Project Memoirs from the Hard Shoulder: bASeman's Spot of the Year award.

[SiC]

I don't actually remember the start when it was found. I think actually I had not long joined the forum. 

Isn't the blue number plate just the protective plastic film that has been left over it?

[Noel Tidybeard]

On 11/02/2023 at 09:24, BeEP said:

Steering wheel was also used on the Allegro Equipe!  Nothing else, as far as I know.

possibly the clock?

[BeEP]

1 hour ago, Noel Tidybeard said:

possibly the clock?

Sorry, I meant that the steering wheel wasn't used on anything else rather than any other part.  Although as it was then pointed out, it was also used on the Innocenti mini.

[BorniteIdentity]

I was feeling quite settled with the three car fleet.  After all...surely a BEV, Sierra and broken Mini is the panacea when it comes to automotive fleets for today's eligible bachelor?

However, regular readers will remember my growing appetite for a lifestyle vehicle.  My thinking is this will hopefully unlock many horsey women, or even those who like to wear lycra for their sporting activities.  A faultless logic I think you'll agree.

Nobody:

Me: (3 weeks time)

 

Not a pinin because this is me, but I'm picking up the car that arguably started the compact crossover SUV craze.

Collection on Sunday followed by many afternoons on my back.  Not with lifestyle girls, but undersealing the life out of it.  I'm very excited.

[somewhatfoolish]

Living the dream.

[goosey]

Are you buying a Nissan Qashqai ?

[quicksilver]

16 minutes ago, goosey said:

Are you buying a Nissan Qashqai ?

 

8 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

the car that arguably started the compact crossover SUV craze

Everyone* knows that was the Matra Rancho. In the unlikely event it is, Bornite is 100% winner.

[Dave_Q]

I was thinking a mk1 Freeloader but could equally be a Suzuki x90 or SJ or summat.

[Noel Tidybeard]

underseal? rav4

[timolloyd]

Sierra Cosworth

[Timewaster]

14 minutes ago, timolloyd said:

Sierra Cosworth

I see your logic.

Cosworth = twoc'd + torched = massive insurance premiums = worthless hot hatches and the rise of the lifestyle 4x4.

Frontera sport or RAV4?

 

It's pretty obvious given BI's love of a leggy Toyota.

 

[loserone]

I hope.the Rav is a keeper like the Avensis was

[Spottedlaurel]

1 hour ago, loserone said:

I hope.the Rav is a keeper like the Avensis was

And it still is, just not with BI any more

I'm guessing Vitara, or RAV4. Hopfeully the latter in rot-free condition and a good colour that Miss SL can buy in the future....

[Zelandeth]

Small 4WD where rust is a concern...Lada Niva.

[greengartside]

Please let it be one of these little buggers…

[BorniteIdentity]

8 minutes ago, greengartside said:

Please let it be one of these little buggers…

Sadly not. I remember test driving a fatboi or whatever they were called when I was 17. I’d never driven anything other than a corsa and a breadvan. I was totally confused by how you could turn the wheel at a corner - the car would sort of change direction but the passengers didn’t. It was like a dinghy. 

Fantastic gay icon which means I’d love one. Just not this time!

[BorniteIdentity]

Firstly, I must say a HUGE thanks to @rob88hfor not only putting this my way, but for being a gent and delivering it to my parent's house too.  

GOOD NEWS

The Leisure Lifestyle vehicle has landed!  And BOY is it a cracker.

What have we got? An absolutely bloody mint MK1 RAV 4.  It's a facelift, and my GOD is it a good one.  Here's my father at the wheel, equally smitten.

It has clearly been loved.  Here's just some of the service history

Literally, everything works - even the flipping air con.  I ditched the leaf and even used it for work today.

152k, two previous owners, automatic, and a bloody billy bargain.  Literally £1000 cheaper than the one I was looking at last year.

Plans are to do many leisure lifestyle activities and rustrproof the life out of it.

Serious lifestylin'.  

[wesacosa]

I had the pleasure of seeing that in the metal last week. One of the most original looking and well looked after cars I have seen for a long time.  

[Supernaut]

I don't recall seeing such a clean mk1 RAV4 even when they were current!

Spectacular.

[JakeT]

Phwoar bloody fantastic, well done. looks a great colour. The mk1 RAV4 is my favourite of them, and make a great poor-weather car.
 

My mum had a red 3dr manual GX from new in 1996 to 2003. She loved it, and it was supremely reliable. She was also super pleased as it was her first car with air conditioning.

[rob88h]

I hope you don’t mind me sharing pictures of the undercarriage of your new ride.., but to emphasise a point:

Giving it a wash before handover (all part of the service) I noticed you could see every panel pressing and every spot weld along the sill seam still. A credit to the previous owners. 
I hope there’s nothing lurking, I’m no full multipoint inspectorate, but I was impressed when looking over it. 

[Timewaster]

On 03/03/2023 at 23:43, Timewaster said:

Frontera sport or RAV4?

 

It's pretty obvious given BI's love of a leggy Toyota.

 

 

[Matty]

21 minutes ago, rob88h said:

I hope you don’t mind me sharing pictures of the undercarriage of your new ride.., but to emphasise a point:

Giving it a wash before handover (all part of the service) I noticed you could see every panel pressing and every spot weld along the sill seam still. A credit to the previous owners. 
I hope there’s nothing lurking, I’m no full multipoint inspectorate, but I was impressed when looking over it. 

Whatever you do, don't tag in @St.Jude

[Matty]

Doh 😄

[Spottedlaurel]

Gah, two too many doors to meet with Miss SL's seal of approval.

But it does look utterly wonderful, I can just imagine how smooth and slick it will be to drive. Look forward to seeing it one day.

[St.Jude]

1 hour ago, Matty said:

Whatever you do, don't tag in @St.Jude

Bastard.

[BorniteIdentity]

Jesus. This car is just phenomenal. It’s taken me over a week to post because I’ve been too busy just loving it. 

I can confirm that it’s extremely competent off road. I took it across a ploughed field (belonging to gentry friend in the village) and up a bridle way. Effortless. 

It is basically perfect, and has thousands spent on it over the years. The original owner having it until just a few weeks ago - the bills and love are quite touching. Mostly because I didn’t have to pay.

It’s also got heated mirrors - something I’ve never seen before. Within 10 seconds of turning them on, ice is melting and steam is bellowing like a hipster’s vape. Brilliant.

I’ve cleaned out the rear arches which was satisfying and alarming in equal measure! 

I’m really looking forward to preserving this for the future. It is, by a long way, the best car I’ve ever bought. 

 

[MantaGTE85]

The RAV is absolutely pristine. I like the colour. I can't see any rusty flakes among the mud that came down from the inner arches, which is very good news. Well done.

[alf892]

I think the bornite account has been hacked….

[chodweaver]

2 randoms please