AnnoyingPentium

Excellent. Tyres aren't dear for these, and I potentially have some front discs for a TDI PD100 that I ordered accidentally. Will check the shed, but I may have sold them before.

It's not impossible really. Always reminds me of a repeat customer when my Mum worked with Arnold Clark, an old lady with a K11 Micra, who only ever used it for going to the shops (about half a mile along the road) and it went once a year 20 miles to get the MOT done.

Brilliant, that's another thing out of my shed... hopefully! PM will be sent tomorrow most likely, as working till late.

I have a set of four from the base Fabia Classic. IIRC they're not the tidiest, but not broken or cracked. Think they're still in the greenhouse if you're interested. It's this style below.

Arrived and oan eh wall, many thanks Dan!

Quality. Best one to have is that 1.9... TDI or SDI? If you're needing any parts drop me a line as I've often got bits kicking about.

Excellent. Me, being the sad bastard I am, can tell you that appears to be a Comfort trim model.

Thanking you! Hope you're getting on okay, by the way.

Noted! That's a job for future me to concern himself over...

I had the shoes done to get it through the last MOT, which is about as much as I can tell you really. The handbrake is very *keen* looking. The shoes move okay (or did last time we had the drums off and checked). May have a wee go at working on it this weekend should I have free time.

OH YEAH - I still own this. So, what's happened with the Skoda since my last post? Nothing. Genuinely, nothing at all. It has, however, picked up the slack when the Vectra FTP'd, or when towing was required. There's something rather backward about using the underpowered overweight supermini to tow instead of the big motor, but the Fabia is a tough wee thing. One hurdle stands in its way though, the MOT test, which is up next month (at the time of writing). I wouldn't normally be this nervous (yes, I would), but considering I put it down a ditch, it's a little uneasy to see if there's anything deeper lurking. However, it looks straight underneath, and drives as spot on as it did, if not slightly better. Especially since rebuilding it allowed me to address some issues boiling away under the surface (e.g., wheel bearings and top mounts). My primary concern is the exhaust which was fitted by Stevie Wonder (Bluetooth back box) at the same garage previously, not had bother before or since, mistakes happen etc. (I know I should have went back with it when I got the car back from them, and almost a year later is a bit late) Other problem is the handbrake, which I think will need new cables as they've definitely stretched or something, there's not much to adjust now, and it holds about as well as a chocolate teapot does warm liquid. Stay tuned for MOT based shenanigans as of next Wednesday. Below: me introducing the price of local housing to a crashing downward spiral.

Back out and about in this one, yet again. Had to put a coil pack on it since the spark would only jump across three of the leads. It's had the bushes and a caliper done as well, feels a lot better now. For a big bit of car, it's not terrible on fuel really, last tank was 38mpg, but that was mostly motorway runs in the horrible windy weather we've had. I've got proper fitted mats now, sadly not the Vauxhall velour ones since they're NLA, but just some Halfords tailor fit ones which do the job very nicely. New plates on as well (last pic) so I can keep the original dealer plates fresh, and so there's a good base for some reproduction ones to be done in the future. As of the 22nd of January, this was a 25 year old car, which is quite an unsettling fact. It runs extremely well, especially as my daily, running to Glasgow and back (occasionally via Johnstone on the return) twice a week. Granted, I miss some of the toys the Fabia has that this doesn't, such as the extra speakers, or the heated electrically-adjustable mirrors. However, even with the standard CAR400 system, the sound is decent enough. Plus, I can live with manual mirrors - I'm just spoiled with the Skoda. However, this just tackles dual carriageways and motorways miles better than anything else I've driven. Easy thing to waft along in, but if you need to push on, it'll do it without any sort of strain. The 1.8 is a good match for the car I reckon. For 'peak grim' I'd like to try the 75hp 1.6 8v or the 2.0 DI (the NA one, not the turbodiesel version), just to know what real pain is. Maybe someday. Having spoken to another guy who has an Arctic II (but in V6 flavour), it seems the emblems on the centre caps have a knack for just launching themselves at the most random of times. Unfortunately, and unsurprisingly, these are no longer available from Vauxhall, so second hand is the only route. The problem is that they're all corroding now, and they emblems come off those as well. Been thinking about this, and to try and counteract this, and keep the car looking tidy, I'll get some of those stick-on centre cap badge things from eBay, and some proper adhesive, see if it helps somewhat. Other than that, it'll get a service when the weather is a tad warmer, and I'll get a couple of other imperfections tended to. It's not perfect - it doesn't have to be either - but I like to keep it in as fine a fettle as I can.

Having seen it in the flesh, I can confirm it's the stuff dreams* are made of.

Wahey, my first time on a calendar! I believe the Hi-viz bloke on the left is @PicantoJon

Lovely motor that, looks really smart.

I mean, I'd sell my Vectra if you're wanting a change (and anything from the money from selling the T5 can go on fixing it - as you know lol)...

As much as I'd encourage some financial irresponsibility and suchlike, @Matty is spot on.

Currently - Skoda Superb estate, probably a 2.0 TDI. 1995 - Omega with the 2.5TD.

Another Vectra, but I'd like a doom blue Envoy 1.6 8v (the 75hp one). Or a Mk3 Astra Merit. I also quite liked @JMotor's T-reg Maestro, in all its grim-ness.

Very very nice. Reminds me of my Dad's one.

Seems to have a sticky brake caliper, front nearside, just like the one that failed the MOT then passed. So back off the road again until its less likely to be chilly feckin baltic as I hate crawling about cars in this weather. Otherwise, I'll pay a man, and get him to do those bloody bushes that have went as well. It currently sounds like what I can best describe as throwing an accordion from the side of a tower block. If that makes a sound, then I imagine this is it. There's worse places than a quiet B-road to sit and wait for your brake to cool down, though.

1x wall calendar for me, please.

Chodspeed, that man!

You're just up the road. Need anything at all give me a shout.