The South African Feel Good Thread

[BentAnat]

Also, I am quite chuffed. I got an 86 Jacket with mine. And it's a surprisingly good jacket, that's not too garish. Now if winter could come back so I could wear it (no point wearing it @ 32 degress outside)

[Vladror]

Originally Posted by Fish Eagle

We'll be in CT area for 2 weeks late Oct / early Nov. I know the Cape roads fairly well, but I've never driven them in an 86. My special favourites are Chapman's Peak, Gordon's Bay to Betty's Bay (where that poor guy pranged a few months ago), and Franschoek Pass. Oh, and of course that little piece of open straight road between Colesberg and De Doorns.

Where's your home turf? Maybe we can meet up for a pint and a chat sometime. We'll be staying in Kommetjie for a week, and a few days in Durbanville, then we'll start pottering back up the coast, next stop Hermanus.

Can't wait.

i'm based in camps bay...
my favourite is def the fransschoek pass but you can do it via sir lowry's pass (great in itself, nice long/wide high speed curves) then cut from grabouw to theewaterskloof dam (R321 - nice 180 hairpin in there) and from there to franschhoek.

[Fish Eagle]

There's a guy who lives a few kms up the road from me who owns 2 Ferraris - a black 430 coupe and a red 430 soft-top.

We were next to each other at the filling station this morning, and had a nice chat.
Amazed to find out that he knows a lot about the 86, has glowing praise for it, and wasn't at all toffee-nosed.

What a refreshing surprise - coming from someone who owns 2 cars which each cost about 10x what mine did.

[Jacques Blom]

Today was my first track day. .. Damm it was good! Love the 86 even more :-)

[Fish Eagle]

Another tough day in Africa - Kaapsehoop's Wild Horses...

These horses are totally wild and are all descended from a few horses left behind by the Brits at the end of the Anglo-Boer War in 1902. Incredible that they've survived (and flourished) for 111 years already, which I guess is 10-15 generations or more. There are about 250 of them, normally found in family herds of 3 or 4 up to 20, and they roam an area of about 200 sq kms (10kms x 20kms) along the edge of the escarpment.

Luv 'em. I do a lot of hiking in the area and often encounter them on foot, and they always give me a warm and furry feeling.
Today's encounter was with my 86, so two of my favourite things together.
OK, call it three - Lindy was there too.


Sorry it's such a crappy vid, hurriedly captured on my old Nokia.

[ame]http://youtu.be/AZpl4r6TTBs[/ame]

[Vic_RSA]

Well yesterday was a very important day...

No I didn't race any GTI's or the like, it was merely an anniversary. I celebrated one year to the day that I took delivery of my Crystal Black Silica Toyota 86 Std M/T.

When I checked the odometer when I got to work we had already racked up 22675km. And while some of my fellow club mates regard me as "Captain Slow" with my seemingly endless obsession with fuel consumption and my hesitance for modifications, I can guarantee you - there has seldom been a dull moment. I would have to describe the 86 as a tenacious car that will fight hard even in the presence of superior power and grip and egg its driver on to have a go. Losing a drag race never felt so good...

It is a car that rewards like few others can. Whether it's in the stunning good looks or the way the tail can so easily be provoked into a mild twitch (with VSC and TC on of course) it can still bring a stupid grin to my face every time. It's particular fun in a lonely parking lot with a smooth concrete surface or on a skidpan spinning wildly. It's also fun in a robot race and has so many skills that need to be mastered. While forgiving it is still deadly and demands respect.



Thinking back to a year ago as I was driving home I remember a small boy probably between 9-12 years old pedaling the holy hell out of his BMX to keep up with me just to give me the thumbs-up. That will stay with me forever. The cornering speeds are amazing considering the humble tyres and many of a passenger has gone quiet in the twisties. It has also opened up a whole new world of petrolheads (and gadget freaks) to me expanding my knowledge exponentially. You guys know who you are. Never have I met such a rabid bunch of enthusiasts both old and young. :happy0180:

To date my car hasn't used a drop of oil and has loosened up nicely. My 86 also had a moment of glory despite the humble cosmetic mods and managed a class win on a Dyno day... (you all want to know my secret don't you... )
http://www.twincamclub.co.za/gallery...yno-day-1-rgm/

Can't wait to do more events locally and eventually add some extra trick bits (budget permitting) to what is essentially a great driver's package.

Despite some downs it's been a great year and a great experience driving this car.

I look forward to many more adventurous miles!

[GeeTee86]

Im reading this as I sit in the waiting area at toyota. Busy doing first service, 9700 km. I cant believe how quickly a year has gone by. I still have a smile every time I open the garage.

[Fish Eagle]

And I used to think that Lindy's Impreza Sportwagon looked quite cool...

Getting ready for our roadtrip around the country.
Believe it or not, the blue and white 45Lt coolerbox in the background fits in the trunk.
But I had to remove the plastic lip trim because it only just fits...
Not gonna be short of ice-cold beer!!

[GavinAnt]

I am on 5500km in my BRZ and am really happy with it & find it funny when I get so much attention: once I had a bus load of Japanese tourists delighted to see a BRZ in Africa and they were snapping away like, well, like Japanese tourists!

[Fish Eagle]

Highest point in Gauteng 1903.4m ASL
S26°30.606 E28°15.526

[WLY]

Did u have to take out the spare? Somehow can't picture that cooler box in my 86

[Fish Eagle]

Originally Posted by WLY

Did u have to take out the spare? Somehow can't picture that cooler box in my 86

Yep, I've got a "Marie Biscuit" spare wheel which I nicked from my wife's Impreza, see http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...726#post908726

[BentAnat]

Observations that are pleasant"
- In Windhoek, these things grab attention. Not a drive goes by where someone isn't too busy staring at my car to almost have an accident, miss a light turning green, walks into another car (pedestrians). I literally hear people talking about it every single day. I even had people stop in the middle of the road just to shout "Nice car, dude!".

- I never struggle for service at petrol stations anymore. The attendants jockey for position when they see an 86 indicate to pull in. I have observed this myself, as well as with another 86.

- I get asked "What is that?" a LOT. It helps that I have no badging save for the Toyota logo on the back and the 86 "swastika" on the sides.

- The cornering speeds are immense. If you stay smooth, TC doesn't even blink, and already, passengers go very quiet (sometimes followed by a little giggle).

alll in all - ~1000km in, and loving every kilometre. Not enjoying the days where I can't drive her as much.

[Fish Eagle]

Feeling warm and furry again today

I nearly pulled the trigger on a TRD bootlid spoiler, but just couldn't justify the exorbitant price of almost R5k. After some research on the interweb thingy, my spoiler arrived in the mail yesterday, and I fitted it this morning. It came out exactly how I wanted it - black on orange. Maybe not everyone's cuppa tea, but my roots are back in the 70's and 80's and I love it. The final cost, everything included, was R1479.

So, I've got R3k+ to blow on booze.
Let's party...