End of year shite report.

[Cavcraft]

Right, go on then, fill us in with your end of year shite report. The good, the bad and the downright bloody awful please.

Here's my feeble affort:

 

Despite the date stamp I still had this horror in 2011. It was a reasonable car spoilt by incredibly crap build quality and nearly sent me over the edge with myriad problems...

 

Happy to see it finally go, it made way for this which was very entertaining to drive (2.5 six cylinder engine) though a little juicy and had wheel arch rot that would shame a Mk3 Astra...

 

This ahem 'beauty' also came and went. Least said, soonest mended I would think...

 

Next along I think was this. 230,000 or so miles, bumpers held on (badly) by self tappers and a right old shed but it kept on going. I think it eventually got broken for parts which was a shame as despite it's looks it'd been a bloody reliable car for my mate before I got it. Looked like an extra from 'Road Wars' and the sort of thing that should have been parked at least 20 streets away. Picture taken pre-wasting a quid jet washing it...

 

Loved this, really was MEGA to drive. Interior was a nice touch and it went like a bat out of hell, despite having weedy non-standard steels on it. One wheel arch had 'done a Vauxhall' in quite spectactular fashion. Went to one of those 'banger rally' jolly japers who was off to Italy in it I think. I will definately have another one day, it was GR9.7 fun...

 

Probably in my top two favourite cars of the year this one. Got it dirt cheap from eBay as a non-runner. It was dirty, neglected, sad and a non-runner but within about half an hour of getting home we had it running. Cleaned up a treat and took me back to the day where there were loads of these knocking about now most will have rotted away i suppose...

 

Remember this little horror?

A bit of time removing the horrible, hateful shit that was stuck or bolted on to it had it looking a million times better...

 

Dull as you like but another fave of mine was this. Did a few jobs to it (mostly minor things iirc) and it gave sterling service and is still plodding on in Cheshire somewhere I believe...

 

Then there was this. I did like it a bit and wanted to like it a lot but I just couldn't get used to driving it. Daft having it sat in the garge just being used once in a while I sold it...

 

Talking of sitting in the garage not being used, here's my lad's 106. It'll be up for grabs soon as he is hankering after my 206 or a Corsa C...

 

Another red hot fave here. Purchased from Mr B of this very manor, this car was brilliant. 1,200 odd miles in about 8 days of driving and it never missed a beat. Smooth, totally reliable, incredibly easy and relaxing to drive and a very pleasant place to be. Went recently to Retrogeezer's mate who I asked to give me first refusal on on if he sells it in the future...

 

This little charmer pretty much highlighted why people scrap useable cars. Advertised for a while and it seemed 98% of callers were the sort of pondlife who want everything for nothing and could test the patience of a saint...

 

Son's Fronterror, yet to be used in anger but we're working on that

 

This was a nice drive and quite a classy car. Bit juicy (as you'd expect) but nicely spec'd and a decent place to waft round in...

 

Still here plying it's veg oil trade all over the shop. Broke down twice (same problem) and nothing to really attract it except economy, veg oilness and boot space...

 

Half tidy Frogster. Can't remember what we did to this, couple of piddly jobs iirc and still soldiering on in the West Midlands I think...

 

Still can't believe I offloaded this. Had more fun blazzing round on it then I've had in yonks. Being Italian it wasn't the most reliable device known to man but had that odd sort of charm, if you like that kind of thing. I'll have another next year, ideally in Lambretta flava though...

 

Next up was a neccessity. It's actually the law that if you live on a council estate you MUST have a big telly and one of these....

 

Mondeo-in-shellsuit special. Went pretty well but didn't really fluctuate my capacitor...

 

To my eternal shame it was swapped for this hateful bastard of a car. Yes it was nicely spec'd and no it wasn't actually that bad to drive but 1) it looked horrendous and 2) it'd be easier to get rid of Aids than one of these...

 

Once again we're in the 'least said, soonest mended' category. This found a home with young Mr Claim of Da Wirral...

 

Another BM now, not too bad as it goes and went very nicely. Few stupid problems (just to piss on the myth of BMWs being one of the best built cars in the world) but not too bad as siad...

 

I was chuffed to bits to be offered this as a straightener and jumped at the chance. It had been stupidly lowered though to the point where I couldn't take my Doris to work due to speedbumps...

 

This is currently in the naught corner having started making strange 'OMG cam belt about to explode' noises. Belt kit here just waiting for my lad to fit it in between working and seeing his bird. A bit inconsiderate of him putting his love life before pissing about outside in the snow mending my cars, but that's kids for you I suppose

 

 

Check this shitter out. Knocked most of the dents out and it went Thursday. Not bad to drive to be fair, comfortable, ace on fuel and good driving position...

 

 

Replacing it was this which seems quite good so far. Couple of daft iusses inc. the rear wiper attempting to clean the boot and not the wwindow...

 

That's about it I think, except the Laguna which I didn't own long enough to take a picture of!

[Guest]

Billy, despite three quarters of your 'Can't Cavette Report, Won't Cavette Report' repeating itself, it was still a class read. I'll wait for you to delete the superfluous bits and leave this post high and dry.

 

All of the cars the great unwashed would consider shit and undesirable are the winners here - and they seem the most reliable too. Witness the German kit going wrong and infuriating Mr Avette of Chester.

 

Dear Points of View [ibid]........

[trigger]

I felt like it was Groundhog day reading that!

[Pete-M]

Mine's not been very eventful.

 

Still got this.

 

 

Bought this. (Still got)

 

 

To do this;

 

 

Had this for a few months, mainly lent out to people then flogged it on.

 

 

This I've had for ages, it's still in bits.

 

 

This is the latest runabout.

 

 

Jag is off getting some work done, 604 is very nearly done, Jeep needs axles servicing and then (if I've still got it) has a marathon 2200 mile towing trip across Europe planned for sometime in spring to bring the Escort home. BMW seems to work quite well and is used most days.

[Shep Shepherd]

Still got The Volvo and TV2:

 

 

However, I have come pretty close to obtaining a third car several times

[Lord Sterling]

Well, after this decided to throw in the towel:

 

I decided to get this on the road after 3 years of being laid up:

 

Whilst waiting for it I got given the use of this 820e:

 

I also got a White E-reg Sterling to replace the E-reg White Sterling in the first pic:

[theorganist]

Thats a great writeup Cav, very entertaining!

 

Started the year with this, which I still have and is still giving pretty much trouble free service:

 

 

Also started the year with this:

 

 

Unfortunately the engine smoked more than Didcot power station so I sold it in the spring to a collector who owns a garage and dealership. When he picked it up he had a white Allegro on his recovery vehicle. He is now asking £1295 for it on ebay with no MOT and still with the smokey engine. It was a shame as it is a lovely colour and had never been welded.

 

I then started looking for another Maxi as I missed mine, and ended up buying this:

 

 

The owner was threatening to scrap it and was also hawking it for its 1275cc engine so I decided to save it. However although it was very good mechanically it needed a fair bit of welding underneath, I finally decided to sell, and I believe it is in the Carnforth area with an Allegro enthusiast, or so he said, he certainly did not want it for the engine but I get the feeling it will end up on ebay fairly soon.

 

I had this delivered in November:

 

 

It has been off the road since 1997 and I only paid £100 for it, including about half a cars worth of spares including some panels. There is a spare engine and box for it in Devon when I manage to get round to picking it up.

 

I have managed to get it running after changing the coil, next job, in January (when I have the money) is to source an exhaust as the current one has more holes in it than Compo's jumper! Then hopefully will get it to the garage for an MOT, once I have managed to unstick the choke!

 

Also started the year with a 206 automatic which we sold and bought the red Megane Scenic in its place as it is the best sort of car to transport my partly disabled father and his wheelchair in!

[trigger]

Well i started the year off as having this as my daily.

 

2002 Volkswagen Bora 1.9 TDi 130 Sport by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

which has now turned into this.

 

My 2005 Ford Mondeo ST TDCi by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Mrs Triggers car at the begining of the year was this diesel Micra.

 

2004 Nissan Micra 1.5 DCi 86 SE by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

and has ended the year become this Golf Cabriolet.

 

1994 Volkswagen Golf 1.8 Cabriolet by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

but inbetween she's also first had the Mk4 Escort after the Micra.

 

1988 Ford Escort 1.6 GL Mk4 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

Then that sadly got sold to pay for this stunning Mk3 Escort that i picked up cheap, sadly Mrs T didn't gel to it like the Mk4 so i didn't keep it long before replacing it with the Golf.

 

1984 Ford Escort 1.3 L Mk3 by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

And finally I started the year with my Kadett.

 

1972 Opel Kadett B 1.2 Ebay Photos by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

 

and ended up with this.

 

[Negative Creep]

We started with this. Not really shite tbh, was actually a pretty decent all rounder an very cheap to buy. I'd recommend owning one before the prices start creeping up

 

 

Then this (wheels were already on it). Just didn't really do anything for me to be honest. Not very quick, thirsty and didn't feel "premium" in any way. Not a bad car, just didn't float my boat

 

 

Now this is more like it. Aside from the fuel economy, I bloody love this thing. Comfy, relaxing and steadfastly refuses to break down

 

 

Latest acquisition. Drove it 3 ties then the starter motor (or possibly ignition switch) packed up. With only 2 weeks MOT left I now have to decide whether to get it running and hope it gets through the MOT, or cut my losses now and send it to the bridge........

[Cavcraft]

  Lord Sterling said:

 

 

PLEASE enter this picture into next year's calendar thread, it's brilliant!

[warren t claim]

For the pleasure of Billy here's the Laguna.

[Father Ted]

Well, I started 2011 with the Micra:

 

Saved up a couple of grand to replace it, and the wife spent it on something brown....

 

So, Im ending the year with a K11 Micra still.

[Mr Lobster]

Toledo still here. Generally uneventful apart from a broken gearbox which cost rather too much for my liking.

 

 

F6 van had a busy year. C&SC feature, trip to France (including a breakdown near Rouen).

 

 

4 GTL arrived in March and promptly broke down. Now fixed and had new shocks lavished on it together with a general tidy up. Off to the bodyshop for a few bits in the next month or so. Not getting much use so maybe for sale in 2012?

 

 

Sprinter sadly departed. Really useful van and already missed but a combination of factors meant it got sold

 

 

Kangoo arrived. Jury out so far. Massively practical and does 95% of everything we needed the Sprinter for. GR9997654 economy but doesn't really do much for me. Alternator belt tensioner failing and causing a wallet full of pain hasn't helped and is that the faint sound of a whining turbo I hear?

 

[Felly Magic]

Bought this a year ago. Still going strong. £600 for 8 months MOT/5 months tax, 3 owners from new with FSH. All it's needed is a pair of tyres and a rear box for MOT. Has alarm, power steering, alloys, leccy windows, sunroof, 2 airbags, front fogs & central locking. Never let us down in just over 11,000 miles. Swmbo bumped it a little while back, but barring the scrape on the bumper it now has, the repair cost a couple of bolts! I think the radio cassette is starting to die though.

 

[fiatdaft]

Been a quiet year this year,so not counting the moderns,i started of with this.

 

Bought for £250,titivated and sold on.

 

 

 

Rescued this after sitting 20 years,sold on and paid for my nurburgring trip this year.

 

 

Splashed out £300 on this,just passed its mot,still waiting on the snow!

 

[sporty-shite]

A bit uneventful by Cavcraft standards, but here goes....

 

Started the year off with these two autoshite "bikes"

 

Ex Scooters Golf Cab

 

'twas a decent little thing, but wasn't really practical, due to only having lap belts in the back. Sold to Pete M's mate. Later fixed by Pete M. A lot!

 

And this:

 

 

Bought from Pete M in August 2010 as a birthday treat to me. Always fancied one, and have now "ticked the box". GR0.2 4 winter snow! But a proper weapon otherwise. Sold to a guy who flew over from Luxembourg and drove it back. He only wanted it for the Recaros

 

Because these two sold in quick succession, I was left without a car, so quickly buoght this:

 

 

As seen at Cholmondeley 2011! Really enjoyed driving it, but was a bit small for the pram and other child-related gubbins.

 

So, after that went, I found myself searching for slightly more modern shite, which brought the arrival of my current daily:

 

 

I really like this, but being skint means it has to go on the list of things that should go. I'm only doing a hlaf-arsed job of trying to sell it, though, because I don't really want to get rid of it.

 

Also this year, I bought this:

 

 

Bought off a guy on R-R with a slipped timing belt. Head off, new valves, and it runs sweet-as! Took it for test, and it passed, albeit with a couple of advisories. Still to get rid, though. Bought in May, noly got head done by early December, so not a good time to sell.

 

Also bought this from WAT of this Parish

 

 

Really fancied one of these, and WAT-POVERTY meant he may have had to frag it. Saved by me, but now festering at my sister's smallholding, due to lack of space and time.

 

Finally, Sporty-Sister leant me this whilst the 145 was being MOT'd, on condition that I kept it, as she was having something bigger that would carry more bales of hay.

 

 

I ran it for a few days until the Alfa was sorted, then it just got parked up awaiting motivatiopn to sell. Meanwhile, MOT has expired, and I don't want to pay £27 to day insure it to take for another test.

 

Still trying to work telepathic powers over to Chester, so that the Cavcraft collection service will come and save it. I can't even say I need the money, because all funds raised will go to Sporty-Sister.

 

Oh, and the constants are:

 

 

Flirted with the idea of selling this, just because it isn't getting used. Again, didn't really try hard, because I'm not bothered about it going. Will probably recommission it for Cholmondeley next year.

 

And finally, Mrs Sporty's 156. As seen on tat-spotting mission las year.

 

[rml2345]

How was my shite year? Quite pants, to be honest!

It started with this...

 

Volvo... by routemaster2345, on Flickr

 

Volvo 740, bought from the bottom of a muddy driveway near Slamannan, and sold to CMS 206 what appears here occasionally because the tax was running out, and it drank like a poorly maintained fish. Would have another in an instant though, GR9 4 drifting in the wet/snow and always a comfortable old thing.

It was replaced with...

 

W274 COA by routemaster2345, on Flickr

 

This Rover 75 Club diesel. Bought it from a dodgy car dealer in Chapelhall because it was a) A Rover 75, and I've always liked them and It was cheap. Found out 63 miles later why it was cheap when the clutch master cylinder gave up completely. My own fault really for not checking it over thoroughly enough but there you go! Later sold it to a nice Yorkshire chap from Paisley who, after driving it to the shops declared that it'll go back on the road.

Unfortunately the Rover fiasco has led me back to this...

 

Mental by routemaster2345, on Flickr

 

Third time I've had it, so it's not being sold again. The car I learned to drive in no less, and bought from the retiring instructor who lived at the bottom of the street. Quite the most reliable thing I've ever owned but a bit dull sometimes. Passed the MOT though!

So thats it. Back to the Toyota "Leyland" Yaris... For now...

[eddyramrod]

Started the year with this

...almost entirely stripped; also this

which we had already owned for 18 months or so. Also this

which I wasn't supposed to drive as some of the legalities were still "pending" but you know how it is...

 

So, got the Granada sorted and on-the-road. Continued to use the pickup. Did nothing with the A40. Moved house.

Was then given this

which also has pending legal issues, but more importantly suffered the indignity of a four-wheel theft overnight. Damn shame, as I haven't had enough money since then to replace the wheels and get it recommissioned.

Before the theft, I was offered this

at a price I couldn't refuse, a matter of days after Mrs R had declared that she always wanted a sports car! So I bought her one and haven't heard the end of it... I'm a man, I can't win... It probably doesn't help that since it arrived, she hasn't been fit enough to drive it, so I've had all the fun, and believe me, it's a LOAD of fun!

 

And now I'm suffering severe cashflow issues, so the whole fleet is up for sale, except the Mazda. I hate the entire concept of money!

[Felly Magic]

  rml245 said:

How was my shite year? Quite pants, to be honest!

It started with this...

 

Volvo... by routemaster2345, on Flickr

 

Volvo 740, bought from the bottom of a muddy driveway near Slamannan, and sold to CMS 206 what appears here occasionally because the tax was running out, and it drank like a poorly maintained fish. Would have another in an instant though, GR9 4 drifting in the wet/snow and always a comfortable old thing.

It was replaced with...

 

W274 COA by routemaster2345, on Flickr

 

This Rover 75 Club diesel. Bought it from a dodgy car dealer in Chapelhall because it was a) A Rover 75, and I've always liked them and It was cheap. Found out 63 miles later why it was cheap when the clutch master cylinder gave up completely. My own fault really for not checking it over thoroughly enough but there you go! Later sold it to a nice Yorkshire chap from Paisley who, after driving it to the shops declared that it'll go back on the road.

Unfortunately the Rover fiasco has led me back to this...

 

Mental by routemaster2345, on Flickr

 

Third time I've had it, so it's not being sold again. The car I learned to drive in no less, and bought from the retiring instructor who lived at the bottom of the street. Quite the most reliable thing I've ever owned but a bit dull sometimes. Passed the MOT though!

So thats it. Back to the Toyota "Leyland" Yaris... For now...

 

That bloke in the Yaris looks a bit like my mad mate Lee

[cms206]

  Felly Magic said:

That bloke in the Yaris looks a bit like my mad mate Lee

 

You know Lee as well... ?!

[Felly Magic]

Lee Johnathon Wells?

[CreepingJesus]

  rml245 said:

bought from the bottom of a muddy driveway near Slamannan

 

Is that the guy just outside Slamannan with the field full of breaking Volvos? I was being told about this a while back by some of the W.Lothian/Falkirk guys I work with. Haven't been out to get the bits I need yet, tho'.

 

Anyhoo; started year with...

Stricken Mk1 Mondeo Ghia X, and...

Renault Megane Alize c/w integrated foot spas.

Due to lack of time and money, the increasingly rotten Mondeo had to go. But I will have another one some time.

The Megane failed its' MOT on a number of points, and more stuff than that needed fixing, so bangernomics saw it punted over the bridge. Won't be after another one.

Ending the year with...

Volvo V70 Torslanda. Never really thought about buying any Volvo before, but this one sold me. In fact, I wouldn't mind having an older one for a while... I may yet fix the fan controls, and find a fourth wheeltrim!

Also still have my '84 Kawasaki Gpz750, and my '76 CZ 125 Sport, neither of which have turned a wheel all year. Maybe this year will be better...

[rml2345]

  CreepingJesus said:

  rml245 said:

bought from the bottom of a muddy driveway near Slamannan

 

Is that the guy just outside Slamannan with the field full of breaking Volvos? I was being told about this a while back by some of the W.Lothian/Falkirk guys I work with. Haven't been out to get the bits I need yet, tho'.

 

Yep, thats him! Jim he's called. Nice fella, and very knowledgeable about Volvos. There's a green 850 saloon there that I swapped for the 740, and some reddies. Reminds me, still got a 740 instrument pod to return to him

 

  Felly Magic said:

Lee Johnathon Wells?

 

Good God it's a small world! That is indeed Mental Lee Wells, looking mental.

[Felly Magic]

Ask him about flying Metroriders in Blackburn.... I've known Swampy,Gollum,Zontar,Wingnut quite a number of years now, and yes I know he is madder than a box of frogs, but sound as a pound! We met via a mutual aquaintence known back then as 'Muppet/Fraggle'.

[Swampy21]

Aye.........And the Leyland Yaris is sitting outside ma hoose covered in Frost!!

There shall be no talk about low-flying buses or the fact that Jim Volvo may be missin his steering wheel that's currently sitting in my loft!!

[Felly Magic]

Aww shucks! It really goes to show that the tinterwebbythingydoobryfirkin is making the world a bloody small place!

[Guest]

Quite a busy year, shite wise.

 

 

 

The C4, still a constant. Pete-M's mate Paul managed to actually balance the wheels properly so it doesn't jiggle its cock off over 70 mph any more. It has since graduated to blowing the most difficult to access headlight bulbs instead. It will be my daily for some time yet.

 

Current Status:: Driven every day. Since being sorted by Paul it's actually grown on me.

 

 

 

For some reason I thought buying a sub £250 Peugeot estate on eBay whilst drunk was a good idea. You see, I was drunk. Despite the seller's assurances it was 'great', and would 'drive back to Manchester no problem at all' after 5 miles it blew excess coolant out of the overflow tank and overheated. Still, I got to meet Wuvvum and hitched a lift in his rather wonderful Innocenti. After driving 270 miles home, doing Chomondeley in it the next day and picking up some Rallye steels, the carburettor packed in. After that it never ran under its own power for more than 10 minutes without shitting its plugs up and \ or blasting flames out of the top of the Solex. I changed the number plates, added the steels and since then it's gone nowhere.

 

Current Status:: In a controversial part of the yard quietly getting rustier while SCTSH_ANDY and I find the time to get it inside to weld it up and add the secret engine we worked out would fit. I've also joined the POC.

 

 

The 480 I bought in October 2010 was sold to Sporty - Shite in August 2011 following a row with work which saw me walk out. While that felt good, my bank balance wilted and Chris stepped in. It's the shortest time I've ever kept a [running] car on my fleet.

 

Current Status: With Sporty - Shite who's selling me the five spoke wheels back to me for use on my 460 Turbo.

 

 

Another 480 S was bought as a very cheap source of spares and binned when said spares failed to sell. Pete-M had a HILARIOUS time A framing it to the scrappers for me. He still recounts that day with passion and fervour.

 

Current Status:: Several hundred bean cans.

 

 

Amazon is still off the road, now with a blown rad. Various attempts to get an ally rad from the States have got nowhere. Still needs an inner sill, a complete brake overhaul and the suspension rebushing \ replacing, plus the small matter of the B20 that I've had for nearly four years sorting and dropping in.

 

Current Status: In limbo in Wales while I source some spares, a workshop to sort the welding and the funds to get it back on the road. It's been SORN for over a year which is shameful. Had to get quite shirty with a nobhead gardener type who reckoned it was for sale and kept mithering my gran about it.

 

 

This 460 Turbo popped up on Retro Rides, and I decided it was the thing to have. Massively original, surprisingly quick, and surprisingly together despite the price I paid.

 

Current Status: On the road and serving as back up transport for SCTSH_ANDY while he sorts the clutch on his 9000 Carlsson.

 

I'm still waiting for IPTOC Clive to finish the pre Lotus Piazza I arranged to buy off him ages ago. And some other new shite is in the offing too - I just have to finish paying for it and make the necessary travel arrangements. Mr Bickle told me of a useful man with a beavertail that could get it up to Liverpool for far less than it would cost Pete M and me to do it.

[Lord Sterling]

  Cavette said:

  Lord Sterling said:

 

 

PLEASE enter this picture into next year's calendar thread, it's brilliant!

 

Thanks Cav, I've got a couple more. This was back in the day when my mate stilled owned E50UKJ and I was still driving the White Sterling, we got the cars together one day for a bit of a photoshoot:

 

 

 

It was a bit of a novelty getting 2 very old but identical cars together. They were built a few days apart from each other. I shall certainly submit them for next years calender.

[messerschmitt owner]

I thought about this and was thinking I haven't had much change this year - but, by God, it is quite busy at the MO household.

 

OK, so

 

started the year with three XMs

 

my daily driver 2.1TD SX is still going strong - this year's expenses have included a new clutch cable (after failure in Weymouth) and a new injector.

 

My other 2.1td VSX was sold - and is now getting the kind of owner it deserved - rescued from a garage after five year's slumber last summer, it did me well over the winter and was sold early in the year to an enthusiast.

 

The 2.0 petrol Mk 1 I bought for the alloys, going halfers with a mate who wanted the leather interior and body panels was scrapped in April - not much left of use when it went.

 

Used the money from selling the VSX to buy a BX16 TGS Auto (one of six left) - 47100k, now at 48k - expenses this year include a new exhaust £60).

 

Ending the year selling my Honda Z600 spares and using the money to buy a Fiat 126 bis - tested for eleven months, looking good.

 

Scooter was stolen, recovered 600 yards from home and repaired!

 

Motorhome was uneventfully cheap to run this year.

 

smart roadster broke an engine mount, had a major service and a couple of panels painted.

 

fiat Punto - bought last Christmas after selling the Vauxhall Astra cabbie - new roof being fitted on 28 December

 

Messerschmitt still on blocks in the garage

 

Bond still in shed, Berkeley, NSU and Mochet still in mum's garage.

[dollywobbler]

2011 started with the 2CV and Mini. Here's the 2CV undertaking a spot of green laning. The grille muff suggests it was quite early in the year and therefore cold. The fact that it's on a green lane and has the roof rolled back suggest the balance of my mind is disturbed.

 

Here's the Mini sucking up some moisture to allow it to rot further.

 

Just before Christmas, I bought a dream car - a Land Rover 90 V8. It wasn't quite the dream thanks to a remarkably flat V8 and a clunky transmission. Was good fun off road though and an outrageous bargain at £1600. Sold it in March for £2300. A rare profit!

 

The other carry-over from 2010 was my trusty BX, but in March, this happened...

 

I sold the BX to a mate, and bought another dream car - a Reliant Scimitar GTE. With the BX gone, I decided I needed another wafty barge as I needed to be clocking up a LOT of miles over the summer. Enter the marvellous Saab.

 

I thought the Saab was a large dose of VALUE at £595 with a brand new MOT, but attempts to sell it later in the year proved otherwise. It went for £450 though it did leave with its head held high. It had cost very little to run and was the perfect vehicle for what I needed. I also sold the Scimitar having quickly tired of the crap driving position, booming exhaust and constant dread of electrical failure/engine overheat.

 

There was only one way to get over the dread of electrical failure/engine overheat - yes, I bought a Range Rover with the VM diesel lump!

 

Had enormous fun in this thing. Incredible off-road and decent enough for tooling about in on the road. Came in useful for a spot of towing too...

 

That was the BX on its way to mine. Still needs a LOT of work, but I'm still loving it. Bonkers. Not sure if that's a reference to the car or to me for throwing so much money at it... (actually, I've spent about £250 on it so far I think, but much more wallet bashing to occur!)

 

Range Rover had to go as the non-working heater was becoming a bit of an issue. If I had actual money left after the BX, I might have fixed it, as I was beginning to really quite like it. Got offered a swap for this.

 

Rover 75 CDT Tourer. Top spec, pretty good condition bar some clutch/gearbox issues. Again, the perfect vehicle for the moment and it clocked up 1000 miles in a matter of weeks. Money was getting very tight though and as it needed work, it had to go. The BX's welding was not going to pay for itself. So, a little deal was arranged for Minimad5 to donate some cold, hard cash and a Peugeot 309 to tempt the Rover to the North West.

 

I'm a sucker for basic motoring, so obviously I agreed to the deal, waving goodbye to electric everything, heated leather seats and turbocharged performance.

 

So, 2011 ends with the 2CV, Mini, a different BX diesel estate and a Peugeot 309. Place your bets for which one has been sold/traded by the end of January... (this because my New Year's Resolution will be to calm down a bit on the whole car buying/selling thing, which will obviously be broken ASAP!)