Done with old shit.

[skoda_fan]

It's always at the back of my mind that I'm done with old shit on the grounds that I'm wasting too much time/money/thought process, and I occasionally act on it and have a clear-out. I then immediately regret it and end up replacing what I've just got rid of at three times the price (see "Expensive" thread).

[stephen01]

Having just took on an Honda Accord touring 2.2 diesel with 226k on the clock I'm amazed just how good it is for a 14 year old diesel, FULL Honda dealer service history, backed up with ££ worth of Honda receipts. Decent goodyears all round, it's obviously been looked after by the previous owner of 12 years!

[stripped fred]

Having just took on an Honda Accord touring 2.2 diesel with 226k on the clock I'm amazed just how good it is for a 14 year old diesel, FULL Honda dealer service history, backed up with ££ worth of Honda receipts. Decent goodyears all round, it's obviously been looked after by the previous owner of 12 years!

I've decided that it will be my next car. They do seem to be more likely to have been looked after than some cars. Is yours the Executive or the Sport spec?

[BorniteIdentity]

Having just took on an Honda Accord touring 2.2 diesel with 226k on the clock I'm amazed just how good it is for a 14 year old diesel, FULL Honda dealer service history, backed up with ££ worth of Honda receipts. Decent goodyears all round, it's obviously been looked after by the previous owner of 12 years!

The next, and only other thing you need to do, is keep on top of it. If you pick off the jobs as they arrive, you’ll be onto a winner.

[stephen01]

I think it's the executive, leather,heated, electric seats, power boot, etc etc

 

Only thing it needs is the power steering has a slight leak, not sure I it's the pump or rack, must ask my mechanic, sailed though it's MOT.

[stephen01]

[stripped fred]

Maybe this would be good as a winter beater?

[sierraman]

Could be ok, could be cabbed within an inch of its life. While I know a lot of cars can do 200k plus and some of them might be a good buy, a lot are parted on when they really are very ropey.

 

It’d suggest to me it’s probably seen time on the minicab circuit. I’d probably assume so until proven otherwise.

 

Also MOT out in 2 month with a shit load of advisories last 2 tests. Like I say, could be ok, could be sacking it off now before it fails the test big time.

[stripped fred]

Could be ok, could be cabbed within an inch of its life. While I know a lot of cars can do 200k plus and some of them might be a good buy, a lot are parted on when they really are very ropey.

 

It’d suggest to me it’s probably seen time on the minicab circuit. I’d probably assume so until proven otherwise.

 

Also MOT out in 2 month with a shit load of advisories last 2 tests. Like I say, could be ok, could be sacking it off now before it fails the test big time.

I don't think it's a good example. There's another for £750 with 154k and two owners with a longer mot which I would be tempted by. Not a bad mot history either.

[sierraman]

I’d say see if it’ll start easy from cold, give it a good run, if there’s no clag and it’ll idle smooth then could be ok. I’ll tell you now you aren’t buying a life partner with any common rail diesel. Be prepared to frag it if it starts giving you trouble. But at £750 if you have a few years out of it you’ve had your money’s worth. At least with this if it all goes tits up in six months you’ll get a bit back breaking it.

[Wack]

I bought a 56 plate diesel focus a couple of years ago, cheap because the dpf was knackered , £400 for a new one , happy days

 

Had it just over a year then decided to get shot , the mechanic I use knew somebody who was looking for one so an easy sale

 

FF 12 months and I happened to be in there when my old car was , he'd never mentioned it but I dodged a bullet there , a couple of months later the clutch went , dmf was knackered too

 

Then 3 months after that the bottom end started knocking so he had a new engine put in it , then the dpf fucked up again because he was doing 5 mile trips in it

 

Talk about bad luck

[Hendry]

This is the problem with overstressed over complicated commonrail diesels, consistently needing to be cleaner, more powerful and still produce high mpg means it’s a ticking time bomb for issues like high pressure fuel pumps, oil pumps, in tank fuel pumps, egr valves, DPFs, dual mass flywheels going wrong and it’s like roulette at a casino, you never know what it’s going to be and can never predict it.

 

I honestly don’t see the point in diesels nor why they suddenly became hugely popular over the last 10-12 years because petrols were fine before this, even the vast majority of taxi drivers had petrols, they are cheaper to buy, generally more refined, quieter, more reliable and don’t stink, and the trade off of 10mpg less than a diesel surely in the grand scheme of things for most people hardly costs any extra in fuel, and certainly not enough to ever make back the extra purchase cost of a diesel and that’s before you even consider the savings in repair bills. Modern diesels scare me, I don’t trust them to do long journeys without an FTP where I would trust and uncomplicated petrol engine that whilst there may be issues it won’t strand you even if it plays up.

[Bren]

Today I was quoted several hundred pounds to replace parts that will extinguish some warning lights.

 

The car is a 13 year old audi.

The technician seemed a bit surprised when I was reluctant to give the go ahead - a similar aged mondeo or astra would have been bridged for the same.

 

Even German cars are now built with parts made by the lowrst bidder, suffice to say my first audi will also be my last.

[SiC]

As I said in the other thread, it can be fixed reasonably priced with second hand parts. This is the same as it has always been. Modern cars are DIY fixable, but just require a different set of skills than older ones do. Mostly electronic and computer.

 

In some ways, no real different to when engines had alloy heads, overhead cams and the like. Or suspension moving from lever arms to struts. I'm sure when those cars were new, there were plenty of people moaning about how "difficult" they are to fix.

 

Also most modern cars are built using the technologies from a small number of companies - mostly Bosch. This is because these small number of companies hold most of the IP and patents in tech that are used in modern cars.

 

Also the cost of developing competing systems is very, very high. Automotive is notoriously difficult to get a product through approval. Realistically a small company wouldn't come up with an idea, develop, approve and then take to market. You get a design in of a prototype and then it is productised to automotive - usually by a tiered supplier.

 

Due to all this, parts invariably are designed to be as cheap as possible to reclaim these costs. Due to the high barrier of entry, there isn't a huge amount of competition to drive the costs lower.

[23rdian]

I've never had a newer than year 2000 car and I think you can get good ones and bad ones (just like anything newer)

 

Generally anything mechanically simple and ideally well rust protected are the best.

 

Best cars to date in no particular order:

Honda Prelude 2.2 (although import so parts were a PITA)

Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6 Mk3

Vauxhall Nova 1.0

Skoda Felicia 1.3

 

I detest anything with coded parts (Vectra etc). In a few years it will all be electric anyway

[garethj]

I honestly don’t see the point in diesels nor why they suddenly became hugely popular over the last 10-12 years because petrols were fine before this

 

Really?  Since I started doing long commutes I really noticed the difference between running a petrol and a diesel.  As we know, cars have got generally bigger and heavier and that's where the difference is.

 

A diesel supermini might get 65mpg where a petrol one gets 50mpg, that's not a huge difference in monthly outgoings because the fuel is such a small amount of money.  But with a big saloon car it's the difference between 50mpg for a diesel and 35mpg for a petrol.  This is on a typical commute here, in traffic a diesel scores over a petrol and there's a lot of traffic out there.

 

On 4x4s the difference is even greater, 20mpg for a petrol and 35mpg from a diesel makes a huge difference.  That's why people love diesels.

[stripped fred]

Really? Since I started doing long commutes I really noticed the difference between running a petrol and a diesel. As we know, cars have got generally bigger and heavier and that's where the difference is.

 

A diesel supermini might get 65mpg where a petrol one gets 50mpg, that's not a huge difference in monthly outgoings because the fuel is such a small amount of money. But with a big saloon car it's the difference between 50mpg for a diesel and 35mpg for a petrol. This is on a typical commute here, in traffic a diesel scores over a petrol and there's a lot of traffic out there.

 

On 4x4s the difference is even greater, 20mpg for a petrol and 35mpg from a diesel makes a huge difference. That's why people love diesels.

I agree with you. The next argument that will be posted will be the increased cost of repairs on older diesels, dpf, dmf, injectors. My thoughts are this is true but petrols are becoming more complex too. I think it depends on the type of journeys you do. Regular long journeys favour a diesel. However, petrols are catching up fast if you go more modern.

[vaughant]

Really? Since I started doing long commutes I really noticed the difference between running a petrol and a diesel. As we know, cars have got generally bigger and heavier and that's where the difference is.

 

A diesel supermini might get 65mpg where a petrol one gets 50mpg, that's not a huge difference in monthly outgoings because the fuel is such a small amount of money. But with a big saloon car it's the difference between 50mpg for a diesel and 35mpg for a petrol. This is on a typical commute here, in traffic a diesel scores over a petrol and there's a lot of traffic out there.

 

On 4x4s the difference is even greater, 20mpg for a petrol and 35mpg from a diesel makes a huge difference. That's why people love diesels.

I also agree, I see 550/600 out of my Leon to a tank but the same journeys and speeds yield a respectable 380/400 out of the 2.2 zafira petrol with vaux petrols usually pretty frugal, it shows a pretty constant 30mpg. Same cost to fill so effective slightly more fuel in the zafira add is tuppence a litre less. That's a fair difference over a week or two.

Not sure if it's a bit too old for you but the end of line pd Passat's with high line trim and all the bells and whistles are really nice cars too, engine/box are really reliable and everyman and his dog know how to fix them.

 

DEFFO try the avensis along with the Honda though, such a lovely smooth car to drive.

 

Mine has no dmf either.

 

Clutch looks doable on it DIY to be fair, very easy thing to work on.

 

Seats are super comfy.

 

Toyota are pretty fastidious about quality as well, there's no bumps or rattles in it.

 

Honda are too but I just feel their trim and the like seems a lot cheaper. They are built well though, I can vouch for that personally.

[sierraman]

I can feel a ‘everything made after 1986 is shit’ theme coming on...

 

You can get a decent diesel for less than a grand but you’ve got to run it Bangernomics. Once you are into fannying around with injectors going and turbos, give it a one way ticket. Break it and hopefully get a few hundred back. There’s too much of the mentality that diesels are bulletproof from people that don’t know what they are talking about. They’ll last no longer than an equivalent petrol. Very likely less.

[danthecapriman]

An awful lot of it comes down to good old fashioned maintenance too.

Older modern diesels can be a good long term prospect if they're looked after well. My dad's got a 2010 Mondeo 2.0 diesel and it's been completely faultless. But it's not on a stupid long life service plan and gets a full service every year regardless of what Ford suggest or what the service light thinks.

It gets a good long high speed run often too to keep everything clean and not clogging it up.

 

What kills them is people pottering around at low speeds constantly, leaving them sat idling for long periods, not using them enough for long enough, and lack of clean engine oil!

I wouldn't want one myself as they're just not my cup of tea but I'd say there's not that many modern diesels that are really shit. It's how they're used (read - abused!).

[sierraman]

As much as I like the old type diesels, some of the 80’s and 90’s stuff is gold Autoshite, a lot of those that’s left are old nails.

[danthecapriman]

As much as I like the old type diesels, some of the 80’s and 90’s stuff is gold Autoshite, a lot of those that’s left are old nails.

They're probably just totally worn out tbh. Diesels have always traditionally been for high mileage users so the chances are any 80's or 90's ones that have managed to survive this long are likely to be on their last legs or due for some serious overhauling.

 

We had a dilemma with my mums old Focus (original shape 1.6 Zetec). It had been a fantastic car and barely put a foot wrong but the mileage was getting high and the early signs were beginning to show.

Eventually the choice was to spend some good coin on getting the Focus sorted and back to its best.

Or,

Call it a day on it while it was still working and had long mot. Then invest in a new(er) car instead and keep that long term like the old Focus.

 

In the end we did the latter. You could keep piling cash into old stuff but sometimes it's just time to call it a day. Nothing last forever.

My own case is different. I'm classic mad and detest moderns, I used to work on them for a living which pissed me off. But I don't mind working on old stuff, I don't mind welding rust holes or spending big on a respray etc etc. Most people don't like that though!

[sierraman]

Even when it’s time to call it a day they still last a sight longer than they did 30 years ago. A 15 year old Focus would be approaching the end of its life, you’d have spent a lot more time laid on your back keeping a 15 year old Escort Mk2 going.

[danthecapriman]

Even when it’s time to call it a day they still last a sight longer than they did 30 years ago. A 15 year old Focus would be approaching the end of its life, you’d have spent a lot more time laid on your back keeping a 15 year old Escort Mk2 going.

My driveway suggests otherwise!

[sierraman]

Amount of Mk2 Escorts on the road suggests otherwise. But no your driveways probably the exception.

 

Having said that in twenty years we’ll be chortling at someone pulling a Focus out of a canal for £20,000.

[danthecapriman]

Amount of Mk2 Escorts on the road suggests otherwise. But no your driveways probably the exception.

Having said that in twenty years we’ll be chortling at someone pulling a Focus out of a canal for £20,000.

Probably! Get em while they're cheap, store them somewhere and then use them to retire on.

 

Btw, I've got a sticker on my toolbox from one of the old Ford mags, it says 'old Fords never die! Cos some idiots keep bodgin' em back together again'.

 

Very true!

[sierraman]

I’ve tried this but it doesn’t make for domestic harmony.

[danthecapriman]

I’ve tried this but it doesn’t make for domestic harmony.

Or financial!! I wish I'd never started pissing about with my sodding Capri!

Should have left it alone...

[HMC]

I barely know what I'm doing one week to the next with cars but being done with old shit is something I've often decided, and then the next week I buy a clapped out old crate and repeat the process.

[danthecapriman]

I barely know what I'm doing one week to the next with cars but being done with old shit is something I've often decided, and then the next week I buy a clapped out old crate and repeat the process.

I think a lot depends on what you want from a car.

 

The vast majority of people want to get in and go without worry of it breaking down or dissolving when it rains.

 

There's a small minority of us though who accept worse in terms of reliability or longevity as we like to tinker with stuff and have a car that looks good with chrome and old fashioned style etc etc, or that you can waste a few hours with every weekend pissing about fixing stuff.

 

I get annoyed from time to time with my old stuff (the Mercurys carb issue lately!) but once it's sorted and all's well again I wouldn't want anything else tbh. My old classics give me so much more than going to a showroom and buying/leasing a new car ever could.

 

I don't subscribe to the nonsense of 'all old cars are shit' neither do I subscribe to the nonsense of 'anything after xxxx is shit' either.

If you don't like old cars don't have one! Simple!

Same if you don't like new or newer stuff.