Porsche’s greatness comes at a cost. Especially if you come from cars with very cheap parts. Decade ago I bought used 5-speed gearbox for my MX-5 for 90 euros. It’s still in my car today. These parts for the 996 cost roughly the same...

I know BMW had no choice. They had to make a new M5. Globally fully electric one doesn’t work, yet anything with ICE is just not going to make (positive) performance headlines. They’re stuck. Perhaps sporty ICE cars should finally forget ultimate performance and chase emotions.

New M5 is interesting. It’s 540 kgs heavier (1 970 kg vs 2 50 kg) than old one, loses to 100 km/h (3,5 s vs 3,4 s) and barely beats it to 200 km/h (10,8 vs 11,1 s). Of course it’s more efficient, but leave it uncharged and wltp difference is 10,2-10,3 l/100 km against 11,1-11,3.

The R129 is probably the most expensive feeling reasonably priced car you can afford to run. Amazing cars.

“Tell me you drive on a Finnish highway without actually telling me you drive on a Finnish highway”

Another, less written about benefit of the 911 over more exotic machines is the usability. There’s great amount of space for two plus luggage, and sudden downpour does it no harm. And despite of enthusiastic driving the first tank was just below 9,0 l/100 kms.

I drove 1 000 kilometers over the weekend with the 996, joyfully large part of it on quiet backroads in the middle of Finland. It shines on trips like these: fast enough, engine loves to rev, sounds great and comfort is good on rough roads thanks to base suspension and 17” wheels

I’m not too happy to hear the latest 911 is two seater by default, rear seats being no-cost option. The 911 has never been a proper four seater, but being able to legally transport more than two persons is part of its great usability.

Never seen a Carrera GT in Traffic before today. The 997 GT3 RS 4.0 is super cool sight as well. Finnish Sportscar Breakfast Club had a great season opener. Rarer than any of those Porsches was a genuine R33 400R Nissan, which I obviously forgot to photograph.

Apparently changing fuel filters isn’t a thing. The filter on the 1998 Porsche 996 was made in 2004. Fuel that came out of it looks like it has been in the car about as long.

Day 3 on parental leave: during baby’s naps I’ve already bought supplies to refurbish Audi A2’s headlights and I’m halfway through flicking 924 workshop manual and making plans. Being at home, having plenty of time to think and having access to web shops might become expensive.

Everything gets better when you have some Alpacas in photo.

So much to like ruined by possibly the worst steering since the Titanic.

On my way to work i was listening to @_theintercooler podcast about winter cars. Fittingly, we got first snow in Helsinki today. Behind me is a classic Defender 110. In front of me is a 991 GT3 RS. Both great choices!

My review of the Licid Air Touring (behind a paywall, and in Finnish):

I drove this duo some time ago. They’re not directly comparable, as the Lucid is more expensive than the BMW i5. Lucid also feels half a decade newer, despite being several years older. The i5 is not a bad car, but it feels compromised by design and thinking compared to the Air.

Bizarre experience.

Eurooppalaisia autovalmistajia ei nyt käy kateeksi: kiinalaismerkit voittavat hintakisan ja tekniikassakin ovat vähintään samaa tasoa. Miten käy Euroopan autoteollisuuden? TL;DR in English: latest Chinese cars puts our automobile industry in trouble. https://t.co/yjOQEAAALn