NI base update - SAFRANE hunted and captured.

[R9UKE]

Afternoon all,

 

Apologies for the absence, I'm one of those fools who kind of converted to the Facebook page purely for convenience of uploading spots etc.  

 

Anyway, I've missed you lot.

 

It's rude to barge one's way back into a clan without bringing some candy, so here goes.

 

As you're probably aware, Northern Ireland has a massive lack of shite compared to the mainland.  That's probably due to the pathetic amount of "keeping up with the Jones'" types here with their Audi Q3s and when they can't get the finance on one of those, Nissan Pukes.  Basically, it can be a dull place to be.

 

That's why, when I see someone still driving something vaguely shite, it really makes me smile.  

 

You can imagine then, the feeling of fluffy puppy I got every time I've headed to my girlfriend's house and passed this magnificent residence in probably the most affluent part of Belfast.... with a 1998 Renault Safrane sat outside the front door.  It's fair to say that the guaranteed sight of it on my way to her place has supported me through the less pleasing times of our relationship...

 

 

I had always meant to knock on the door but it never really moved and those solid wooden gates are bloody intimidating.  Anyway, a few weeks back I was driving past Renault and spot it.

 

 

Had a good look around it, not as mint as I had hoped, but it's a Safrane that's surely on the brink of being traded in?  I had no worries here, as that dealership send every trade in to the auction I frequent every week.

 

Went past the house again a few days later and b*llocks..... look what's in the driveway.

 

 

They've bought a Ford.... something I didn't count on.

 

Straight on the phone to the nearest Ford dealer, gave them the details of the Safrane, they couldn't tell me if they'd gotten the car but did tell me an auction of where all their trade ins go - one I don't ever go to.  

 

Called that auction, gave them the reg, "yes sir, that car is here and will be sold on Thursday morning".

 

YUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

 

This is a rather posh auction house, with an app and a mechanical inspection for every car.  Logged on and there it is, what a sight!

 

 

 

 

Report shows faults with the suspension, exhaust blowing and the MOT is up the day of sale.

 

Thursday comes, I'm there for the start of the sale, get my bidding number and set out for the lots.

 

Lo and behold, looking lonely.

 

 

Of course, it's lot three-hundred-and-something, I find myself sitting around drinking shit coffee and watching the otherwise dull selection of modern crap being auctioned off.  The Safrane finally starts on the button, the voice computer had nothing to say past "Welcome, the vehicle's computer is now checking systems for you".  It's a bit crusty around the rear arches, but the interior and engine bay are the definition of immaculate.  

 

It comes into the ring after a Meriva, auctioneer introduces it, punters look completely disinterested.... "£200 anyone?, £200?...... £150???"..... I decide not to completely take the piss "£100????", hand up, hammer down, SOLD.  

 

Now I've not been to this auction before.  My normal stomping ground would stick a £60 fee on that which is fair enough.  This place??? The car worked out at £220.  That's £100 sale price, £75 auctioneer fee and the rest was that chuffing mechanical inspection which you have no choice but to pay for.  Bastards.  Little more than I wanted to pay for a Safrane with no MOT, but hey, I had to have it.

 

So I get the keys and the V5.  Last owner since 1999!  Jump in and WOW... I'd forgotten how bloody perfect those seats are.

 

 

Volvo 5 cylinder lump roars into life and the car drives home like a new Safrane.  Perfect ride, gearbox brilliant and the smell of leather in the air.

 

 

 

 

 

Faults?? Well the exhaust ISN'T blowing, and the suspension fault seems to relate to a slightly weeping shock.  The car seems massively well looked after, it meets it's friends and it's position in the fleet in confirmed.

 

 

 

So with such a well maintained car.... I decide to ring Renault on the off chance they have a bit of service history.  "Yes sir, we have a complete record from 1998 up to three weeks ago, I'll print it off for you and you can collect it."

 

Christ alive, timing belt done, brought to them for MOT every year and a service (sometimes twice a year).  Every little thing, it went to Renault - The CD changer stopped working in 2012 and he bought a new one off them!!

 

 

 

 

Add it all up, just under £10k spent over the years.  Now the last item is an MOT checkover.  An MOT checkover which was obviously the straw that broke the camel's back, as he decided not to go ahead with it and traded it in instead.

 

Time to do it, I knocked on the door of the aforementioned house, cussing at their bland Focus as I walked up the drive.  A mature gentleman answers in his dressing gown, as soon as I mention the Safrane, he insists I come in.

 

Brings me through to the kitchen and we sit their high circular marble dining table.  I explain my hunt, my passion for Renaults and show him the picture of his Safrane now with mine.  He actually had a tear in his eye and was lost for words.  The wife appeared, he explained why I was there and she hugs me and says "I'm so glad you've called, Paul has been distraught thinking that the car was guaranteed for the crusher".  We sat for a good half an hour, they were fascinated with my interests and replied with many stories about the Safrane and how she felt like a Queen being a passenger in it and they took it to France every year to visit her sister.  

 

We moved on to the last MOT checkover and Paul presented me with the check list Renault had given him.

 

 

You can see the sheer bollocks flowing.  Ã‚£3500 of work.  AC service???? Rear calipers leaking??? - they got £650 from him for that job last year, so clearly thought they'd try it again.  Basically, they put the scares on him and basically said it was too old for them to look after it any more.

 

I explained to them that most of that list is complete tripe, and I will be chucking the car through test and letting them know the ACTUAL list of what it needs - if anything.

 

They couldn't stop thanking me, insisted I take their home phone number and keep them posted about the Safrane.  They said the Focus was an impulse buy as the they had left it so close to the MOT expiration and needed a car.  

 

As I was leaving, the wife welcomed me to call by any time and thanked me for reassuring her husband that the beloved Safrane was in good hands.

 

A very satisfying mission that gave me a great sense of the spirit of shite.

 

One less Safrane in the wild, one more in The McCorry Collection!

 

I will hopefully get round to an MOT before Christmas, but things are a bit hectic.

[chaseracer]

Welcome back!

 

As you will soon learn: 6,10 and 28 please...

 

[mrbenn]

What a brilliant story.

 

That Safrane looks ace, well bought! Looking forward to the updates on this one.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

great story!!!!! Welcome back R9

[Mr_Bo11ox]

PS I fancy a Safrane if you get a lead on any cheap ones knocking about

[Alexg]

Superb effort chap, great story. Please keep us updated

[Cheggers]

Welcome back Luke!!

[greengartside]

What a story! A lot of people would have not bothered to chase it around and find it but I'm so glad that none of us here are like that. Just goes to show if you want something that much, then you will get it in the end.

 

Trillionty/10.

[nigel bickle]

Nice buy, hope it doesn't need much..

 

Curious beasts, aren't they?

Surprisingly comfortable/ wellcompetent on a run, and mine seems pretty reliable.

 

I find myself preferring it to the 25, these days.

[phil_lihp]

That is just brilliant from start to finish, lovely car and a great story to go with it!

[Lacquer Peel]

That's lovely, but it's a shame the old couple were financially bullied out of their Safrane. I'm glad the Renault agent didn't get their business.

 

I like the idea of these, warbly Volvo 5 pot and plush French ride quality.

[michael t]

Bloody fantastic stuff, you're correct when you say there's virtually no shite over here its a real shame. Best of luck with the Safrane

[DVee8]

Great story Luke..

Welcome back any updates on the rest of the fleet?

[Eddie Honda]

Superb timing that. 220 is not a lotta lolly considering the price of the boat to pull one in. Feel sorry for the old fella though.

[hairnet]

Welcome back!

 

As you will soon learn: 6,10 and 28 please...

 

no - if he buys frog it stays with the others

 

luke yer insane

 

nice story and yes their wee world is a bit posh

 

reprogram the computer to how bout ye

[hairnet]

ps volvo 5??

 

thought v6 4s and dizzle

 

everydays a schoolday

[Bucketeer]

Feel-good story of the year. Glad you're back to fill the 'Renault perv' shaped hole you left behind.

 

Also +1 for fleet update if you get chance.

[purplebargeken]

Great story, great car, bloody fantastic history, decent price and some lovely new friends.

 

Overall what an ace re-introduction

[brownnova]

Great story! Glad you saved it!

[Pillock]

Awww, that's a lovely story with the hunting it down at auction and the ex-owners being so nice. Good save, 44/10.

[Felly Magic]

Good save mate. Does sound like some 1st class twattery going on to try and scare em into something new.Volvo 5 banger? Almost like the old PRV days then

[hairnet]

they get 100% kudos for not being scared into another renault tho

 

big fuck you to the dealer as they went ford

[Faker]

Awesome result.

[R9UKE]

Thanks chaps, very kind!

 

Ah a fleet re-introduction, that could take some time, but I will certainly get round to it very soon.

 

I spent last year slugging it out for an insurance firm full time. It pretty much turned my brains to mush and I thought fuck this, and have gone into car trading full time. Therefore there's now tales of buying and selling auction shite, as well as my own fleet.

 

Im glad to see nothing has changed here and it still boasts the best set of complete nutters on the net!

 

Luke.

[bub2006]

I do like these. Both early and later ones still look lovely. Ex mrs had a Laguna executive on a p plate with full leather and voice computer. That was absolutely lovely car to be in and this looks even more comfy. Well done for your detective work.

[cort16]

Nice shite tracking skills. Sounds like they didn't want to get rid of it and they got given the fear by a dealer. 

[dugong]

Top work Luke.

 

I'd report the dealer to trading standards, the scaremongering bastards.

[PiperCub]

Not a Rennaux fan but was hired one through work some years ago and was pretty impressed by its abilities and comfort.

 

Looks like a good buy esp with all that history and work done. Haven't bought a car at auction for two decades but remember the thrill of doing it.

[MarvinsMom]

congrats on been able to track, capture and successfully subdue that big renner, its a good buy, plus a nice back story bout the original owners of said car, even if they got shat on by the flippin' dealers who just didn't want to be bothered anymore.

 

serves said dealers right that they then went off to buy a ford.....

 

 

"shuuuuush..... i'm huntin' a big wenner...."

[406V6]

Good to read your contributions again. Excellent story and full marks for tracking down the car. With that service history it looks as good a buy as you could make for an old Renault.  Look forward to reading more of your stories.