The new news 24 thread

[wuvvum]

Wow, that is an odd looking thing isn't it?

[r.welfare]

Gopping lights compared to a normal Panda but if you are happy who am I to judge

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I love it!!!! Its like an ordinary panda thats been on some sort of 'shite atkins diet'

[The Moog]

What's the Mohican?

[catsinthewelder]

That looks like fun.

[Ghosty]

I like that.

 

There should be a 4WD Citroen Cactus.

[Ghosty]

A month ago the mother and I went to look at a Cooper S auto.

 

They've still got it, because who the fuck wants an auto MCS? It's £100 cheaper now good luck selling that, lads.

I've noticed an even better one at a price I know we'd get direct p/x at, and even better it's one of the supercharged ones now. 

I kind of want to suggest it, but I don't think I should...

[BorniteIdentity]

Collection day for me today.  I've not bought any chod since #BrexitDay and I'm starting to get withdrawal symptoms.

 

(A bit like the FTSE 250)

 

Anyway, the remedy is definitely to buy something you don't need with money you don't have to park in a space that doesn't exist.  

 

It'll be the most civilised pick up of the year.  Chauffeur driven modern there, money through the letterbox and drive off in luxurious style to a meal of tea and medals.

 

Well, that's the plan anyway.  I've got my AA Card just in case the inevitable happens!

[BorniteIdentity]

In other news, Facebook reminded me that this time last year the Avensis featured in Autocar Magazine.

 

 

Now on 188,400.  Had a clutch 3 months ago but that's it.  Same tyres as when it was in the magazine, and still with 4-5 mm left all round!

 

 

[Bobthebeard]

Steering wheel now off thanks to a generic puller. Will allow me to investigate the previous bodges on the starter switch on the Oldsmobile. Bonnet release cable replaced with an aftermarket part. The seats and carpet are to be removed for deep cleaning as are totally minging really. The smell of damp and the oily carpets annoys me. Lack of rear foglight rectified. Rear headlining drooping partially sorted, but needs more adhesive. This is my second neglected yank car, and a pattern is emerging here... Old American cars seem to be run into the ground and neglegted. Shame really. They deserve more.

[twosmoke300]

Looks like my Saab has found a new home - flew though its mot again . Just gonna give it a service and rear pads morro for the new owner and shes off.

I will miss it im sure , it was fast (235hp), comfy and reliable but im kinda bored having had it for 5 years now . Sold it for 50 more than I paid for it so cant be too bad.

 

Got a random 306 hdi coming morro , friend of the outlaws . Was going to scrap it because a garage scared him with the price of an injector . Mot til may and meant to be really clean . Scrap money he says ! Might move it on through here when its fixed.

[danthecapriman]

Steering wheel now off thanks to a generic puller. Will allow me to investigate the previous bodges on the starter switch on the Oldsmobile. Bonnet release cable replaced with an aftermarket part. The seats and carpet are to be removed for deep cleaning as are totally minging really. The smell of damp and the oily carpets annoys me. Lack of rear foglight rectified. Rear headlining drooping partially sorted, but needs more adhesive. This is my second neglected yank car, and a pattern is emerging here... Old American cars seem to be run into the ground and neglegted. Shame really. They deserve more.

I think a lot of old yanks get bought by people with the best intentions but they soon get pissed off with the issues caused by the cars never being sold here like parts availability and prices to get them here. They seem to suffer from neglect a bit more because of our shitty climate too, people bring them over from dry states then do nothing to stop them from rusting now they're in a cold wet country with a worlds supply of salt dumped on it's roads every winter. You'd think though that given the cost involved in getting the cars over here people would take better care of them.

 

With your carpet, get a wet vacuum carpet cleaner on it if it's coming out. I did this twice with my Granada's carpet as that was oily and filthy. It got it back to a nice standard but it takes ages to dry properly. I had a dry sunny weekend when I did mine then hung it up over the washing line to get it dry.

[Bobthebeard]

I think a lot of old yanks get bought by people with the best intentions but they soon get pissed off with the issues caused by the cars never being sold here like parts availability and prices to get them here. They seem to suffer from neglect a bit more because of our shitty climate too, people bring them over from dry states then do nothing to stop them from rusting now they're in a cold wet country with a worlds supply of salt dumped on it's roads every winter. You'd think though that given the cost involved in getting the cars over here people would take better care of them.

 

With your carpet, get a wet vacuum carpet cleaner on it if it's coming out. I did this twice with my Granada's carpet as that was oily and filthy. It got it back to a nice standard but it takes ages to dry properly. I had a dry sunny weekend when I did mine then hung it up over the washing line to get it dry.

 

The amount of neglect on this car is enormous really. Broken locks, broken bonnet release cable, broken rear spring, all brake pads worn out, rusted brake discs, leaking transmission pan, bodged ignition lock, broken boot lid spring, broken steering lock, The list goes on really...

[dollywobbler]

I'm fast starting to think that it's the same story with grey imports from Japan too. My Honda had certainly not seen a whole lot of love in its time in the UK. "These go on forever" is code for "doesn't need servicing, ever" I think.

[For Fiats Sake]

What's the Mohican?

just a stylised roof rack.

 

This being my fifth mk3 I was ready for a different look, these only come in diesel flavour so was an obvious choice.  

 

I can't wait to get it off road!

[richardmorris]

I imagine a proper, skilled locksmith would be able to get it removed in this scenario?

Yes, but the dealer still wants the car on their forecourt before they will order the replacement.

[AMC Rebel]

This is my second neglected yank car, and a pattern is emerging here... Old American cars seem to be run into the ground and neglegted. Shame really. They deserve more.

 

 

I think a lot of old yanks get bought by people with the best intentions but they soon get pissed off with the issues caused by the cars never being sold here like parts availability and prices to get them here.

 

 

Bodges on my AMC - 

 

Servo brake booster from flip knows what fitted - never worked, in fact I'd venture to say it was worse than no booster.  When I finally sourced the correct one, I found various bits of old steel rod sawn up and placed in the end of the master cylinder (loose) along with a million thin brass washers on the 4 fixing bolts - this was a previous owner's cack handed attempt to line it all up and it's frankly a flaming miracle we all survived.

 

Lucas alternator fitted with a variety of Heath Robinson bracketry - it never ran true to the engine, always at a slightly jaunty angle and was impossible to get the belt tension to anywhere sensible due to the crap bracket arrangement.  Now replaced and rewired with a Motorola original from my parts car - but not sure how long that'll last as they have a reputation for fragility.

 

Wrong fuel tank fitted (this is probably something to do with the poorly repaired rear end damage done at some time past). It has no proper breather for filling and consequently takes about 15 mins to fill as you have to put the juice in so slowly.  I have a spare (correct) tank but it needs a cleanup before fitting.

 

Terrible exhaust system cobbled up from all sorts. 

[spike60]

Yes, but the dealer still wants the car on their forecourt before they will order the replacement.

When I ordered a W126 key they wanted a digital pic of the stamped vin on the bulkhead, a photo I.D and the V5 before ordering. They wanted the car there when key was delivered so they could check remote, immobiliser etc. Once I assured them it had nowt like that they were happy just to hand it over.

[spike60]

On the way to work this morning I passed a very smart yellow P reg Mk1 Cavalier parked on Redcar seafront. It seems a period film is being filmed there at the mo. No other period cars though

[egg]

Has anyone signed their car up for film work?

 

http://www.filmcars.co.uk/

 

http://www.caristhestar.com/

 

No scam-age involved??

[vulgalour]

Chompy found the persistant oil leak on the Princess today, one that I've never been able to pin down.  There's a blanking plate on the side of the sump/gearbox casing on the passenger side, it doesn't do much leaking until you run the car and then oil just squirts out everywhere!  How I've not seen this for the four years I've owned the car I don't really know, perhaps it just had to get to a critical point to show up.  Easy to resolve at least.

 

The squeal isn't the clutch, that's a loose alternator belt.  Another easy fix.  New condenser and a new can of fuel were also put in the car and now it idles better but I haven't yet got it warmed up enough to idle off the choke fully.  We are getting there.  Oh, and we almost got the compression fitting repair completed, we just ran out of light to see to line up the pipe with the displacer properly so we could screw it all together so we'll be doing that tomorrow.

 

Pretty satisfying hour or two of tinkering for us both at any rate.  Here's hoping the compression fitting repair works!

[danthecapriman]

Bodges on my AMC - 

 

Servo brake booster from flip knows what fitted - never worked, in fact I'd venture to say it was worse than no booster.  When I finally sourced the correct one, I found various bits of old steel rod sawn up and placed in the end of the master cylinder (loose) along with a million thin brass washers on the 4 fixing bolts - this was a previous owner's cack handed attempt to line it all up and it's frankly a flaming miracle we all survived.

 

Lucas alternator fitted with a variety of Heath Robinson bracketry - it never ran true to the engine, always at a slightly jaunty angle and was impossible to get the belt tension to anywhere sensible due to the crap bracket arrangement.  Now replaced and rewired with a Motorola original from my parts car - but not sure how long that'll last as they have a reputation for fragility.

 

Wrong fuel tank fitted (this is probably something to do with the poorly repaired rear end damage done at some time past). It has no proper breather for filling and consequently takes about 15 mins to fill as you have to put the juice in so slowly.  I have a spare (correct) tank but it needs a cleanup before fitting.

 

Terrible exhaust system cobbled up from all sorts.

 

I got away with any sort of bodgery really on mine, it seems to of been left more or less as it was built then when it became fucked and worn out it was just parked up and left alone for years until I bought it over here.

The bodgery started (and ended!) with the attempts to get it home once it was here. The original starter died so the importers used a small block Ford starter to get it running. This has the same fixing pattern but isn't big enough for the big block in my car so, predictably, it literally blew to bits on the way home! When the engine was rebuilt they found loads of old bits of the starters bearings etc in the bell housing.

[Lord Sterling]

I have this dilemma. With all the travelling I do, I see a lot of vehicles on the road, old and new. Some of the cars I grew up with have started to play on mind meaning I really want to own one. I can't at the moment but I really want to own either a Citroen Xantia or, a Toyota Carina e.

 

Not sure why the Xantia has entered my car owning desire, however the Carina is just in front on the desire front. I really want one like this:

 

 

An early model in this colour with those trims.

 

In other news, I will be driving Ma and her Micra down to the Isle of Shite tomorrow as they will be both be long-term residents down there. Anyone know of any good car washes down there? Micra needs a valet.

 

Lastly, I drove a Dacia Duster today and I liked it. It kept up well with a BMW 520d that was trying to show off.

[beko1987]

you want a xantia! supernaught wants rid of his I think...

[Ghosty]

Carina Es are great, I have fond memories of a purple one being used as a taxi when I was young. Avensisisieses just don't have the same appeal (what is it with Toyota and pointless renaming?).

[Richard]

I would go after a Carina first, they will disappear before Xantias do.

[dollywobbler]

There are quite a few very nice Carina Es about at the moment. Definitely the time to buy.

[robinmasters]

This morning I woke up and thought 'Fellas, I'm ready to get up and do my thing, moving and doing it, you know?'.

 

So, sadly, I did.

 

[Supernaut]

you want a xantia! supernaught wants rid of his I think...

Yeah, kind of.

 

I've had my LHM fun, and once the novelty wears off, it's just a boring big HDi hatchback.

 

It's still nice to wallow about in, but the BMW 316 is more, er... pointy. If you know what I mean. I reckon the Civic aerodeck could be a right laugh once it's sorted.

 

However, I also have a buyer lined up for the Xantia, he just needs to shift his current car for sale, so it's a chain. Doesn't bother me, as it's handy to still have a car. No idea when the Civic will be road legal.

[Bear]

I think that farmers are having to develop land rapidly due to planning restrictions being placed on them, so the farm is going to be a very different place for a year. Oh well.

 

There is a slight distraction:

 

 

Vodafone are still crap, and because I wanted a posh new phone when I moved to O2, I still have no phone. ARGH.

Smart looks like it's going back dahn sarf

Going to rush through a few jobs on the 200TE to hand it back

Have absolutely no idea what to do with the MG F

Cannot get the enthusiasm to fix the Twingo. How hard can it be, really? Why wasn't it an OHV one!