AW11 space saver spare

Re:AW11 space saver spare (s2d4)

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:42:31 GMT

No, it was meant to suggest a hint of possibility that it could be better.

But "better" doesn't hold a candle for heritage (AE86, yes. GTR, yes. 911, Yes. 250 GTO, yes. Countach, yes. aw11 MR2 with 2 lotus rumours, no), each to their own.

Unfortunately I do not like body roll. I like cars for what they can do for me or what I can do with it, not how collectable they are, not how much they are worth. I don't intend on selling it. Otherwise I'll be like every collector, basically looking after the car for the next person.

As for the spare wheel, I bought mine off someone that was parting out.

Re:AW11 space saver spare (anarchisttomato)

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 02:09:36 GMT

Pleasantly surprised? You mean are we back on topic and you have a wheel to sell, or a suspension setup to show off? ;)

I'd probably agree on the improving side if unmolested AW11s weren't so damn scarce nowadays - running AW11s are already starting to become kinda few and far between, so finding one unmodified will probably become quite the task for collectors in years to come. My objections aren't so much to do with whether or not someone will either improve the car, but from an historical perspective (and I don't think collector status is something too far away). I guess I see the setup as being a bit like a cherished autograph, and then someone senselessly washing it off the item... let's say a poster. Sure, it may look better as a poster without the autograph, but that's not really the point, is it? It takes an act of vulgarity to throw away history just for the sake of utilitarianism. Where's the romance, history, story... what makes the car interesting with that part of its heritage removed? And it's the interesting heritage that makes me desire an AW11 over a 2nd or 3rd gen anyday...

But as for already modified AW11s, I couldn't really give a toss, do what you like - 'the autograph' is already gone, and if the AW11 were still a very common car, I couldn't really give a toss either. ;)

Re:AW11 space saver spare (s2d4)

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:18:21 GMT

Meh, just discussion on different views.
My view still stands, buy a lotus if you want the lotus connection.
Love the Exige GT3, pity they didn't end up putting it into production.

In your examples, the differences were "making it better" vs "making it worse", changing it for their own application is not making it worse.
80s suspension setup on a "mass produced" car can most certainly be improved.
Since you are in Perth, would you like to be pleasantly surprised?

Re:AW11 space saver spare (anarchisttomato)

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:44:41 GMT

I'm not particularly bothered about AW11 specifics in the case of a measly space saver, so yes, I think I'll head to a wrecker's; cheers for that chase.

s2d4
But big call bud, buy a lotus if you want a lotus connection, that is not the point of the AW11 or any car as they should be themselves for being themselves.
Handling is very personal, I can understand your point of view due to the limited knowledge. My suggestion would also be leaving it as is if you don't know what you are doing.

Haha, touch a nerve did I? ;) I wouldn't dream of owning an MR2 on the grounds of it being a sort of 'cut-price Lotus' (how vulgar!), but it is a car with fascinating historical connections. Aside from the car entering pop-culture in the La Roux video (something which should make it an interesting collectable in the years to come), the man behind the handling of the AW11 - Lotus man Roger Becker - was not only a great engineer but a James Bond stunt driver, and owning a part of that automotive history is quite wonderful (plus the AW11 is one of the maddest things Toyota has ever made!).

Now if an AW11 has already been heavily modified, then what the hell, do what you like, it'd be an interesting platform on which to experiment. But if the steering and suspension has remained unmolested by the sort of chap who has a Super Cheap Auto gift voucher, then leave it the hell alone! ;) I guess my POV is that if you have such a fascinating historical connection*, then changing it is surely the act of a Philistine? Surely that's like having car that was styled by a famous house such as Ital or Pininfarina, and then putting on a bodykit? Or buying a London building with a piece of art by Banksy on the side... and then painting over it. Sacrilege, surely?

My, I have gone off topic, apologies!

* Note that there's a long held rumour that the AW11 is really a Lotus built by Toyota; that much is at least bollocks, but the handling part holds true

Re:AW11 space saver spare (chase_d)

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:01:56 GMT

Do you want an AW11 specfic one?

If not, head to any wreckers and they will gladly give you one to suit. 4x100 is such a common stud patten.

Re:AW11 space saver spare (s2d4)

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:21:22 GMT

I applaud people wanting to keep their cars in a pristine untouched collectable condition.

But big call bud, buy a lotus if you want a lotus connection, that is not the point of the AW11 or any car as they should be themselves for being themselves.
Handling is very personal, I can understand your point of view due to the limited knowledge. My suggestion would also be leaving it as is if you don't know what you are doing.

Re:AW11 space saver spare (anarchisttomato)

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:53:00 GMT

Aye, I loathe people who take A-Dubs and think they know better than Roger Becker. Change the steering, suspension, or handling in general, and you lost the point of the car and its history. Not that I'd object with something like an SW20, but change the handling of an AW11 and you lose the Lotus connection. Speaking of which, you seen the Top Gear 50 Years of Bond Cars? Must-see viewing for any AW11 owner.

Re:AW11 space saver spare (maj)

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:09:21 GMT

I even bought factory teardrops because I don't like my aftermarket ones.

But to be fair, the aftermarket ones are heavy and worse offset than factory.

Re:AW11 space saver spare (anarchisttomato)

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:49:44 GMT

maj

I believe they are fairly generic. If anyone has their size details handy might help you out.

Thanks man, if nothing turns up then I might do some ring-arounds for something of the same size.

maj
...(not for sale, I like factory goodness).

You've got (rare) taste. :)

Re:AW11 space saver spare (maj)

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:35:33 GMT

I believe they are fairly generic. If anyone has their size details handy might help you out.
Otherwise I'll go check on mine in the next day or two if I get a chance (not for sale, I like factory goodness).

Lee: Do you have a wrecking thread or anything regarding what you have for sale? I might be interested in some T-Top specific parts you may have.

Re:AW11 space saver spare (anarchisttomato)

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:55:00 GMT

Do you guys mind if I try and source something locally over the next week or so, and if I can't find anything, buy something from you chaps over east? I don't know much about space savers, are they quite generic - meaning would I be able to use one from another car of the same wheel size (perhaps and old MX5 or something) - or are they tailored to very distinct specifications?

Re:AW11 space saver spare (wiso)

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 14:54:01 GMT

Postage won't be that over the top, they are hard to find so, you may not want to pass up on one, I had one of these sent from Melbourne to Sydney for $40 freight.

Re:AW11 space saver spare (anarchisttomato)

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:41:14 GMT

Ah heck, I've not been sleeping much lately, should mention I'm in Perth! mrmr2, looks like I'm running stock 14s

Re:AW11 space saver spare (Lee)

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 12:07:24 GMT

I have one as currently wrecking my 88 aw11 sc if your in Sydney pm me as postage could be $$$$

AW11 space saver spare (anarchisttomato)

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 21:41:10 GMT

Call me crazy, but I'm probably the only person in the world who actually wants a space saver. I have a full tyre in the frunk, but it prevents me from really securing the tyre in place, it obviously weighs more (weight is something I'm looking at in general), and I can't stow away my sun roof with the wheel in there at the moment. Name your price if you're willing to sell, cheers.