Squadrone Rosso

My wife is parting with her GT86 on Tuesday.
 
She's getting a new C-HR limited edition hybrid!! Her motoring needs have changed a lot over the last year with the 86 not being elderly or kid friendly being a particular problem.
 
She's been using my Panda Cross more & more so wanted her own mini SUV. The Panda didn't appeal to her & the 86 isn't compatible with my work car park.
 

 
I'm not too disappointed. My Panda will be making way for an Abarth 595 180 bhp Competizione with the performance pack.
 

 
Car will be at FRF in Swansea. A really minter with every extra fitted.

I get what Lauren is saying completely, and that is a considered opinion she offers.  
You just have to get used to the power delivery, or put it in sport mode, where the engine does not labour so much, and the auto changes happen quicker.  Sadly, it's not really aimed  at those who prize driver involvement and fun at the top of the list.  
Having said that, there are at least three former GT owners on the C-HR forum who, having had doubts about transferring from the GT to the C-HR, have found it to be a satisfying transition (they report).  I am lucky enough to be able to enjoy both.  

The chassis development is clearly there on a B road, and the additional low down weight of the batteries helps on those tight corners.  The steering is great too.  And those primacy 3's really suit the car, and I have not been able to unstick them yet.  But then I might well be too frightened to be trying enough.
Recent club meet

 

Quick maintenance bath this weekend, then took her out to get all dirty again, ready for the next wash.

 
I think I'm in love with this shade of blue, so much so I've booked in for a paint correction to deal with the PO's one bucket full of sand washing regime.

sorry had to laugh at some of your non mods/service changes  
Why not say the whole engine is a bit rusty and fit a turbo/supercharger lol. Very good anyway.  
I'm only mildly modding mine (trying saying that when you're pished) as I have no intention of selling it  

If my engine was knocking I might consider making sure it had oem parts fitted at time of inspection for a watertight case.
If the plugs are OEM equivalent it should be OK though. Shame Fensport don't use OEM service parts.
 

Buy a liberte TAG for the tolls. Available from Eurotunnel as PAYG with a deposit.
 
Being low, tolls are nigh on impossible for the passenger.
 
Worst drivers are by far the Belgians.
 
We went through the Tunnel last year. No issues with a standard car!
 
Enjoy

My supposed daily wearer. Lovely Seiko Sportura

All fixed in minutes

All fixed in minutes

Saw this in Dubai and thought of you guys

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Monaco today.

Just received camera ordered at weekend  Dan at fensport  told me the website hadn't been updated so was showing item out  of stock and to just go ahead and place order and it will go through  Cheers for promt service  

I have one of those somewhere though not on a NATO - must dig it out. Has display back too, which is nice. Ebay bargain about £40 iirc.
Day or date wheel slipped but a guy on PH fixed it for me. Yay!

Another Seiko ( Christmas present )  added to my collection solar powered  Chronograph, the orange hands sort of have an 86 look about them.

Bought myself a cheapie, smarter daily watch but I've actually found myself really liking it:-

It's a Seiko 5 Military.
 

Trusty Seamaster

No issues with the itself, but the surrounding plastic came off of mine after owning the car for only a month or two. Really need to sort that lol

Alternative transport

Its been a couple of years since I've been in those hidden menus but I don't recall seeing anything that I could change....maybe the brightness or contrast but again....can't remember. Either way, there wasn't anything that was needed to be enabled to use the reversing camera, I may have mentioned the menu very early on when first trying to figure out how to get a camera to work but it was just to say that the car already recognised the reverse gear input which will trigger a camera if there was one.
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Install links and images for Fensport Rear View Camera Kit
I've been looking for ages for easy install instructions as my Fensport Kit didn't come with any and everyone online seems to have a different kit with and without harnesses. So here are a few links to videos I used when installing mine. Not all of every video is relevant, but at least all the links are in one place here.
1. Check Head Unit receives signal when reverse is engaged.
Both my brother's and my cars had this already working. Follow this video to access the service menu of the HU. In "General" (I think - have a play - you'll find it) you'll see reverse as "No". Engage reverse (engine doesn't have to be on) and this will change to yes. GREAT!! If this doesn't happen for you, two of the videos below show how to add one wire to inform the HU when reverse is engaged.
Ok so the video doesnt show English headings, but it's essentially the 'navigation volume'...also I think it's more the rate of taps and not the actual number...not sure...but it's easy enough to access. 
2. HU removal and plugging harness into HU - note these videos show tapping etc but the Fensport kit didn't any
 
The video above I found really useful as he installs the exact same camera harness as Fensport into a set up with SatNav, so if you've already got Sat Nav OEM fitted, it's a useful heads up.
3.Video and PDF guide of principles of wiring through boot/trim & cutting hole for camera
http://carboncarsystems.com.au/files/gt86-reverse-cam.pdf

My Panda is on proper Alpine rated M & S four seasons Good Year Vector tyres.
Pretty much unphased by anything other than really slippery rocks.
Lockable 4WD, hill descent control, electronic diff locks, underbody protection & so on.
Winter pack gives you volcanic bum warmers, a proper heated screen & washer jets.
We had a Mk1 Panda 4x4 too. A pre - FIRE version.
Great car but chalk & cheese as the Cross is built extremely well & even standard kit is generous.
It's a tough, loveable honest little car that does everything really quite well

I like where Toyota are at, they seem to be doing a good job of making some more interesting cars. I really like the look of the C-HR and the new Prius is striking too (how cool are those rear lights). Especially compared to the likes of Audi for example, whose styling to me is extremely dull, they tend to tweak the grill and lights ever so slightly and call it "new"

Only saw one from a distance... I'll have another look then.
I did like the current Prius in the metal. It's unusual and interesting in a way Citroens used to be...
Even the GT86 is better in real life then in photos - can look blander in print.
Anyhow - who cares if I think it's pig ugly - beauty in eye of beholder and all that. I have a crush on the Citroen C4 Cactus and the BMW i3 so I'm no one to talk...
It's certainly not boring - that's for sure. If it appeals to you you should go for it
(Not helping am i?)
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I saw one pull out from RRG Macclesfield last week from a distance and initially thought it was a Civic Type R then realised that it was this. Had a closer look in the showroom and I took like the looks of it both inside and out, a mix between a Civic, Evoke and classic Rav4 front. Didn't test drive one though so can't comments on the 1.2 turbo.
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Had a good look at one at FRF Swansea yesterday.
Hugely impressed, completely reinforcing my "affordable car of the show" at Geneva this year.
Stunning to look at, inside & out. Very sporty stance, ditto driving position.
Very decent boot & reasonable space in the rear when set for my driving position.
Not cheap though & engine choices a bit strange / limited but overall, loved it.