Done with old shit.

[alcyonecorporation]

I am slowly reducing my fleet and collection of parts. 

Apart from my Amazon, I have no old cars in the North West any more. 

The 460 Turbo and nob van are with new owners; I haven't actually bought anything this year. 
Had a good offer on the MGF. I wasn't going to sell it but the money could actually help at the moment. 

Unless I need a car for a specific job, I won't be buying any more random shitters. I'd like a fast car (not cheap) and a tow car (cheap ones are fucked) next, but I'll have to see what the bank manager says. 

[sierraman]

You can’t save them all. I’ve broke stuff in the past and thought ‘could have it on the road with a weekends work’ but fuck that.

 

I think unless you are committed enough to the cause to be swapping engines and pissing about welding entire floors into stuff, then I’d stick to paying a grand or so then running it till it drops.

 

It’s as hard as you want to make it.

[alcyonecorporation]

It’s as hard as you want to make it.

This.

 

Accept that long term projects are just that or take the money and run.

 

I've found imposing time limits on stuff sitting around has helped me get a clearer picture. Anything of mine that sits in our shack for more than 12 months gets viewed with suspicion now; I tend to look at plans to move said car on because the drive to carry on with it just isn't there.

[Minimad5]

I'd like a fast car (not cheap) and a tow car (cheap ones are fucked)

Cheap and fast tow car - Still got that S60, if you're interested !

[alcyonecorporation]

Cannot get on classic insurance.

[sierraman]

Other advice is if you are after cheap reliable transport then don’t buy a 25 year old Jag. If you do decide to do this then don’t be surprised if it costs a bomb to run, frequently breaks down on the way to work, the parts cost equivalent of a third world debt and your wife starts to complain about the amount of time it seems to take up at the weekend. You really ought to know that.

 

If it’s a cheap car you want which will hopefully involve spending the minimum time laid on your back covered in antifreeze and blood from the backs of your knuckles then go and buy a Corolla or an Astra or something for a grand or so. Something normal. Once you’ve got it, look after it but don’t go mad, it’s a fourth hand car not the Elgin Marbles. Stuff from the motor factors will do. It won’t last forever, hopefully if Lady Luck is on your side you might see 2-3 fairly trouble free years out of it. At some point it will probably want money spending on it when something like a clutch goes. That’s life, contrary to popular belief cars wear out.

 

At this point you either chuck it if it’s looking like serious repeated expense on the horizon or if it’s otherwise excellent, spend it.

[stripped fred]

I'm in this position now. I need something that's dependable (self employed), cheap to run, cheap parts, space (estate ideal), room for 5 people and I don't have a big budget. Not too much to ask is it? The Sharan has a slight gearbox leak, unknown history and has done 212k so not a long-termer although it hasn't let me down. What to do though? I could stretch to £2k to £2.5k but then I'm in the 'must fix it territory' when it goes wrong. Thinking an Octavia, Passat or Mondeo estate (mk4) may fit the bill, or will it be a world of pain.

[sierraman]

Probably £1500 or so Focus or Mondeo (if you can find one) petrol Estate. Astra petrol Estate could be good, ideally 1.6/1.8.

 

If you can find an Avensis or a Skoda Octavia, being petrol you shouldn’t have too much competition from the private hire folks.

 

Other than that I’d say buy to condition not just going for the newest you can find. It’s easy to get in a state of paranoia about every second hand car being a heap of shit. Avoid diesel that would be my advice.

[BorniteIdentity]

I'm in this position now. I need something that's dependable (self employed), cheap to run, cheap parts, space (estate ideal), room for 5 people and I don't have a big budget. Not too much to ask is it? The Sharan has a slight gearbox leak, unknown history and has done 212k so not a long-termer although it hasn't let me down. What to do though? I could stretch to £2k to £2.5k but then I'm in the 'must fix it territory' when it goes wrong. Thinking an Octavia, Passat or Mondeo estate (mk4) may fit the bill, or will it be a world of pain.

Without sounding like a broken record, the formula is simple.

 

Japanese

Petrol

Late 90s with ABS, airbags etc

Pre VVTi

Evidence of care (be it service history, low owners, nice nick etc)

 

I traded down to a MK1 Avensis on 100k, and it’s now on 216k. It’s never stranded me, always got me to work in all seasons. It does 40mpg consistently and never asks of anything other than petrol and a service every 10k. It seats 5 easily, saloons are smartest IMHO but estates are bloody useful. Servicing is simple with front facing oil filter and a sump with under 4l. 10w40 oil for added mingebag.

 

I’m keeping half an eye out for my next one atm tbh!

[stephen01]

I'm in this position now. I need something that's dependable (self employed), cheap to run, cheap parts, space (estate ideal), room for 5 people and I don't have a big budget. Not too much to ask is it? The Sharan has a slight gearbox leak, unknown history and has done 212k so not a long-termer although it hasn't let me down. What to do though? I could stretch to £2k to £2.5k but then I'm in the 'must fix it territory' when it goes wrong. Thinking an Octavia, Passat or Mondeo estate (mk4) may fit the bill, or will it be a world of pain.

 

Just my opinion: Keep the bugger, carry on with it until it does actually shit it's self. UNLESS an absolute deal comes along 

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Without sounding like a broken record, the formula is simple.

 

Japanese

Petrol

Late 90s with ABS, airbags etc

Pre VVTi

Evidence of care (be it service history, low owners, nice nick etc)

 

 

 

 

You called?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Accord-Vtec-SE-2001/332434962209?hash=item4d66aaf721:g:qecAAOSwWflZ-zCs

[Split_Pin]

Its just your Donald at this level. Everybody gets the hump with a marque thats fucked up on them in the past, even if the majority of others have had no bother.

 

For example I would be reluctant to buy another car with a GM small block Family 0 engine because 2 have developed top end rattle. But probably millions if other motorists have received perfect service from theirs.

 

If in doubt, put it all on red.

[stripped fred]

You called?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Accord-Vtec-SE-2001/332434962209?hash=item4d66aaf721:g:qecAAOSwWflZ-zCs

Just checked out the mot history online. I'm sad like that. It's mostly been passes although there was a recent fail and then pass but none of the advisories were done. Not that fastidious an owner unless he knew he'd be selling it soon.

 

Some corrosion reported on the most recent mot and some ongoing problems with the front brakes and an imbalance. I do like them though and I bet it won't go for that much. A relative had a 90's Carina 1.8 petrol that always felt like a good car and I liked the petrol engine, light feeling but solid interior and it's reliability. I could maybe go for a saloon although tip runs would be fun.

 

A slight discrepancy in the mileage...

 

2014 84k

2015 52k

2016 101k

 

Would this have been an error by the garage in 2015?

[stripped fred]

Surely it should be 92k in 2015 and not 52k?

[stripped fred]

I've been searching accords on autotrader. I know they're too new and diesel and I'm doing it all wrong but what about a 2005 2.2 ctdi diesel tourer? A few around the grand mark. There's one on there with 278k mileage so they can't be too bad although i suspect it could have been a taxi?

[sierraman]

278k? It’ll be fucked. You might just as well chuck handfuls of £20’s in the hearth.

 

I’d take the MOT fails into consideration but it wouldn’t be the be all and end all. If I was selling something on at a grand or two I wouldn’t be swapping a tyre that was close to the limit etc.

[vaughant]

 

 

I did my apprenticeship at ARG in 1985/6. Montegos were rubbish then. I dread to think what they're like now. *shudders*

That is actually true, they were terrible cars, rotten at 3 years old, no redeeming features and regularly failed any group test they were involved in, absolutely awful things.

 

IMO we always look back at certain cars with rose tinted spectacles but truthfully folk get all excited by cars like that just because so few survived from back in the day and to see one now is usually a "WOW" moment.

 

I put a link up to a really mint metro turbo a few months back, it really was a prime example but I remember having a Uno turbo at the time and it did everything better than the metro, apart from rust which considering I'm talking about an eighties fiat is a scary thought!!

 

FFS in 1989 they still only had four forward gears!!!

 

Mind you I got all excited the other day when I saw an Uno being driven by a teenage girl (sad as it sounds it was the car that I was most impressed with) so we all have our foibles I suppose.

[vaughant]

Also re: avensis I've just bought a 2.2 derv estate and couldn't be happier really, it's the t spirit model so had super comfy leather seats, a 2005 sat nav which does actually work ok.

Feels solid, no rattles, bumps etc, engine is VERY willing and a great motorway cruiser. Needed a starter which is common in them, was only £90 new and want to bad to fit, easy DIY and being a Toyota at least some thought had gone into its design.

 

No rust on it, still looks perfectly presentable and really does drive like new after 115k, I've no qualms in going anywhere in it. I like it's understated looks too, people seem to be quite sympathetic when your driving too, unlike if you bought an Audi estate when they'd just cut you up and be general wankers.

 

Passat/Skoda still good shouts though, assuming you mean a 1.9tdi model like a mint run out B 5.5 estate of you get one with the belt and clutch done they won't give you much drama and are really nice to drive, I'm a big fan also.

 

Still plenty of good cars out there, usual rules apply, do your research, plenty of time looking it over and a decent test drive including warm up/cool down/hot/cold starts etc.....

 

 

 

 

Or exactly what I always fail to do when I buy a car.

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Strangely enough - an Avensis estate is the only car that I've been driving that has had a FTP - I know they're reliable in the main, but of course sods law saw me stranded jut outside Halesowen at about midnight one evening. Discovered works breakdown cover wasn't all it was cracked up to be!

[vaughant]

Strangely enough - an Avensis estate is the only car that I've been driving that has had a FTP - I know they're reliable in the main, but of course sods law saw me stranded jut outside Halesowen at about midnight one evening. Discovered works breakdown cover wasn't all it was cracked up to be!

Yes isn't it always the same?

 

I bought a cavalier gsi years ago as everyone I knew that had one never had a minutes bother with them yet as soon as I got one it failed to start.

 

Replaced a ton of bits and got it working ok but it needed far more bits than my so called unreliable rs turbo series one that never failed to start anything other them first time everytime!!

[vaughant]

I've been searching accords on autotrader. I know they're too new and diesel and I'm doing it all wrong but what about a 2005 2.2 ctdi diesel tourer? A few around the grand mark. There's one on there with 278k mileage so they can't be too bad although i suspect it could have been a taxi?

I work in Honda and they do make fundamentally good cars/engines but that was one of their first efforts at a diesel and while it's a cracking motor, Honda have a bad habit of buying in parts from whatever manufacturer makes or offers them at the cheapest price hence most likely the failure point on one will be a third party suppliers part. I've heard they like a drink of oil and I can remember looking before and I saw a lot of them for sale with buggered engines

 

 

Pity as otherwise their a great looking car.

[stripped fred]

I work in Honda and they do make fundamentally good cars/engines but that was one of their first efforts at a diesel and while it's a cracking motor, Honda have a bad habit of buying in parts from whatever manufacturer makes or offers them at the cheapest price hence most likely the failure point on one will be a third party suppliers part. I've heard they like a drink of oil and I can remember looking before and I saw a lot of them for sale with buggered engines

 

 

Pity as otherwise their a great looking car.

I'm still keen. I like the fact they look a bit different and at least when new the reviews were really positive. I agree it's a lottery with the engine though. Has it ever run low on oil?

[uk_senator]

I have six in storage, none of which have an mot, and a yard full of rusting wrecks. Every one a project and none of them worth anything. The storage costs more per year than they're worth.

 

Problem is I've got a hoarding gene and find it really difficult to part with stuff. I keep flirting with the idea of getting shot of it all, including the storage charges, and buying something decent.

 

I have a 10 year old daily but it hasn't been cheap motoring thanks to dmf going. Next daily will be a small petrol.

I also have this hoarding gene with cars (& anything car related), thing is, I'm in that there London, so dont have the option of cheap storage (lockups are £70-100 a month anywhere locally), so I`m currently playing road tax on 5 of my... Um.. What have I got now? 9? 10? Fuck knows.. Too many.. 

 

Why do we do it to ourselves? Its a constant arseache, I cant really afford it, yet I still do it to myself constantly... Still, I just cant imagine life without my shite. I could sell my fleet & get a new Panda... Do I want a new Panda? Well.. Yes, but not at the cost of my shite fleet..

 

A curse, I tell thee..

[spike60]

My son has a 2006 Accord Tourer 2.2 diesel which I bought for  him after a ballsache looking at diesel estates spring 2016. Bought with 120k, now nearing 140k, when we got it the alternator freewheel pulley was shagged and the clutch is hanging on with it's fingertips. The engine is neither particularly powerful or economical (much the same mpg as my 530d but much slower) but it's no bother either.  Sticky rear calipers, rotten rear backplates and auto tailgate doesn't are all I remember. It doesn't use oil.

[stripped fred]

My son has a 2006 Accord Tourer 2.2 diesel which I bought for him after a ballsache looking at diesel estates spring 2016. Bought with 120k, now nearing 140k, when we got it the alternator freewheel pulley was shagged and the clutch is hanging on with it's fingertips. The engine is neither particularly powerful or economical (much the same mpg as my 530d but much slower) but it's no bother either. Sticky rear calipers, rotten rear backplates and auto tailgate doesn't are all I remember. It doesn't use oil.

A mixed bag then. It does tick a lot of boxes for that I want from a car. I will be doing longer journeys soon so would like something comfortable and with a few toys. I've heard that the powered tailgates pack in. Can they be opened manually?

[spike60]

A mixed bag then. It does tick a lot of boxes for that I want from a car. I will be doing longer journeys soon so would like something comfortable and with a few toys. I've heard that the powered tailgates pack in. Can they be opened manually?

Tailgate can still work manually, the warning light has been on ever since we got it but I've never looked at the problem. Engine bay snug for fuel filters etc. Like Avensis of the same age they tend to not be well rustproofed undeneath, an Avensis the same age (2006) belonging to friend needed new arms on the front as they had rotted. The same Toyota burst both rear brake steel pipes on MOT at 6 years old.

Back to the Honda, it's been big, economical and above all reliable which is what was wanted, it's been a success for us.

In answer to long journey comment, when we went across Holland and Germany in the spring I gave my son the choice of cars as we would be sharing the driving.  He chose the seedy 255k miles1999 BMW 530d estate over his 2006 Honda with 1/2 the miles as he said the BMW is a better motorway car.

[vaughant]

Tailgate can still work manually, the warning light has been on ever since we got it but I've never looked at the problem. Engine bay snug for fuel filters etc. Like Avensis of the same age they tend to not be well rustproofed undeneath, an Avensis the same age (2006) belonging to friend needed new arms on the front as they had rotted. The same Toyota burst both rear brake steel pipes on MOT at 6 years old.

Back to the Honda, it's been big, economical and above all reliable which is what was wanted, it's been a success for us.

In answer to long journey comment, when we went across Holland and Germany in the spring I gave my son the choice of cars as we would be sharing the driving. He chose the seedy 255k miles1999 BMW 530d estate over his 2006 Honda with 1/2 the miles as he said the BMW is a better motorway car.

And in the interest of fair unbiased reporting the avensis had been known to suffer OMGHGF which is a big ballache, mine was bought by the Po with this very issue and he replaced the whole lump for one from a 2008 model where the fault was cured. To be fair Toyota did offer to repair it for ten years after the warranty whetter it had been serviced with them or not which I thought was pretty good.

 

My mate works for Toyota in the service dept and he did say to me they very rarely see them for anything other than routine servicing which is good.

 

Any second hand car had its pitfalls I suppose but I think it's a far better option than a mk3/4 Mondeo as I don't know anybody that hadn't had lots of issues with them.

 

Shame as they drive lovely.

[vaughant]

And also seeing the production standards in Honda they are VERY stringent on assembly quality, can't see many faults occurring due to production issues.

[stripped fred]

I' now contemplating which engine to go for, 2.2 diesel, 2.0 or 2.4 petrol. I do about 15k a year. I've only had diesels for the last 10 years but a petrol is a possibility if it reduces the chance of big bills.

[SiC]

2006 on, Honda improved a few of the problems on the 2.2 diesel - basically around when the spaceship Civic came out. Early accords with the 2.2 had cracked manifold problems which was resolved later. For a long time, Honda extended the warranty on these. Also IMRC valve can give problems but easily changed DIY. Clutch longevity wasn't solved until the 2009 clutch plate revision. This seemed to solve it.

 

My Civic with the 2.2 has done 141k (bought at 80k). Clutch was done at 97k but not the DMF. If you don't let it slip too long before having the clutch changed it won't kill it. Apart from that, mine has had no work on the engine except general servicing.

 

My thought is that it's the last of the robust, long life's diesels. Used part prices on eBay back that up.