Date:         Wed, 2 Apr 2003 00:53:02 -0800
Reply-To:     Road Trip <roadpanzer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Road Trip <roadpanzer@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Test Drive Report of Smallcar's WRX Turbo powered 91 Carat
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Hi all-
I had the pleasure of driving (holding on for dear life really) Brian
Steel's latest creation today in Tacoma, WA, namely, a Subaru WRX powered
(single turbo, approx 240 hp+ with single cat) fire breather in a auto 91
Carat. Simply amazing.
First, Ive personally owned a 2.2 soobie Carat, behind an auto. I loved it.
Miss it still. I've also driven 3.3 ltr SVX Soob powered Vanagons in various
configs (full westy, auto multivan, and simple syncro) and this by far was,
to me, the best experience so far.
Acceleration with the automatic is NOW. Immediate. Keeps coming on.
Point and shoot with the auto, eyes darting for c_ps.. Felt like the fastest
van Ive driven yet. The exhaust note is more subtle than the 3.3, certainly
a wolf in sheep's clothing sleeper if there ever was one.
This car felt like a sports car, and with upgrades to the wheels, and
suspension, will be one. The auto however needs a new clutch pack, as I
could feel it slipping in the second and third gears. But when I held the
shifter in first, and manually shifted, it was a slingshot experience.

Bottom line? It keeps getting better and better.

-steve
seattle wa




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