Stripped Fred - car thoughts + fleet update

[stripped fred]

I thought i'd start a thread about my cars. Someone might find it interesting? If not i'm happy just chatting with myself!

 

Got my Astra insured today with Footman James. £160 for 3k a year, agreed value of £500, commuting and parked in the street. They were pretty efficient on the phone at least. I also rang Peter Best but they said they don't consider it a classic. I will add my MR2 when that comes up again and the good thing is you can share the mileage between all cars insured with them. I'm going to pick the Astra up tomorrow. It will be put to good use doing tip runs to start with. Managed to find a load cover off eBay for £25 which I was pleased with. It has mot until Sep so I'll try and get some use out of it until then at least and then see if it needs welding under the wheel well as it's quite crusty there. Will be interesting going from my Alfa with 200 odd hp to 60. Just deciding whether to remove all the giffer window stickers or not?

 

My mr2 is running well. Glad I decided to keep it. It's the oldest car I have at 27 years but is the most reliable and easiest to own. Of course I've probably jinxed that now!

 

My Alfa has predictably started making a clunking noise especially over speed bumps. I'm suspecting arb bushes or drop links but I can't tell whether the noise is coming from the front, rear or both. I've never known a car that needs it"s suspension refreshing every 6 months before. Just deciding whether to look at it myself or pass it to the garage for another £200+ bill? My jack doesn't fit under it and my ramps are too steep so would need to invest in some more kit.

 

Photos of Astra collection to follow shortly...

[stripped fred]

Swapped the alfa with the astra yesterday. Just in time as the clunking noise in the alfa from the front o/s (I think) is quite a bit worse.

 

The Astra started first time. Needed a clean as it was covered in bird poo from sitting under a tree. Removed the giffer stickers from the rear window, loaded it with kid seats and we took it on a run to collect some bikes I'd bought them on eBay which fitted in the back no problem along with a load of other stuff. Enjoying the extra load space over the Alfa 'lifestyle' estate.

 

Initial impressions are favourable. It is quite a bit slower but not painfully slow and I'm enjoying minimal braking, taking the correct lines through bends to conserve momentum. I do enjoy holding up audi and bmw drivers thoigh. Put £20 diesel in and it's already done 100 miles with the guage barely moving. There is a bit of play in the suspension and steering but you soon get used to it. It feels like a well worn shoe. You can keep it in 5th a lot of the time and ride the torque curve. It's enjoyable to drive and reminds me of some of my first cars. Being used to my alfa I feel more power makes you lazy.

 

Some things on my 'to do' list are to see if i can fix the temp guage and central locking, work out why none of the heater controls/buttons illuminate at night and to try and stop an annnnoying rattle from the tailgate. Any pointers with these appreciated. Mechanically it is fine and has been well looked after. Bonus new rear exhaust box fitted just before I bought it and free dog guard. I feel I have popped my shite cherry at last!

[Hendry]

The heater controls will be 3 tiny bulbs which will have blown a long time ago, they are pennies to buy, I think when I did it on my old mk3 I actually went to Vauxhall themselves and the 3 bulbs come in a new holder for a quid or so.

 

Replacing them you are supposed to remove the panel/surround round the vents, clock/temperature/radio display and heater controls and the radio itself but its supposedly possible to squeeze them out and in just by removing the radio, unscrewing the 2 screws at the bottom of the panel round the controls and making it a bit looser.

[lisbon_road]

I find the idea that someone might consider that Astra not to be a classic car deeply disturbing.

[stripped fred]

I find the idea that someone might consider that Astra not to be a classic car deeply disturbing.

Yes, so did I! I thought I'd try Peter Best as they'd had some positive reviews but as soon as I told her it was an Astra she said they wouldn't cover it. I said "don't you want to know how old it is?" When I told her she said sorry but we can't cover that so don't know what they'd say if it was a mk 1 or 2?

[stripped fred]

I took the Astra complete with family and dog on a 50 mile round trip today. It was quite warm so had to have the windows slightly open on the motorway as no aircon but not a problem. People coped before it came a standard fitment on cars. The sunroof will only tilt and that takes a lot of force through the handle so I was a bit wary of stripping cogs. I would like to free it up so it slides but I haven't looked into it yet and know I risk causing it to leak.

 

I noticed the temp guage go up a bit today. Not a lot but enough for me to wonder if it is actually working? This was after about 20 motorway miles with the outside temp well into the 20's. I might still price up a temp sensor and if it's not that much I might replace it.

 

Overall though i'm enjoying sitting at the legal limit in the inside lane at 70 as that seems it's happiest cruising speed and I'm not missing a turbo diesel with it's inherent lag and added complication at least at the moment!

[sierraman]

If its reading that when the engine is warmed through as in picture, only rising when its roasting I'd suggest replacing the thermostat as it sounds as if its stuck.

[stripped fred]

If its reading that when the engine is warmed through as in picture, only rising when its roasting I'd suggest replacing the thermostat as it sounds as if its stuck.

Thanks, not thought of that. That's the highest I've had it so far. I'll see if it gets any higher in traffic on a hot day.

[stripped fred]

Standing proud against the younger cars in the office car park...

[stripped fred]

It's done about 200 miles on the £20 of diesel I put in it. This works out at 52 mpg. That can't be right can it? My Alfa does 36 for the same type of driving. I've filled her up and reset the trip so I can work it out properly. If it is 50+ i will be very happy .

[Rusty_Rocket]

That sounds very good.  Our Isuzu-engined one does late 40s around the doors but would probably be better if Mrs Rusty drove a little more 'sympathetically' (she'll kill me if she ever reads this)!

These were economical cars though.  Low kerb weight (by today's standards) and a nice long final drive ratio.

 

Weirdly I also used to have the same model Alfa as yours (although mine was a Sportwagon) and the thing never went over 40mpg.  That was on long runs too.  It promised so much.. and gave so little!!!  Stick with the nice simple Astra  

[stripped fred]

That sounds very good.  Our Isuzu-engined one does late 40s around the doors but would probably be better if Mrs Rusty drove a little more 'sympathetically' (she'll kill me if she ever reads this)!

These were economical cars though.  Low kerb weight (by today's standards) and a nice long final drive ratio.

 

Weirdly I also used to have the same model Alfa as yours (although mine was a Sportwagon) and the thing never went over 40mpg.  That was on long runs too.  It promised so much.. and gave so little!!!  Stick with the nice simple Astra

Up until a few hours i was going to take the Astra to Devon and back so i would have been able to see how much it did on a run.  I'm now going in my mum's cmax which i know isn't very autoshite but it will be a bit better on the motorway.

 

My alfa is a sportwagon.  In hindsight i would have bought a 10v rather than 20v as they seem a bit more durable.  I think Alfa did some cost cutting to the later 156's with the facelift models when they changed to GM parts which seem to fail.  After using the Astra for a week i am smitten.  It's only insured for 3k miles a year so i like to think of it as my backup car but i've been won over by it's supple suspension, better steering lock, practicality and general user friendliness compared with the Alfa.  I'm also not missing the vast difference in performance which doesn't seem to make a lot of difference in the real world. I now don't bother overtaking where before i did.

 

Fitted the load cover for it from ebay today which means i can now hide things from prying eyes.  I'm already doing my usual thing of trying to make this car perfect.  However, I managed to reverse it into another car today.  It was only low speed and as both cars had plastic bumpers it didn't mark the other car and only left a small crease on mine.  It makes me think that painted bumpers are a pain as it's just another thing to scratch.

[D Spares & Tyres]

The Alfa knocking is usually the front upper arms ( small aluminium things )

 

I`ve got some lights and mirrors for the Astra FOC if you need them. also new never used brake shoes and wheel cylinders

[stripped fred]

The Alfa knocking is usually the front upper arms ( small aluminium things )

 

I`ve got some lights and mirrors for the Astra FOC if you need them. also new never used brake shoes and wheel cylinders

Thanks dodgytom. I haven't been able to get on here for a few days as my mobile packed up. I don't need those bits at the moment but it's a generous offer so it would be good to have them off you sometime as i think she's a keeper, MOT pending of course.

[stripped fred]

Been putting few miles on the Astra and the novelty isn't wearing off at all.  It's fun trying to conserve speed and it can move along at a fair old lick when it's finally up to speed.  Trying to overtake a tractor uphill from 10mph ish was a bit unnerving though as the car coming the other way seemed to approach a bit too quickly.  I didn't know 2nd gear revved so high!

 

I've got myself a replacement aerial for £3.99 so i'll see if that solves the intemittent radio reception.  It's worse when going faster so i think it's caused by a bad connection in the aerial when it's waving around.

 

One thing i can't work out is when you switch the car off here's a strange bleep noise that sounds 3 times.  I can only think it's from some alarm system that may have been fitted before?

 

Took the Alfa to a local garage today for them to look at the suspension noise as i need it fixed to tow my caravan at the weekend.  I don't know if it's just me but i really enjoy driving my cars after they've been laid up for a bit.  You tend to notice things you miss when you drive them all the time.

[Al Bundy]

Is the beep noise your stereo?

[HH-R]

Has it got a Sony stereo in? They make a right racket to remind you to take the panel off in case of OMG THIEVZ.

[Matt]

It's the stereo for sure, my Sony does it. It's to remind you to take the faceplate with you. You'll drown it out in no time, don't worry.

[MarvinsMom]

that astra seems to be a nice old bus, i can well believe that its doing 50 mpg.

 

i didn't care for them much when they were new, but with age and the blandness of moderns and the fact that you never ever see a mark 3 ashtray anymore, they are quiet a nice old thing.

[stripped fred]

You lot are good! Yes, it has an aftermarket Sony stereo so that'll be it then.  I've started doing that thing where you look back at it after parking it up in the supermarket car park.  Even been thinking how much it would cost to sort the rear arches out but i bet that wouldn't be cheap.

[stripped fred]

Is the beep noise your stereo?

Hi Al,  I've been thinking of popping it round to you for a quote on welding to the underside if you have time?

[Jim Bell]

^ that escalated quickly.

[stripped fred]

^ that escalated quickly.

Yep, all cars should have a corrosion warning buzzer...

[stripped fred]

Plenty of time to sort the knocking suspension noise on my Alfa i thought.  I picked it up from the garage today.  Nice old school place i've been using for a few years on and off. He's had a look and diagnosed a front upper wishbone.  However, i don't think he fancied taking this job on.  Alfs's seem to scare people.  I rang another on my list and they're short staffed.  Managed to book it in with an independent Alfa place i use in Leicester.  Fingers crossed they can sort it before the weekend otherwise the family caravan holiday could be looking doubtful  .

[stripped fred]

Got my Alfa back today. Needed a top wishbone and a droplink to the o/s front. Total damage £134 which I can live with. I think the whole front suspension has now been replaced in the last 18 months! Was impressed with the 147 diesel they lent me with the 1.9 jtd engine. Alfa do know how to make a diesel engine feel very petrol like. This is the same engine as used in saabs and vauxhalls I think and the mechanic said they respond very well to ecu remapping.

[stripped fred]

Oh, and they pointed out this screw in my rear tyre. It's a cheap make but refuses to wear out. Will have to give autoshites preferred internet tyre company a look.

 

Would it be unwise to risk pulling it out?

[Rusty_Rocket]

I would pull the nail out of the tyre... but I have a tyre machine and can repair the hole it leaves!!

Probably best to leave it in for now, but I would get it done- it looks like it's in a perfectly repairable position.

 

My 156 had the 1.9JTD 16v engine.  It went ok but  was disappointing on fuel.  Under 40mpg is simply not acceptable in my eyes if you're putting up with the diesel clatter!  It wasn't reliable either..

[Al Bundy]

Hi Al,  I've been thinking of popping it round to you for a quote on welding to the underside if you have time?

Yeah pop round mate,got a place off narborough road now,

[stripped fred]

I would pull the nail out of the tyre... but I have a tyre machine and can repair the hole it leaves!!

Probably best to leave it in for now, but I would get it done- it looks like it's in a perfectly repairable position.

 

My 156 had the 1.9JTD 16v engine. It went ok but was disappointing on fuel. Under 40mpg is simply not acceptable in my eyes if you're putting up with the diesel clatter! It wasn't reliable either..

It completely slipped my mind that it night be repairable! Thanks for reminding me. I'll take it to the local tyre place tomorrow.

 

Under 40 isn't great is it? I get 36 from mine. My mum has a focus 1.6 petrol and that's better on fuel. Sort of rules out the main point of having a diesel doesn't it.

[stripped fred]

Yeah pop round mate,got a place off narborough road now,

That's pretty handy then. I'll give you a shout in a few weeks.