The Car Shopping Round (Round 64): Tears in Heaven

4.3 seconds.

4.3 fucking seconds.

I built a Ferrari 348 and was chuffed on 5.2 seconds.

Well then.

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Anything coming soon in terms of judgement? Or are we going to have to Dredd the results a little while longer? :stuck_out_tongue:

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Whhooowww! Dat Non-F40, though :heart_eyes:

Also, I suppose there’s much of a Sunday left where Rk38 lives. I can follow the excitement, but I’m patient :slight_smile:

That thing definitely looks like it belongs in contemporary driving games… OutRun, Chase HQ and the original Test Drive come to mind.

1 Like

Judgment has been completed. Sentencing will begin shortly. Consider this the Final Countdown :wink:

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It’s been a week since our client tasked me with finding them a new ride. I’ve had 32 entries sent in and I’ve been looking at the range of flashy brochures and high tech commercials. Before our client gets a look in we need to separate the wheat from the chaff.

I heard we’re getting the first entries in today. I checked my Casio. Yep, they should be arriving at the docks, it’s still dark and the skies are grey and sodden with rain. I left the safe confines of my apartment, donned my trench coat and slipped a revolver into my waistband. A blue steel and wood S&W Model 19 .357 Magnum that ought to be enough protection for tonight…I hoped at least.

Then I stepped out into the rain soaked streets. Bathed in the bright glow of flickering street lights and neon signs. I hailed a cab and took it to the docks, the weather had scared people from the road. In these quiet hours, the city took on an eerie almost sinister feeling. The driver didn’t speak.

As we pulled up at the docks the water flickered and gleamed with the lights from the nearby ships. Almost hidden behind a thin layer of mist. After I paid the driver he sped away leaving me alone to the darkness. I took a moment get my sense then rushed over to the nearest building. This was the place. The dim lights and big warehouse looked none too safe.

But as I approached this looked like the place. It was a run down old warehouse but inside laid the containers of all the sleek new rides. It was fairly clean. But still scattered with old newspapers, broken pallets and large crates. As I tried to dry myself up I pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Took and drag…Now where to begin.


@Conan - Tishillyman Sagata 3.8 Turbo

The first one to arrive was sitting foreboding in the corner. I cracked it open and as the shipping manifest said it was the Tishillyman Sagata 3.8 Turbo. I remember their brochure…it was pretty high tech but what do you expect from the Germans. That explains the bizarre unpronounceable name I’ll just call it the Sagata Turbo.

Hmmm…let get a look at this thing. As I got it out of the container it was unmistakably a german saloon, some Scandinavian influence too. The whole result was very clean and efficient but also kind of boring. I suppose I ought to give it a test drive. Stepping inside it’s a similar story fairly plain. But smart choices, room for probably around five people. Starting it up it’s turbocharged and inline 6 all seems very german. Flip on the headlights, find the exit, shift it into first and slowly slip out into the rain and empty dockyard.

This thing is so well built you can’t even hear the engine but it’s buttery smooth. Perhaps someone thought we wanted a luxury car but forgot to fit the inside correctly. Oh well, let’s check the acceleration…whoa! Damn this thing is a total rocket ship! 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, that’s nearly as fast as a Ferrari F-40, but still, seats 5! What a Q-Ship.That all-wheel-drive system keeps slip to a minimum and lets you boost along even on these wet roads. This is an interesting ride. It’s plenty safe and pretty practical and reliable but I’m not sure if looks the part for our hero.

@Dorifto_Dorito - OAM Phoenix GTi Overdrive

Next up was the OAM Phoenix GTi Overdrive, now that’s a name you set your watch too! I’ve heard of OAM these guys have a racing cred. They were Group B rally legends who then took on Dakar and Pikes Peak! This should be good then, I remember the commercial they sent us it was extremely advanced stuff.

The container revealed the Phoenix rising from shadows as I rolled it out. The front doesn’t look quite the same I don’t see the two-tone red on the lower grill but rest looks the part. A sleek black coupe with red stripes along the side flared arches and Turbo badging. The 2.8L Turbocharged V6 sat under the hood. Inside it was futuristic upmarket stuff. Leather seats, digital display, ABS, power steering and airbags. Although I noticed there wasn’t a stick shift but instead a 4-speed slushbox.

Well let’s get it out onto the docks. The V6 lacks the silky smoothness of the Sagata Turbo or its rocket ship acceleration. But it’s still faster than M3, the auto makes it a breeze to drive helps limit slip in these conditions. Although it’s down on power to the Sagata it’s just as good. If not slightly better in the corners and extended testing showed no issues with the brakes at all.

It’s a shame the engine is so muted by the exhausts. But I think we might be keeping this for our client to test. Although it doesn’t quite live up to the sporty pretensions this is still a great car.

@abg7 - NMI Arrowhead 5.7

Now our first real entry with pop up headlights! The NMI Arrowhead 5.7 is also the first V8 and naturally aspirated engine here. The design is very modern and sleek even more that the Phoenix. Out back a clean all in one tail lights and huge quad exhausts hopefully we’ll be able to hear that engine roar this time. Like the Phoenix, the interior is a feast of modern technology. Although a bit more basic with orange tinted analogue gauges and thankfully a 5-speed box.

I jump in and flick on the lights and enjoy satisfying flip as the light rise from under the bonnet. Illuminating the barren warehouse. Turning the key finally a rumbling V8 comes to life. Alright, let’s see what you’ve got I slam it into first and light up the tyres. The Arrowhead slides out of the warehouse and onto the wet dock roads.

Oh, nice this thing handles well. The tyres manage to give it excellent grip even better than the AWD Sagata or Phoenix. This is a proper sports car! Around a track, I bet this could take on both of them and win but nothing’s beating that Sagata off the line.

Still this has to be right up there near a 911 Turbo or Quattro Sport and it stops on a dime too. Keeping with a natural aspiration has given this OHV V8 a much more immediate response. but it pays for it with far high fuel economy. The choice of so much exhaust muffling was odd but it still gave a fair nice rumble. While the interior is fairly simple.

It’s very well built and it’s simple design and NMI’s reputation mean this should be pretty reliable. I think our client would like to test this out.

@nialloftara - Centauri Panther 5700Zi

Next up was the Centauri Panther 5700Zi. This was quite a looker, very flowing line what a babe! Although I’m not quite sure why it need so many indicators…at least you’ll be safe turning a corner. Nonetheless the overall it’s totally awesome. Looks fast just sitting here.

It’s design begs you to take it for a spin. Inside it’s familiar to the Arrowhead but with a much nicer sound system. Looking closer the similarities don’t end there as they both have OHV V8s. Starting it up it has nice V8 rumble. Lighting it up around the docks it seems very closely matched with the Arrowhead.

The only area it sneaks ahead is fuel economy but not by much. Still, it’s a great looking car and performance is right up there so we’ll keep it for our client to test.

@DeusExMackia - Erin Scarlet X 3.8

Now I was looking forward to this one. I knew from the tags this one’s an Erin that plucky British brand known for its sporty car and racing history. I’d seen their flashy adverts their designs were cutting edge. As the container opened it was the Scarlet model or X 3.8 trim. Well like the Arrowhead it’s another very sleek design. But this one has a decidedly British flavour. Which gives it an air of European sophistication.

Stepping inside you can see this car is a step above the rest so far. It is all sports car, race seats, high-quality sound system all setup in a very driver-focused way. Oddly enough the folks at Erin had included a mixtape. Not wanting to disappoint I thought I’d take a final drive in darkness.

I fired the engine into life and flicked the switch bringing those headlights up and on. Immediately the engine stood out from the other V8s I’d driven so far. It was a futuristic DOHC all alloy setup and boy what a gem! Super responsive and sounded great too. The mixtape made me resist the urge to power slide out of the warehouse.

Instead I took things slow sliding seductively to the tune of the pacific state. The music guided me out of the dock and onto the interstate. Before I knew it I was approaching its top speed of 263 km/h which left the rest of the entries so far in the dust. But speed isn’t everything.

So I took the nearest exit and headed back to the docks. I switched off the premium sound system. Let’s hear the car speak for itself. Performance wise. Drifting around the port I felt this was very matched to the Panther and Arrowhead. 0-100 km/h was point for point with the Arrowhead.

The Scarlet’s downside is its expense and poor fuel economy. Yet I preferred the more advanced and responsive engine of the Scarlet. It’s certainly the best engine I’ve tested out of the bunch. Plus its cockpit was a fair bit nicer place to be so I think we need to keep this around for our client to test out.

@doncornaldie - 226L

I was a bit confused when I came across my next entry it was the 226L. They were a very modest company as they refused to label their company besides the 226L badging. Still, it was fairly clear it was a German brand. As they love their jumble of numbers and letters and actually think this looks like some of the DTM racers.

The exterior is typical German sports saloon. Subtle, understated with nothing to hint at performance. Besides the massive wheels and the huge spoiler. Now stepping inside was a surprise as it was full of luxury, leather seats, all the latest tech even ABS. Looking closer I realise it those germans were short changing me again. The sounds system was fairly standard and so was the safety package. If you wanted the full luxury suite you’d have to pay extra for all the options.

On top of that, I think I’ve heard the 226L wasn’t the most reliable thing around and fuel economy was the worst yet. But perhaps it’ll make it up with performance like the Sagata. As I head out the to the docks the morning breaks but the clouds persist. Its exhaust is louder than expected allowing me to hear this turbocharged inline six. It wasn’t too bad but it has a very short red line. It returned a 0-100 in 7.1 seconds making it the slowest tested yet.

Still faster than a Supra Turbo. Driving back to the warehouse I was a bit disappointed. The 226L is a vehicle with a lot of odd design choices. It’s too slow and heavy to be a proper sports sedan. Yet it’s also too unrefined and yet also not well equipped enough to be a true luxury sedan. Sadly that is where we leave the 226L. For return to Germany.

@HighOctaneLove - Bogliq Slyde Turbo

Next up is a nice sleek white coupe…wait this must be a mistake on the manifest it says Bogliq but this car is white? I didn’t even know they made cars in other colours! It’s the Slyde Turbo I’ve seen these around and always wanted to check one out. The design is totally bodacious as they say. The back is angry and aggressive the only strange thing is the rather long door handles. But I guess Slyde drivers have big hands?

Stepping inside its low sports car entry. Yet oddly the wheel and gear stick are wood trimmed. Interesting choice. The leather seats are nice and the CZ-Audio tape sound system is excellent. This is the first Inline 4 of the day. It’s turbocharged. Let’s see if it can cut it with the big boys. The rears light up easy as I boost out onto the dockyard. It’s not quite as grippy as most of the rest but still better than the Phoenix in the corners and off the line, it’s faster too.

Yet it does have some very strange choices like the magnesium rims that don’t add much over standard alloy rims. But It’s pretty good overall. Yet that’s not enough for it to make it into the big league with the others. Back into the container, it goes.

@Mythrin - Versal Etesia GTS

The next vehicle I tested was was the Versal Etesia GTS. Now I thought those german sedans were understated. this Etesia GTS is a very clean design and gives no hint of sporting potential beyond the smart 15’ alloy wheels. Don’t get me wrong it looks good, modern but well I’m not quite sure this is what our client is looking for looks wise.

Now inside it’s a proper premium cruiser with all the modern touches and gauges and square as it’s fenders. So futuristic! Doesn’t look like the sound system is as advanced. But still a nice place to be these leather seats are good and the power windows and sunroof! Starting up the engines I don’t see a boost gauge so it must be another naturally aspirated engine.

It’s a big cast SOHC V6 so it should give some kick. It goes well but they have limited power right as the engine hits its peak. I’m not sure why it’s they limited it like this must be something to do with all the economy features. I think the manual said something about special low emission pistons.

Still I doubt the reliability would have taken much of a hit with more the redline extended a bit more. Anyway, it was still quicker than an RX7 off the line just shy of the Phoenix. But unfortunately the strange choices on the engine and relatively tame exterior. Don’t make this a right fit for our buyer.

@Fayeding_Spray - Antonidas Scorcher

So my next crate listed Antonidas Scorcher on the list. Now I’ve never heard of this brand before but this looks like a usual muscle car. Very mean looking with a really short hatch like fastback design. As expected it has a naturally aspirated OHV V8 under the hood.

Yet I noticed it actually have a fully independent suspension. So perhaps it’s not your average muscle car. Insides it’s fairly standard stuff in classic muscle look. Round gauges and four racy looking standard seats. Starting it up it’s a nice rumble, off the line this thing really pulls. It’s 0-100 in 5.6 seconds very quick and right up near the Scarlet and Arrowhead.

Thanks to that suspension double wishbone all around like every car tested so far. It’s great around the bends, especially for a muscle car. It’s pretty good value but while it’s not the best on fuel although not the worse that honour belongs to the 226L. I think it’s style and performance earn it a place for review by our client.

@DoctorNarfy - Shromet Interval 340GT

The next on the list was the Shromet Interval 340GT. Now this car is a looks very modern with the single light bar look up front. The brochure says it’s a luxury coupe with a rear mounted with an inline six. I can why they would call it a luxury couple besides the interior is very luxurious. But the exterior looks a bit more like a sports car with the big wing.

Stepping insides this is an extremely comfortable place. Only two seats with full electrics and leather along with a fully digital dash. The tape deck is pretty premium not quite as good as I expected but very nice. The other interesting things about this car is the body isn’t steel or doesn’t even use aluminium panels.

Instead, uses the Shromet ‘advanced Thermoset Polymer construction’. Which is what makes this the lightest vehicle tested so far. So this should make it fairly quick off the line. It’s about as quick off the line as the Phoenix GTi but thanks to it’s lighter weight it’s slightly better in the corners. Oddly enough it’s only got a four-speed manual box the first of any vehicles tested here. Overall it’s not the right fit for our client so it’s got to go.

@Madrias - Sinistra Warrior SE-4

Now we have a real wildcard here. The Sinistra Warrior SE-4 is a surprisingly sleek compact four-wheeler. Kind of like a some of the other. So-called ‘sports utility vehicles’ that have been starting to become quite popular. But I doubt they’ll catch on. I’m sure the days of manual sports cars will never die.

This mini SUV only has a basic SOHC naturally aspirated Inline four. But inside it has a nice premium look and feel. It’s nothing like the 4x4 I’m used to looking at it’s more like an entry level luxury executive sedan. Leather seats, woodgrain trims and nice premium sound system.

Starting it up and driving out to the docks it’s extremely easy to drive. Plus for an SUV it’s actually pretty nippy and thanks to the all-around double wishbones. I’d say it’s probably even better than Phoenix GTi. Because of stiffer suspension and better tyres. But it is the slower off the line vehicle here but actually faster than the Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD. It’s one of the cheapest vehicles to run.

While I appreciate the strong design choices and out of the box thinking of this vehicle. I really don’t think it’s right choice for our client.

@NormanVauxhall - BMMA Salmon GT-Sprint

Now, this is an entry I’ve been looking forward too since I noticed the brochure. This entry shows what happens when a company they set their mind to something. Outside gone is the usual styling and instead, it’s like a fully blown Group B homogenisation. It’s not a sleek smooth sports car shape we’re seeing a lot now. Instead it’s a mean angry sharp and sexy sports car. Huge wings, vents and huge fog lamps.

It’s called the BMMA Salmon GT-Sprint. I’ve heard of BMMA and they are pretty well acclaimed and have some great racing pedigree. Inside its fairly standard affair. Not quite as luxury as the other cars we’ve seen but still it’s crispy well set out gauges as you’d expect from BMMA. Safety is top notch with ABS too. I noticed it’s also a turbocharged and all wheel drive. Alright, enough talk I need to test this out.

I don my wayfarers and crank it. All four wheel spinning it pulls me right out of the warehouse and onto the dockyard. The AWD helps the traction and gives it as a sense of security. I think besides maybe the Arrowhead this is one of the best handling cars here.

Off the line, it’s no slouch either it’s nearly as fast the Scarlet and Arrowhead equaling the Scorchers time. The great thing about the Salmon is how easy it is to drive. Yet it still packs a punch while it’s down on power to it’s large NA V8 rivals. The six is also super smooth and all wheel drive system give you a very handy package. It’s also not too bad on fuel and when you factor in running costs along with buying it.

Well it’s quite the deal. I’ll be keeping this around for when our client comes to test drive it. I’ll just leave this mixtape of John Carpenter’s Greatest Hits in the tape deck.

@lordvader1 - LVC ARCA ARCHA

The next up was an entry from LVC, called the Arca Archa. Revealing itself from the confines of the shipping container. It’s a fully blown supercar! This thing looks incredible it’s a rich deep black. It’s got pop-up headlights, subtle but nice front end. Then all these awesome vents down the side and even sunroof up top.

Oh boy, I can’t wait to see this one top the charts with its performance. Inside it’s straight to business only two seats in here it all looks pretty standard but nicely sporty. Black plastics and all the gauges you need including a boost gauge. Aww yeah, this is gonna be good! I fire it up and it sounds a little quiet. Let’s open that sunroof and get those lights up. Shift it into first and launch it out into the docks.

Disappointedly it seems a bit down on power. Off the line, this thing has to be the third slowest thing I’ve tested yet. Beating out only an SUV and big German Saloon. To figure out what’s the problem I open up the hood and find it’s only a little four cylinder. Ah well, let’s give it a run around the docks anyway. Handling wise it’s pretty good although it really likes to break way and drift. The engine suffers from a similar issue to the Versal Etesia in that the red line cuts off the engine a bit too early. I’m not sure what the designers where thing perhaps it’s because of the cheap cast crack…I don’t know.

But fuel economy and servicing cost all very good and It’s saving grace is its extremely low purchase price. At only $14,690 it’s the cheapest car tested yet. I just wish they’d spend that extra cash on improving its performance and fixing a few issues and it could be a real gem.

Ultimately, it’s sporting pretensions and supercar looks. Don’t quite match up to actual performance. This mismatch sadly dooms the car. It may look like an exotic like the F-40 but it’s actually slower than a 300ZX Turbo or even M3. So back into the crate, it goes. It’s a real shame as I really loved the way this thing looked.

@JohnWaldock - JHW Jetstream Turbo

Now we have any entry from JHW called the Jetstream Turbo. The container opened to reveal a fairly unassuming but attractive coupe. It has an interesting but very large integrated headlight, indicator setup. It’s a very clean modern design without any real hint of sporting nature. Insides is a nice modern plush premium leather interior with four seats.

All the goodies and great sound system, ABS and other standard safety gear. Modern gauges with a boxy square dash, very nice and modern. The engine is a DOHC V6 turbocharged. It’s a bit quiet at startup and it’s mated to a four-speed manual box.

Off the line, it goes well just under six seconds to 100km/h. It holds up well in the corners thanks to a geared LSD, good tyres and setup. Fuel economy is fairly alright it’s reasonably priced and fairly cheap to run.

But in the end, it’s a good car that performs well in most areas but never really stands out. Because of that, it can’t quite match the best of the rest here. Our client needs a design that really stands out so back to the shipping container it goes.

@Mikonp7 - EcaMobile Modern Talking

The box was already opened and this was an entry from EcaMobile. called the Modern Talking and very strangely named vehicle. The car looks fairly typical sports car profile. It has large headlamps, with smaller indicators below. The side gets some nice chrome strips which give a sporting flair. Sorely needed to really make the design noteworthy. The blacked out spoiler is a nice touch too.

Insides it’s clear the designers spend much of their type. Crafting a truly premium experience. It’s a proper sports vehicle with racy hugging seats, light and driver focused. oddly named car offers amazing performance matched with premium prestige.

But is, unfortunately, let down due to a few issues and one fatal flaw. The styling is a little plain upfront, the name is very odd but worse of all. The engine strangled before it can reach peak performance. If only the redline was a little further away.

An interesting choice of this vehicle is its automatic locking differential. Which gives a rather jarring and violent jerking as you feel. As the drive line shift the power around. But this car has potential but our hero won’t be testing it. Back into the crate, it goes…

@laffinghyena - 822Street

Next up was an entry from…well I’m not sure really. The tag only reads 822Street. It’s a bright yellow sports coupe that draws clear influence from a certain German brand. It’s a clean but nicely styled front end with pop-up headlights and a whale tail up the back. The brochure says it’s used the latest microprocessors. For its engine electronics which sounds impressive.

Inside it’s a fully blown sports car with only two seats. Driver-focused controls, high-tech sound system, ABS and all the usual rest. Under the hood, it’s packing a DOHC cast iron V8 without a turbo. But then it doesn’t even need it as it really goes! It may look like a similar number named coupe. But it goes ahead and smashes that certain German coupe in performance.

This thing is a demon at speed and the fastest car tested so far with 0-100 in 4 seconds dead. Handling is matched up with the best here and it even stops on a dime. Insides it’s fully premium and plush with not issues. But I find the engine hits the redline a little too soon, so you have to watch you shifting. It doesn’t cut the power at the peak like the Modern Talking but it could get a bit annoying.

Anyway, like the certain German sports coupe. The handling is extremely good until you suddenly reach the limit and get snap oversteer. Which isn’t a problem on this big mostly empty dockyard. But out on the streets, it could be a deal breaker. Nonetheless, I think our client will want to check this thing out.


To be continued…

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looks like trying to create a bigger mr2 flopped

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It seems my idea of an emission muzzled sedan wasn’t quite what the buyer was after, but the rest of the competition looks great. I’d most certainly buy a Salmon GT-sprint.

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And here I thought having a 3.8 liter I4 would have at least gotten a mention for fitting such a big engine in such a small SUV.

Still, glad to see that even if it’s not continuing onward, it got mentioned for what it is, a wild-card.

And I’m glad it’s cheap-ish to run.

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well, i suppose i’ll take “very good, but no excelling features”. i tried a rounded approach, but it’s maybe too rounded.

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I f&^/n love the way it is presented! Gave me the thrills reading it while listening to synthwave :sunglasses:

Hoping that the little racing pedigree I so far had with Taore (Tare back then) will be enough to be recognized. There would’ve been the Pratinum in the Dalnit Bralka Rally, which was more perseverant than performant.

8 Likes

After reading the introduction:
:heart: - standard for CSR
:heart: - for the opening gif
:heart: - for the introduction
:heart: - for the 80s mood
:heart: - for the reviews - they might not be anything incredible, but I really like them :slight_smile:
:heart: - for those photoshops seen while scrolling here

So, how can I give you these additional 5 likes? :smile:

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@ramthecowy - Ryujin

Much like the preceding entry, this one comes with an odd name. It’s simply called the Ryujin. So I’m assuming it’s a Japanese vehicle judging by the name but I don’t have much else to go on.

Opening up the container I’m met with a striking design and colour the Ryujin. A plum purple. It’s a nice design with an interesting quad circular pop-up headlights. A sleek simple front end. Insides only two seats but it’s nothing fancy. Very standard stuff as you’d expect from the Japanese or wherever it comes from.

No complains here our client didn’t ask for a luxury GT car after all. This has a big modern naturally aspirated V8 mounted mid-transverse like an exotic. This is the loudest car tested so far with a straight pipe. It’s a great performer around the docks. It’s quick, although no match from the 822Street but still right up there matching the 911 Turbo.

But it also suffers from the dangerous snap oversteer of 822 Street. Making it an enjoyable if somewhat challenging drive. But overall it’s very competitive package that our client will want to check out.

@ApocalypticInfinity - ACC UDX

Next up was the ACC UDX according to the shipping tags. Now UDX stands for something I’m told but has yet to find out. Opening the container this thing looks like nothing else I’ve seen. It’s like it’s back from the future! The design seems like it’s almost a decade into the future with curves and around shapes. How have they could have created such a machine?

They must have some very advanced computer systems at the ACC design studios. Inside it’s a similar story with a premium feel and great sound systems and standard safety and all the rest. Only two seats though nice and plush leather ones. Under the hood is a modern turbocharged inline six. I went to head out to test it around the docks. But unfortunately this futuristic design. Suffers from the same fatal flaw as the EcaMobile.

The nice smooth six cuts off right have it hits it’s red line. But in this case it the cut off preserves the cheap cast internal components. I guess they were trying to cut costs after spending all the money on that futuristic exterior. But a car is nothing if it does not enjoy the driver with enjoyment behind the wheel. So this rules this out of the running for our client. Back to the container, it goes.

@Nomade0013 - Gamma Guara Turbo

The manifest said the next entry was the Gamma Guara Turbo. I’ve never heard of it probably comes from some third world country. Well, let’s get this container open and check it out. Inside they’ve certainly got the looks down. Pop-up headlights, hood scoop, massive fog lamps very pleasing design.

Insides it’s a fairly standard place with cloth seats for four an auto box. But a great sound system really premium stuff. Can’t be that bad a country this have advanced ABS and the latest safety features to even power steering. Let’s give her a spin around the docks.

Well, it’s faster than many Japanese coupes like the RX7 or 300ZX Turbo. But against the fearsome pack here it just can’t keep up. Interestingly this doesn’t use the double wishbone system like nearly all the rivals. Instead of opting for a McPherson strut and Semi-trailing arm setup. Which actually performs rather well.

But the automatic locking differential is also an odd choice. It ruins the smooth automatic ride with its jerky power transfers around the bends. So while I like it and the design has a lot of heart. It does not match the rest here and so it goes back to the ship.

@TheElt - BM Beam

Now this container reveals an entry from BM with the Beam. A little green hatchback that looks more like a rally car than a road car. The styling is a little plain but subtly aggressive but you can kind of tell this means business.

Inside it’s all the usual standard stuff four cloth seats, tape deck sound system, and usual safety gear even ABS. It’s all wheel drive so that should be interesting. A big naturally aspirated V6 under the hood. I go to take it out to the dock but damn this steering is heavy! Oh, no power steering in this brute.

Alright, let’s see what it’s got. It spins up all the wheels and powers up to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds impressive. Damn impressive. It’s almost like a road going version of that Austin Metro Group B entry. After enjoying some quality testing around the docks. I headed back and noticed the fuel gauge dropped a fair bit.

Looking at the technical specs it’s actually got the worse fuel economy of all the cars tested here. Which make it rather expensive to maintain besides the 226L it’s very pricy running costs.

So while a very impressive ride. all the pieces don’t quite come together and it’s not exactly what our client had in mind. So back into the container it must go.

@koolkei - Komodo Scalar 4Drive

Next up was a shipment from Komodo Motors that interesting Japanese brand. Usually only know them for their small economical cars. But let’s see what we have behind these doors…Oh this looks good.

Similar formula to the BMMA nice red colour our client will like that. Big hood scoop very nice clean design but kind of aggressive. Still could use a spoiler but otherwise great. What’s it like inside. Interestingly only two seats in here so tons of room out the back.

It’s pretty classy premium stuff leather seats, wheel and even some high tech stuff. Like climate control, heated seats, electric windows. along with some advanced safety tech like ABS.

The sound system is pretty normal looks like its from the parts bin of their regular cars but not bad. Gotta hand it to those Japanese they know how to equip a car Detroit could learn a thing or two from them.

The ad said it it’s the Komodo Scalar 4Drive and it’s got a straight-six turbocharged under the hood. It’s nice a smooth and push the Scalar off the line and too 100 km/h in only 5.6 seconds equalling the BMMA. Thanks to good suspension setup, geared LSD and AWD it takes the bends well.

Overall It’s a good performer and still relatively economical considering. But it is more expensive to keep running. Especially compared to the similar BMMA Salmon GT-Sprint. But I think our client will like to check this one out himself.

@Leedar - Boyd Serpent Turbo

So unlocking the next container revealed another German-inspired coupe. Much like the 822Street in profile. Very clean minimalist design. It’s well equipped with a premium sporty interior with two seats and all the latest safety tech. But only a regular sound system.

As the brochure states, it makes a statement. It’s not a practical design but nor should it. Let’s give it a good test drive around the docks it’s got a modern DOHC inline six turbos so should be good. It’s not as quick as I was expecting but around the same as the Bogliq Slyde Turbo maybe a bit slower but that sort of level.

Handling it pretty well but outclassed by many here. It also suffers from an aggressive redline cut off at peak power. Despite the engine internal looking more than capable of handling a higher redline. While reliability would take a hit.

Overall driving experience and performance would greatly benefit from it. It’s a shame since it looked good. If perhaps a bit plain it was nearly there. All the ingredients of a great sports coupe and just needs a few tweaks and it’d be golden. But for our client, it’s not going to cut it so back to the ship.

@thecarlover - CM Quebec SC

This entry took a fair bit of extra effort to get to unlocked. There was some sort of fault on the shipping container and took some ingenuity to get it open. But I was instantly rewarded with an awesome looking coupe. It’s the CM Quebec SC that’s Canada Motors for those of you who don’t know.

It should be good too as they have a history filled with racing pedigree. Pioneering 4x4 and AWD vehicles on the rally scene. They even sneak into the occasional Nascar event. So that should mean good things with this AWD V8 Coupe.

It’s sleek modern understated yet aggressive styling is very nice. Insides it’s matched with plush leather seats, all the modern gauges, premium sound system. Plus high-tech safety gadgets. Although I notice there isn’t any boost gauge. So no turbo here. It sounds good from the modern V8.

As I head out to the docks and really start to pump it. I notice it’s not quite as grippy as some of the others here could be down to the tyres. But off the line, it’s a bit sluggish amongst the impressive crowd here. Sure it’s faster than an M3 and Matches the RX7.

But it still seems a bit more like a GT than an out and out sports car. It’s an impressive machine with an impressive price tag to match. But wish it came with a turbocharged version to really make use of that sleek design. Because then it could stand up to the best of them here.

@LordLetto - Letto Crown Victoria

The next container was already unloaded when I got there and wait. Oh crap! What’s this detective doing here…oh it’s just our next entry. Yeah, this is more like the cars that would be…umm ‘visiting’ our client on his ‘peaceful’ trips through the night. It looks like a design without any innovation of this year like 70s car rebodied for this decade.

Inside and out that’s pretty much true. Oddly though the designers decided to created all the panels from aluminium. Which has got to be expensive?

Why I couldn’t say as it’s by far the slowest least sporty entry so far. It’s a large bordering on a huge premium sedan. The type suited for those wanting to be riding around in the back rather that stuck with driving it.

Overall I’d be happy if the taxi I took here was comfy as this…but for our client. No, it goes back in the crate. It was a bold wildcard entry that clearly didn’t read too carefully between the lines of our request.

@phale - Adenine Mist

The tags lists the next entry is from Adenine. Ah, that quirky American brand that so alternative you’d almost mistake them for an import. Well, here they’ve sent the Adenine Mist.

I got to this container just in time to see the door reveal a peppy little compact sports car. It has a sleek modern design and very Asian influences. I kind of like it but that over the top massive wing is sending F-40 style signals That I doubt the rest of the car and back up.

Inside its pretty standard plastics and grey interior, you’d expect from Adenine. Nice well built with simple yet clear and simple gauges. Everything is well laid out if a little clinical. Under the hood is a fairly simple looking SOHC all cast inline-four turbocharged. Ugh is this going to be the LVC Arca Archa all over again?

I hope not! I start her up and she boosts all the way out the warehouse and from 0-100 in 5.9 seconds. It’s not the quickest here but damn it stick to the ground like glue. Probably the best handling car I’ve tested so far.

Thanks in part to the nicely geared five-speed box and the geared LSD. To top it all off it gets some of the best mileage of the bunch here. Coupled with low-cost and extremely cheap running costs. It certainly earns its place among the finalist but the question is will our client like it as much as I did?

@oppositelock - GSI Butzi BiTurbo

This container revealed a teal sports coupe with a very familiar shape. Another very understated and minimalist design with pop-up headlights and whale tail. In a very bold an innovative approach the designers have done away with rear taillights. I question this decision on grounds of safety and wonder how it ever made it to production this way.

But maybe they do something different in whatever country. The GSI originates from and we’re not exactly doing things by the book here so I guess I can’t complain. Inside you’ve got four plush leather seats, leather wheel, stick, power windows, a/c and high-tech sound system. Even ABS and other standard safety stuff. It’s a bit conventional and plain much like the exterior. But nothing offensive but it does seem it like its a bit stilted.

Under the hood though is a high-tech all-alloy DOHC turbocharged V8 making the most power of any design here. So let’s see how it puts down the power…Whoa! Damn this thing is a monster! A truly an insane creation…it’s faster than a Ferrari F-40!

Without question the fastest entry here both in outright speed and off the line with sub 4 second times. Quarter mile in under 12 seconds damn! Around any track, I bet this thing would crush the rest.

Amazingly it still manages a fairly good 11.15l/100km fuel economy. It’s not even the most expensive car to buy here or run. A very impressive machine hinted behind a sleek if not almost unfinished exterior. Our client will definitely want to check this out. If for nothing else then it’s outstanding performance.

@Strop - Matteo Miglia Merlo Turbo

Up next was an entry from Matteo Miglia an Italian company. The doors of the container opened to unveil as striking machine. Wow, now this thing looks like really is a proper Italian supercar. It’s in a deep dark mystical sort of colour. It certainly looks like something set to take on the mighty Ferrari.

I think it looks great the front is nice. If a little plain and wanting. But it’s really the side profile and back where you see this thing really stands out looks the business. Vents sticking out all over the place and that big wing and a central exhaust at the tail. I was thinking this must be a real race car.

But inside surprisingly it’s all proper premium quality. Leather seats, wheel, gear stick and parts of the dash itself. Only two seats naturally. Sound system, safety and everything else look pretty normal, though. This one’s a SOHC flat plane V8 turbocharged. The gauges are fairly classic circular with that typical Italian flair.

I noticed in the booklet it comes with says it’s got magnesium rims and only a viscous LSD. These are some odd choices. That LSD puts it somewhat at a disadvantage against many of the geared LSD rivals. Well, let’s test it out anyway. I take here out slow I don’t want it to scrap anything. I light it up and it sprints to 100 km/h in only 4.3 seconds.

Not as fast as the insane GSI Butzi BiTurbo or even the 822 Street but still damn quick! In fact, that’s beating the F-40! It feels sporty, with nice gear shifts. Something tells me straight line speed isn’t everything for this one. In the corners, it sticks like nothing else. Bar none this is the best handling car beating out the Mist and Arrowhead in the bends. Around a track, nothing save for that GSI Butzi would beat it.

But this is definitely the most sporty car yet. Fuel economy is actually not too bad. Compared especially compared to the naturally aspirated rivals left standing. It’s even pretty good value upfront at only $19,110 but as you’d expect from an exotic it’s kind of pricey to keep running. Still, overall our client will very much want to see this one that’s for sure!

@4LGE - Taore RZ-2000 Turbo

This container revealed the Taore RZ-2000 Turbo which really looks the part. Modern awesome graphics pop-up headlights turbo, one bar tail lights across the back. It all looks soo good I’m 100% certain this styling will never get old. Insides it means business.

It’s a proper sports car with modern orange tinted gauges, including boost one. Only two seats, the radio, and rest looks standard no ABS in this just skill. Under the hood is a very modern four cylinder I wonder if it can keep up with the stiff competition here.

I take her out for a spin and it’s nice but off the line, it’s only doing around 6 and bit seconds. Which is great but amongst this group I’m not sure it’s going to cut it. But then I notice an interesting button mounted within the modern and boxy dash. It says ‘TURBODRIVE’.

Well, let’s see what this down….Oh hell yeah! Now we’re talkin’. It raised the boost by some margin and give it a real kick. Now it’s clocking times to match the competition around 5 and bit seconds. It’s only RWD but the geared LSD keeps it planted. It holds and sticks into the corners not as well as say the Mist or Merlo but it certainly matches the AWD BMMA.

Thanks to the button it still returns pretty good fuel economy and it’s not too pricey to buy or to run. I think our client will have to check this one out.

@MarcoAlla - LAMBDA INTEGRALE 16v

Next up was a container from LAMBDA. It revealed a beautiful Group-B Legend a Delta S4. Wait…no, not it’s a Delta Group A. It’s an amazing replica of the incredible Lancia rally car. But this one gives you a beautiful three door version.

We’ve all dreamed about ever since that thing hit the rally scene this year. It’s like a Group B legend and the Group A had a baby and this was it. Inside it’s a proper sports car with four racing-style seats and a rally inspired grippy wheel. But thankfully you get a plush sound system, power steer, ABS and some really modern safety tech.

Under the hood is an Inline four cylinder with a cast block and alloy head. Turbocharged and matched to a five-speed box. Now let take it out for a run on the docks!

Hmm… it performs extremely well right up with the best here. But something a bit odd with the engine. It seems to be having the same issue a few cars have had the engine redline cuts in right at peak power. I have no idea why this would be the case as the engine certainly seems willing and strong. But it really spoils what is otherwise a beautiful and well-performing car.

It’s an absolute shame as the car looks outstanding and was well equipped. The handling despite that lack of any LSD was great too. Fuel economy and cost to run and buy were all within reason. But that fatal flaw with the engine dooms the otherwise brilliant entry. So back into the container it goes.

@TR8R - First Order Automotive Hunt DCi

Now this container has any entry from First Order Automotive. It’s called the Hunt DCi. The doors open and out pops a bright red little fastback coupe. Certain Audi influence at the front quite nice and some subtle vents low down.

Apparently, it’s featured in “Life on Ashes” but I wouldn’t know as I don’t watch much TV. It’s an AWD inside you use this awesome gullwing door but the interior is another premium experience.

You get leather seats, all the goodies great sound system. ABS, power steering but nothing too fancy with the safety gear. Under the hood, I don’t know how but they’ve put an all-alloy V12 SOHC naturally aspirated in here.

Incredible it’s a great performer so damn smooth. Off the line, it pulls sub five second times to 100km/h. Handles very nicely too thanks to a great suspension, AWD and geared LSD. Overall a solid performer so I think our client should check it out.

@szafirowy01 - Zavir Aera Turbo

Tags show an entry from Zavir, Oh yes Zavir. I’ve heard of them they’ve got a fair bit of racing history and some Italian flair this entry could be good. This container opens to let forth a blue beauty. The Zavir Aera Turbo a coupe that draws influence from several of the other brands we’ve tested.

But here it puts a distinct styling spin of its own. The advert claims this is ‘quite probably the coolest sports car in the known universe.” Now there’s a bold claim! There is no denying it’s a sleek design. Nice hood scoop, spoiler and sleek low tail.

Inside you’ve got two seats. Proper sporty ones too much like the rest of the interior. It’s lightweight and driver focused with only a basic sound system. But there are some luxury features like power steering. Plus ABS but the rest is just standard safety gear.

Under the hood, it packs only a small inline fully alloy four cylinder DOHC turbocharged. This gives it a run to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds just short of a 911 Turbo but well into good company among the entries. Now in the corners, this thing is amazing only bested by the Matteo Miglia Merlo Turbo. A lovely drivers car so it earns its place to see our client.

@titleguy1 - Kimura Eminence

Hmm…an entry from Kimura that big Japanese company. I’m surprised we haven’t seen anything from Saminda or Seishido for that matter. The container opens to reveal. Hmm… this is strange it looks like a compact executive car.

Not some high tech sleek Japanese sports coupe with Turbos and every gadget added. Well, it’s a nice looking car. It could give a 5 Series a run for its money, in fact, this is more like the type of car my client is likely to be chasing. Inside it’s nicely appointed with all the premium features you’d expect from the Europeans. Plus all modern electronics these Japanese cars seem to have. Even if it does seem a bit duller and lacking that flair you find in some Europeans entries.

It’s nicely equipped ABS, power everything, leather seats for four. Along with all the latest safety would you expect anything less from them. I mean their adverts were high tech. Inside the gauges are very modern. Although I guess automatic transmission is an extra cost as this is a 5-speed box. Still, should make it more fun to drive. Starting up the sadly non-turbocharged V6.

It goes well nearly catching an M3 off the line and actually beating the Supra Turbo. For an executive sedan, it’s very impressive handling and driving car. You can see why the Japanese are taking over everything. But of course, it’s badly outmatched here.

It compares well with the CM Quebec SC which is a bit faster but it doesn’t handle as well and is a bit more thirsty. It’s a bit of a V8 killer in that regard. You can see why designs like the Letto Crown Victoria are going the way of the dinosaur.

When both that new fangled Sinistra Warrior SE-4 SUV and this V6 are eating it alive. In every performance measure. But in the end, this isn’t really what our client is looking for in a car. So while it’s a great car it won’t work out here so it’s going back into the container.


To be continued…

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…How in the world are you dishing these reviews out so quickly? I applaud you, dude, you’re a freakin’ machine!

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he has no time to reply. he is writing the reviews

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@Rk38 Wow. Man. This is some next level shit. The style, the quality of writing, the artwork… I am beyond impressed. Screw the results, this is amazing as it is! :grin:

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I wish I had your writing skills!
Nice work!
:clap:

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I hope you won’t mind if I use your fantastic review and photoshop in my Zavir thread? :slight_smile:

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Well, After Reading the 1st Set of Reviews, I Knew It’d go back in the Container. I Wasn’t Sure what I Should be going for from the Start, As I Was Looking at bodys to figure out what to go for, I Saw that body and was Like “Cool, Let’s go for a Crown Vic” Clearly, it was a Bad Choice, Should have went for something like a T-Bird or something instead.

Fantastic work putting the F40 rims on the car to match my poster!

And yeah, that viscous LSD… it was because I was bumping right up there on the engineering times. I would have liked to use the geared LSD but it represented a lesser benefit than everything else. That’s not a lore-breaking decision, though. Matteo Miglia runs on a pretty tight budget and tight timeline, and viscous LSD is kind of cool and techy and stuff so :sweat_smile:

I’m super chuffed that my car’s the best handler despite me putting in all that premium shit in the interior -shudder- Actually premium seats wasn’t too bad, only an 8kg increase over sport/standard. That part was the spirit of the upcoming NSX speaking (referenced in the blurb with the race drivers tuning the chassis and suspension and stuff). I basically made the engine match that output (270bhp), so the challenge was very similar to the NSX’s: outrun a Ferrari with a lot less power. Besides, with all that techno stuff, that gets pretty expensive to maintain, so mileage would be important, hence me running a relatively eco-turbo setup instead of going full BOOOOSCHT.

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