The new news 24 thread

[dollywobbler]

That looks great, Trig. Just make sure that Phileas Fogg and his deflated balloon don't twat into the other side though.

 

Lol! Don't forget to don some moccasins for the genuine sale shots too.

[Cavcraft]

The turkey has landed, another hopeless Pug has joined the fleet. This one has THE WRONG FUEL TYPE though, dirty petrol engine little bastard that it is.

[dollywobbler]

I finished fiddling with the 2CV and gave it a wash today. Then I gave the BX turbo diesel a wash too. I washed the estate last week. I'm now terrified to drive anywhere. You know, rat look has its appeal sometimes. At least you wouldn't be worried about getting your car a bit muddy.

[warren t claim]

The turkey has landed, another hopeless Pug has joined the fleet. This one has THE WRONG FUEL TYPE though, dirty petrol engine little bastard that it is.

 

A pleasure doing business with you as usual. Those £25 notes you paid me in were a novelty, never seen those before.

[R9UKE]

Well done, Cav. Little pov spec honey with tropical decals, nice one.

 

Well I seem to have crossed another off my bucket list this evening. A Daewoo Leganza. In brown.

[Cavcraft]

I saw that, Luke, it looks great! Did you get it for CAP in the end?

 

Warren: Don't touch them yet mate, ink will still be wet. Don't worry about the picture of Roger Taylor on them, there was a mix up at the printers. Just draw a crown on them or something.

[R9UKE]

Unfortunately the dealer paid £200 for it in trade in, so not quite. But I wasn't going to turn it down at that.

[wuvvum]

I had a brown Leganza. Nothing really wrong with it as such, just rather characterless despite the cheesy grille. Quite gutless for a 2-litre as well I thought. They are good VFM though, and make a comfy motorway car.

[Jimcit]

Other half's Alfa returned from garage following its 'fall' from a ramp. It turned out to have just rolled back off the ramp and hit a stationary object which dented the boot and smashed the window.

 

Anyhow, it's back now, they've valeted the crap out of it and they discounted the service for the inconvenience. Best of all, the courtesy Punto in a horrible orangey red colour and sign writing all over it has gone back!

 

Also, since my company car got repossessed (long story!) the Acadiane is responding well to being driven daily and it's making me fix all the little niggly things that have been annoying me.

[Lord Sterling]

Rover saga.......

 

This morning, I'd been invited by Brad to bring my car down so we could have a look to see what the problem might be. Driving there was a challenge and rather embarrassing with plumes of smoke filling the otherwise already polluted air of Birmingham. On the motorway the car seemed fine, less smoke, but getting through the A roads was a challenge, as I pulled off the motorway onto the slip road I prayed the lights would stay green but kind of knew they wouldn't, I didn't want to stop because of the smoke but had to. I grinned and beared it atthe lights until it decided to change. Getting onto the A roads the temperature guage did raise slightly, thinking it was going to blow I slowed to a stop but couldn't get up the verge, then suddenly, a load of cars came from nowhere and with me blocking the road and filling the air with white smoke kind of didn't help

 

The temp gauge didnt seem to raise any higher but was higher than normal temp, so I decided to start moving and try and get off the road to switch the car off to let it cool. I pulled off into a layby and switch the car off, but time was getting on and my heart was racing, I switched the grumbly car back on and start my journey again, temp gauge got back down again to under half way, as I approached the lights praying that it was green but alas, it wasn't. I brought the car to a halt which it didn't like grumbling and shaking, again, I had to bear it and wait for what seemed like forever until the lights bothered to change and those I front of me decided to wake up and move, I was nearly at my destination.

 

The temp guage raised and fell despite me carrying on driving, I was near my destination so kept on until I finally brought it to a halt. Brad had a look and it seems like the smoke and show seems like a piston problem or some sort of internal mechanical problem, the smoke coming directly from exhaust looked like it had a very slight blue tint to it and Brad didn't think it smelt like coolant, more a burnt oily smell. Up on start up the engine was very clattery.

 

The problem still hasn't been confirmed, but whatever it is the engine may need to be changed. Just what I need

[wuvvum]

The Stagea passed its MoT today - needed a couple of CV boots but that was it. Apparently it has an LSD on the back, which I didn't think was usual for a Stagea - maybe it's had a Skyline diff fitted at some point. It's certainly had a few other tweaks, such as coilovers and a turbo timer, although engine-wise it seems to be pretty standard, and going on the performance I don't think it can be running much more than the standard 250bhp.

 

Not sure at the moment whether to keep it for a while or flog it and get something else a bit interesting - top of the list at the moment would be either a manual twin turbo Z32 or a W210 E430 estate, but that's liable to change and next week I'll probably want a Humber Super Snipe or something.

[vulgalour]

After much deliberation I've decided the Maestro is only going to be with me until next year and I am going to shelve any plans to van it and will instead focus on restoration, of which there's not much to do bar buy trim and weld some arches up. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle trying to make the Maestro fit me, and it's a battle I'm losing the more I use it. I do like my Maestro, it's a cracking little car, but it doesn't give me the warm fuzzies and I dread long journeys in it because I can't get comfortable. So, I'm going to get a car I think I will get on with because they're closer related to the Princess which is a car I struggle to find fault with as a daily, except for her drinking problem, but I can let her off with that one little foible.

 

This is my first choice. Ideally in Citron, Applejack or black. I suspect it'll do everything I need, be as competent as the Maestro but more comfortable and feel a lot like the Princess. I reckon it'll always put a smile on my face too.

 

Second choice is the venerable Maxi. Not as avant garde as the Allegro, perhaps, but for what I want it comes with high praise. There's the added bonus that Maxi prices don't seem to be jacked up too high even for good ones, they come in a selection of colours I like and they're very practical. Again, similar to the Princess inside, I should expect, and a similar driving experience too no doubt so I should be happy.

 

What I need to do next, since I feel I've exhausted what I can learn online about the above, is to actually get out there and have a good poke around a couple of Maxis and Allegros to really get a feel for them and find out if they are a sensible replacement. As much as I prefer early model looks, I'll probably purchase a later model if I can as I reckon I'd be likely to get a better car for the same money. Hopefully, this idea isn't too hare brained.

[wuvvum]

Having owned examples of all three, I found that the Maxi is absolutely bugger all like a Princess to drive. It feels more like an overgrown hydrolastic Mini, even down to the bizarre driving position. Gearchange is a lot worse than a Princess, even on later cars. They are quite spacious though, and a lot more practical with the hatchback.

 

I'd prefer an Allegro myself - feels more like a "normal" car to drive, and if you avoid the the 998 / 1098 A series engines, they cope just as well as any modern car and don't handle badly at all, especially the later cars.

[Pete-M]

Funny you should mention finding it hard deciding what to buy. I too was looking at a E430 estate, and then I spotted an E55 AMG estate in a very subtle metallic green.

 

I was very, very tempted.

 

 

Turns out I'll have the Galant VR-4 next week, so that'll take up my car space for a while.

 

Other things I was looking at included a Focus ST 170 Estate, not many of those about. There's a bloody lovely S430 Limo in Lewisham for sale, but I don't believe the mileage.

[skattrd]

I'm home, exhausted .... I now own a Daihatsu Storia X4 ... I think I like it.

I'll post a collection story later. However that won't be until I've had a nap, and food, and the rugby, and maybe another nap

[Volksy]

Some scrote decided it would be a good idea to break into the Lancia the other night, thankfully no damage done apart from a broken mirror glass. They tried to get into the Audi as well. Guess they are the easiest cars to break into in my carpark.

[Pete-M]

 

My big purple weapon passed its test today, but here's a pic of my car instead.

[trigger]

The headlights on my Mondeo are shit at best so today I decided to bite the bullet and invest in some expensive xenon type "120% brighter bollocks" H7 bulbs for it, as I've been round my dad's all day clearing his garage so I can get the Alto in there to work on the head gasket I fitted them whilst I was round his, and decided to go across country to my mums and test them out, less then a mile from my dad's i drove down the mother of all pot hoes and blew my bloody tyre out.

 

It was pitch black and in the middle of nowhere so i had to ring my dad to come up and give me a hand, I got the wheel of to find a nice dent on the inside alloy rim (I was in the Mondeo), great, luckily dad had a club hammer in his van so he managed to bash the rim straight again, and as his work shop was around the corner with a compressor we pumped it back up again.

 

It seems to have a tiny air leak still after a water test but I managed to drive home back to Ipswich from Colchester without it going flat or any wobbles so fingers crossed I've got away lightly, I'm hoping the 30 mile drive home is another to reseal the tyre.

 

And the lights are a bit better too, which is nice.

[R9UKE]

Had a great car day here, the sun was out and I was avoiding dissertation work (as I'm still doing now)

 

Mate came over with his Lexia to diagnose the ABS light on the 406 V6. Nice and simple, RH front wheel sensor. I was also hoping the Lexia would be the key to resurrecting the C5 V6, but it failed to take the car out of economy mode and instead just listed random faults for every single aspect of the bloody car. It'll live one day, still haven't eliminated the starter motor as the issue.

 

Took the Laguna II V6 out for a spin after nearly a month. Once you get over the smell of burning oil, the true extent to what an amazing car it is really shines through. The Avantime topped off the afternoon, cruising in open air mode despite it only being 3 degrees

 

Unfortunately the good feelings were dampened slightly by an epic Swedish fail. Went to close the bonnet after having the battery booster on to start it.... the hinge broke lose on one side (rusted to buggery), and in turned buckled the other side. So the bonnet now sits like this. Quick call to a Volvo hoarder/breaker who had been in touch with me and I just sold the bastard... because I know I'll never be bothered to fix that, and the billion other things it needs for MOT.

 

 

 

 

Also picked up the auction purchases from Thursday night. Both main dealer trade ins, one a very unremarkable but solid VW Polo. Driving spot on, fairly tidy too, it'll be on Gumtree for £395 before the week is out.

 

 

The second is much more in keeping with this site. A 1998 Daewoo Leganza 2.0 CDX. One owner from absolute new, not even a dealer as a previous keeper in the logbook. And of course, two keys, full service history - he continued servicing it at the Chevrolet main dealer after Daewoo disappeared, full set of Daewoo mats, and even the cover for the fascia off the stereo. Drives lovely, 2 litre is a bit underpowered but the gear shift is nice and the seats are absolutely superb. Some of the most comfortable I've ever sat in - lower back support is top class (no, I swear, I am really only 21). Refinement could be better and it seems to be leaking water into the boot just at the top of the light clusters. It's MOTd until the end of March, but seeing as it's only done 2000 miles since it's last, I may as well put a full ticket on it. Then.... £695? Too salty?

 

 

 

[cort16]

I was down visting my Dad in the borders today and also visiting a fellow shitter about a potential purchase. Me and my old man were out and about when I spotted what I thought was TR7 in the distance. We were enroute to get a scone and some tea so a TR7 wasn't enough to deflect me from my route so I decided to go back later to investigate. What I found was a shite triangle.

 

Here's the TR7. It's for sale for £1200 if you fancy one and it looked okay.

 

I then looked over and there was a garage sitting open with a clan crusader sitting in it

 

And on the way back to the car (that was just around the corner from the TR7) i saw this Ambassado.

[Lord Sterling]

Rover stuff....

 

My Sterling is currently sitting at Brads place awaiting a diagnose by one of the brilliant mechanics guys from the R800 forum, I didn't realise this until I went on the forum. If the engine is well and truley borked the I shall be able to secure a 2.7 Honda unit + gearbox (which I don't really need, but ya never know....) for not much a ton. Hopefully if I ask nicely, I should be able to ask if the engine can be fitted too, whilst the engine is out of the car I shall try and get a new cambelt and waterpump fitted.

 

Hopefully, the free KV6 Sterling should be making its way down here very soon too, can't wait.

 

Finally, things are looking a brighter for once.

[vulgalour]

 

These seem to be a lot of car for not a lot of money and I'm considering adding them to my Maestro replacement shortlist. I have a feeling that it would be too big, too impractical and too much like a French version of the Princess for me to have any benefit and therefore wouldn't be a suitable replacement... but, they're a beautiful thing.

[cort16]

 

These seem to be a lot of car for not a lot of money and I'm considering adding them to my Maestro replacement shortlist. I have a feeling that it would be too big, too impractical and too much like a French version of the Princess for me to have any benefit and therefore wouldn't be a suitable replacement... but, they're a beautiful thing.

 

 

A-hem LPG'd, mot'd and 650 quid.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-CITROEN-CX-PALLAS-5-speed-/221184099185?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item337f998371

[vulgalour]

So tempting, but I'm not in a position to buy right now. I really didn't expect to be considering French... a diesel BX is also tempting now since that's another car I love the look of and have always wanted to own, the size of it would be offset by the massive mpgs those old French dizzlers seem to get.

[cort16]

I'd quite like that CX myself but I've not got anything 20 foot to keep it in or on.

[Lacquer Peel]

So tempting, but I'm not in a position to buy right now. I really didn't expect to be considering French... a diesel BX is also tempting now since that's another car I love the look of and have always wanted to own, the size of it would be offset by the massive mpgs those old French dizzlers seem to get.

 

BXs aren't that big, only 7 inches longer than your Maestro and 9 inches shorter than the Princess.

[vulgalour]

I have contacted Dollywobbler about Stripey. I am endeavouring to hatch a plan.

[M'coli]

A-hem LPG'd, mot'd and 650 quid.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-CITROEN-CX-PALLAS-5-speed-/221184099185?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item337f998371

Isn't that Aphrodite, and well known to the forum?

 

Edit - it is Aphrodite...

[Rocket88]

Me and my oppo spent eleventy hours trying to vacuum bleed the clutch on an Audi TT........could not get a pedal. In desperation, trawled through the internet for inspiration, to discover that you need to pressure bleed the bloody thing......didn't have one, so down to local motor factors, returning with shiny new toy....to discover, after much pumping, that the seal in the cap that you screw onto the resevoir was missing. Back to the aforementioned emporium, brief rant produces a seal. From the time we connected up the pressure bleeder to the resevoir, we had a clutch in less that 3 minutes....

[Wilko220]

Some people may recall discussion of this on the 'stupid question amnesty' thread, but I had a go at sorting the incessant indicator clicking on the 306 today - and it worked a treat. Iron filings were the problem.

For anyone who has the same problem, I thoroughly recomment this excellent guide: http://www.306gti6.com/forum/showthread.php?id=151758