No time, no talent etc. Anyone want a cheap Laguna diesel?

[The Main]

Hello all,A few of you may remember my post a couple of weeks ago when I was debating whether or not to repair the wife's Renault Laguna. The brake vacuum pump had lost it's zest for life and although a good thump on the pedal would stop the car it obviously wouldn't be much good as a family car until fixed. Many thanks to all those who offered thoughts and advice about fixing it (especially R. Welfare). I was going to pick up a secondhand pump and have a go at sorting it, but the missus has just been offered a cheap-as-chips Honda Civic from a friend. Upshot is he's put her foot down with a firm hand about waiting for a reliable car while I recover from last week's hernia op and has bought the aforementioned Civic.So, as I have a list of car projects as long as my arm there doesn't seem much point in adding another one to the list.Therefore, fellow Autoshiters, before I stick it on Ebay does anyone on here want it? It's a 1996 2.2 diesel Renault Laguna 5 door hatch in dark metallic green, not exactly a minter with nearly 186,000 on the clock. But it's been (until now) exceptionally reliable and drives really well so it seems a shame for it not to to be put back on the road by someone. Damn good motorway car. Mot'd until August 1st 2009.We did the fanbelt last year (a not inconsiderable job actually!) and the bloke we bought it from said he did the cambelt and wheel bearings at 174K. New oil and filter the week before the brake pump went, decent battery and tyres (2 new Pirelli's on the front last summer). Radio/cassette and air con works too. Other than a couple of dents in the bonnet (and a dodgy bonnet linkage - we've added a bit of wire so you can yank it open when it sticks!), a few marks here and there and the odd bit of wear on the seats/centre console the old girl's in good nick. I was going to cash-in the tax at the post office today (disc's valid until 31/07/09), but will hold off for the time being in case someone wants to get the car back on the road.How about £140 for the car and £60 for the tax? I'll throw in a Haynes manual as well! Just PM me if you're interested....Cheers all!

[r.welfare]

Sounds like a bit of a deal to me for someone handy with the spanners! The 2.2 lump is pretty reliable and the gearbox it's mated to is not known for eating itself, unlike the later 1.9s. I reckon if you bunged it in the local Freeads you'd get a few calls, GR8 4 VEG OIL and all that...

[AnthonyG]

I don't want to be rude (and sorry the Haynes manual didn't help you ) but have you considered just scrapping it? - CortinaDave is getting/or has got £120 for a 1993 Mondeo, same weight and size as a Laguna.

 

I know its against the spirit of this board but it will save you a lot of hassle - you will probably get a load of idiots who will let you down if you try and sell this on Ebay - 'I want a refund because the brakes don't work' etc.

 

In fact it might not be a good idea to sell a car with a potentially dangerous fault - I certainly wouldn't.

[The Main]

Anthony, you know what I think you're right - with so many decent runners on the market at the moment for next to no money, I can't see anyone wanting to fix a worn-out old Laguna. Not even on this forum! Just thought I'd test the water first, it still feels wrong putting something fixable in the bin. But like you say I don't really want to see someone taking it up the road with no brakes.And there are plenty more interesting motors than my Laguna getting fragged on a daily basis, so frankly I'd rather someone channelled their energy into rescueing something a bit more barking....Dean Woods Exports, here I come then!

[AnthonyG]

I would say you've made the correct decision there . I would be concerned if some numpty bought it, decided they could live without sorting the brakes 'just for a while' and then proceed to drive their family around in it daily until the next MoT .