Reply to "Rent a car !"

hi Stephen,

I may be uniquely qualified to answer your question, as Franz Krump was kind enough to let me drive his Si when I went to Austria to buy his (now my) GT5-S. So I drove them back to back.

The Si doesn't have the rumble of the Cleveland. At idle it is relatively quiet and was somewhat disappointing. The biggest difference is the vibration - you FEEL a Cleveland as much as HEAR it, and the SI was a little too smooth.

Once you get your foot in it, however, the engine's note is much better.

Seat of the pants impression is the acceleration is similar to a stock GT5-S.

Handling was noticeably better than the 5-S. The brakes were superb. The seats were fantastic.

There is a yellow Si with a heavily modified engine that I saw at the factory at the International Meeting in 1999 that sounded simply amazing. If it is the one I am thinking of, I've seen it advertised for sale and has roughly 550 hp. So like any Pantera, the engine can be modified to please.

Before spending that kind of cash, I'd drive one yourself to decide. It is a different car than an early Pantera, so it is worth looking at closely.

It's more modern - FI and all - and that has its good points and bad. It is a better car, there isn't much doubt about it. Perhaps it loses a small amount of character as a result?[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the reply Charlie,
curiously most of my friends said the same thing, and seem to think I may be dissapointed with the Si.
About 2 months ago Franz Krump let me know that Si #9610, the white factory coverted RHD was for sale in Australia. I was in touch with the owner and before I could move any further I needed to find out the cost of importation to Ireland. IT took almost four weeks to get a figure on import duty from the Irish Revenue. By that time the car was sold. Probably the only chance I will ever have to buy a rhd Si as there are only two.
No matter, for now I have decided to keep the GT5S, I have done so much work to its engine and suspension and it really is a great car now. Will shortly be bringing my BB512 home from the UK after a complete overhaul so I will be pretty much entertained between both of them.
Steve