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[cobblers]

My sister was about to scrap her Ka because it needs a coilpack and an MOT, and she barely drove it anyway. It's "fairly" clean and not that rotten, but it doesn't drive and it's parked on her mates drive in Leeds so I couldn't be arsed to collect it and try to fix it myself.

I was up at my Grans today fixing the dishwasher/printer/listening to the same story she's told me over 9000 times before/drinking slightly dodgy cups of tea/cutting a tree down,etc etc and she was moaning that she could do with PAS on her car (J reg mk3 fez)

 

Gears turned in my head, so now I have to go get the Ka from Leeds - I twisted my mates arm to A frame it me back.

 

Anyway, the Fiesta is actually less rusty than the Ka - Never been welded and is dead solid underneath. In the last 7 years it's only needed an exhaust on and a set of plugs in, whereas I had to weld the Ka last year for the MOT, so realistically from this point on it's probably going to cost me half a day welding once a year to get a ticket on it. Fiesta has probably another MOT in it before I need to do any welding and she really likes it.

 

Anyway, I'm not sure whether to:

 

Try and fit the PAS off the Ka to the Fiesta (They're the same under the skin, I think?) then weigh the rest in

or

Just fix the Ka and give it my nan - It'll probably need another bit of welding here and there, a coilpack and probably a cat since my sister drove it on 2 cylinders for about 3 months doing about 8mpg because she "couldn't afford" a £24 coilpack.

 

I think I'll probably just fix the Ka - for a start there's no choke for her to forget to turn off, and it's a bit smaller so she's less likely to bounce it off the walls down the side of the drive every time she goes to Asda.

[Lord Sterling]

Oooops, I appear to have won another car on ebay, a Mitsubishi RVR.

In my defence I didn't think my bid would meet reserve as these things are basically Mitsubishi evo's under the mini people carrier skin.

If anyone's interested: ebay link

 

Sweet. A bit 'agricultural meets street' look to it for my liking, but what are the plans for it. Broseley aint a million from me either. (Former Shropshire dweller)

[skattrd]

The rvr is for a fun winter hack, tat hauler and just in case of OMG SNO KAOS. I currently don't have an estate or 4wd and that should fit the bill of both.

I'm hoping I'll be able to run it for a few months and sell it without losing much money, fingers crossed for that one.

I'm off work next Mon/Tues so I'll be looking to catch the train to Telford to pick it up ... The drive home should tell me whether it's a keeper or not.

[skattrd]

The rvr is for a fun winter hack, tat hauler and just in case of OMG SNO KAOS. I currently don't have an estate or 4wd and that should fit the bill of both.

I'm hoping I'll be able to run it for a few months and sell it without losing much money, fingers crossed for that one.

I'm off work next Mon/Tues so I'll be looking to catch the train to Telford to pick it up ... The drive home should tell me whether it's a keeper or not.

[Pete-M]

Today I'm working my way through sorting out the XJR. First thing needed is a battery, which being bloody huge ain't gonna be cheap. Would have helped if it had been charged occasionally but that was out of my control so it's looking like £80 up the spout. Also, I've finally found the last needed 255/45/17 Continental part-worn, which is another £50 (new ones are £150+).

 

I'm actually quite happy it's raining as it'll soften all the shite that baked to the paintwork during it's 10 month stay away and make it easier to clean all the door jambs etc when I run it to the garage later. The valeters I use are going to give the floor mats a good going over where they've ended up filthy and covered in rigger boot prints (not from me, I hasten to add)

 

Tomorrow I'm gonna take it to my local welders and get the bits that didn't get done sorted. As that's about 99% of the welding it needed in the first place, I should have done this last year, but experience is a cruel teacher sometimes.

[Pete-M]

Today I'm working my way through sorting out the XJR. First thing needed is a battery, which being bloody huge ain't gonna be cheap. Would have helped if it had been charged occasionally but that was out of my control so it's looking like £80 up the spout. Also, I've finally found the last needed 255/45/17 Continental part-worn, which is another £50 (new ones are £150+).

 

I'm actually quite happy it's raining as it'll soften all the shite that baked to the paintwork during it's 10 month stay away and make it easier to clean all the door jambs etc when I run it to the garage later. The valeters I use are going to give the floor mats a good going over where they've ended up filthy and covered in rigger boot prints (not from me, I hasten to add)

 

Tomorrow I'm gonna take it to my local welders and get the bits that didn't get done sorted. As that's about 99% of the welding it needed in the first place, I should have done this last year, but experience is a cruel teacher sometimes.

[scruff]

I've just put a new clutch in my Landy.

 

 

 

That's all... anyone want to buy a Pug 106 or Mini?

[scruff]

I've just put a new clutch in my Landy.

 

 

 

That's all... anyone want to buy a Pug 106 or Mini?

[Pete-M]

 

Spent today polishing the loveliness that is my poor old Jag.

 

 

Didn't come up too badly. Unfortunately, I spotted this...

 

 

Which can only have happened during it's stay with the Welders. Where this was inflicted upon it by Tom the painter who used to have the unit they're in now. Tom did replace the rear bumper though, so can't complain much. It would have been nice if he'd attached it properly, but can't win 'em all. Not the end of the world to put things right.

 

 

Still, I suppose it just means I'll keep the thing and restore it properly back to how it should be. It'll get there. Just take a bit longer than planned...

 

Oh, spent an hour at the valeters today. Valeter jumped in the Jag to move it forward, as seems the custom he drove the car forward with the drivers door open. When he got out, he shut the door. As he'd moved the car it auto-locks all the doors, the drivers door locked the second it was shut. So I spent an hour waiting for a mate to bring me the spare keys from home while the car sat there ticking over... They cleaned it bloody well after that...

[Pete-M]

 

Spent today polishing the loveliness that is my poor old Jag.

 

 

Didn't come up too badly. Unfortunately, I spotted this...

 

 

Which can only have happened during it's stay with the Welders. Where this was inflicted upon it by Tom the painter who used to have the unit they're in now. Tom did replace the rear bumper though, so can't complain much. It would have been nice if he'd attached it properly, but can't win 'em all. Not the end of the world to put things right.

 

 

Still, I suppose it just means I'll keep the thing and restore it properly back to how it should be. It'll get there. Just take a bit longer than planned...

 

Oh, spent an hour at the valeters today. Valeter jumped in the Jag to move it forward, as seems the custom he drove the car forward with the drivers door open. When he got out, he shut the door. As he'd moved the car it auto-locks all the doors, the drivers door locked the second it was shut. So I spent an hour waiting for a mate to bring me the spare keys from home while the car sat there ticking over... They cleaned it bloody well after that...

[Guest]

The Jag looks GR9 mate, despite the neglect beforehand and that you seem to have captured its loveliness on a King Edward.

 

You know where I is, etc, Ariston.

[Guest]

The Jag looks GR9 mate, despite the neglect beforehand and that you seem to have captured its loveliness on a King Edward.

 

You know where I is, etc, Ariston.

[rml2345]

Jag does look lovely Pete. I always hate finding a new scuff or scratch on a car...

So I felt a right tit when I drove me Volvo into a wall this morning and knocked off a fog lamp. It's been pelting all day so I haven't been able to refit it either.

Bumhats.

[rml2345]

Jag does look lovely Pete. I always hate finding a new scuff or scratch on a car...

So I felt a right tit when I drove me Volvo into a wall this morning and knocked off a fog lamp. It's been pelting all day so I haven't been able to refit it either.

Bumhats.

[cobblers]

A framed the ka back from leeds this morning. Battery was flat as a can of lidl shandy, so I dug out some jump leads and did a bit of this:

 

Not a lot was happening, even after running the van for about 15 minutes. Turned out it was only charging at about 1.5 amps. I suspected a dodgy connection, but it turned out that I've just got the most shit jumpleads I've ever seen:

 

 

There was literally about 15 strands of wire in there - they're like HT leads!

 

I whipped the battery off and stuck it on charge for a bit, then got an old screwdriver and had a go at a bit of acupuncture:

 

 

Tbh I think that'll be the worst of it with any luck.

 

Good to see that the tin of underseal and paintbrush I gave my sister last year went to good use - I welded this patch in when it was pissing with rain so everything was wet through, gave her the underseal and told her to slap a load on as soon as the weather cleared up. She's obviously just completely ignored me and slung the stuff in a river, but it should still hopefully be solid enough. Perhaps I was expecting a lot from someone who'll drive a car around firing on two cylinders for months because £30 for a coilpack would eat too far into her £30k+ salary

[cobblers]

A framed the ka back from leeds this morning. Battery was flat as a can of lidl shandy, so I dug out some jump leads and did a bit of this:

 

Not a lot was happening, even after running the van for about 15 minutes. Turned out it was only charging at about 1.5 amps. I suspected a dodgy connection, but it turned out that I've just got the most shit jumpleads I've ever seen:

 

 

There was literally about 15 strands of wire in there - they're like HT leads!

 

I whipped the battery off and stuck it on charge for a bit, then got an old screwdriver and had a go at a bit of acupuncture:

 

 

Tbh I think that'll be the worst of it with any luck.

 

Good to see that the tin of underseal and paintbrush I gave my sister last year went to good use - I welded this patch in when it was pissing with rain so everything was wet through, gave her the underseal and told her to slap a load on as soon as the weather cleared up. She's obviously just completely ignored me and slung the stuff in a river, but it should still hopefully be solid enough. Perhaps I was expecting a lot from someone who'll drive a car around firing on two cylinders for months because £30 for a coilpack would eat too far into her £30k+ salary

[Guest]

Cobs, no disrespect here but your friends and family seem a bit useless and shit. Although that could be my imagination from reading your posts.

[Guest]

Cobs, no disrespect here but your friends and family seem a bit useless and shit. Although that could be my imagination from reading your posts.

[cobblers]

No, you're right most of them are pretty useless.

[cobblers]

No, you're right most of them are pretty useless.

[dollywobbler]

Non-car people can be like that though. A while back I was at some motorway services and watched a Fiat Seicento drive past on only 3-cylinders. The fourth cylinder was making a nice, regular tapping sort of a noise. How can you not tell that something is seriously wrong?! Why would you try and drive such an obviously f*cked car down a motorway? With a child on board?!

[dollywobbler]

Non-car people can be like that though. A while back I was at some motorway services and watched a Fiat Seicento drive past on only 3-cylinders. The fourth cylinder was making a nice, regular tapping sort of a noise. How can you not tell that something is seriously wrong?! Why would you try and drive such an obviously f*cked car down a motorway? With a child on board?!

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

The same kind of person who will admonish you for exceeding 2,500 rpm (you will break the engine), or who throws their laptop around like it's a paperback book but never backs up their data.

 

I got caught in a downpour today, and it was the first time I've driven the car with the roof up. Cozy, certainly. But visibility is terrible and there are all sorts of rattles and clunks that aren't usually audible.

 

edit: it's also averaged 26.7mpg over the last tank.

[Conrad D. Conelrad]

The same kind of person who will admonish you for exceeding 2,500 rpm (you will break the engine), or who throws their laptop around like it's a paperback book but never backs up their data.

 

I got caught in a downpour today, and it was the first time I've driven the car with the roof up. Cozy, certainly. But visibility is terrible and there are all sorts of rattles and clunks that aren't usually audible.

 

edit: it's also averaged 26.7mpg over the last tank.

[vulgalour]

Maestro had its first proper commute run in my care. It's feeling better for having a bit of a trundle and coped admirably in traffic without overheating or being odd. Was particularly satisfying parking in a car park where the oldest machine there was 5 years old, though the usual Austin turning circle meant I couldn't physically get into the one free space and even if I had, I suspect I wouldn't have been able to open my doors.

 

What did surprise me wasn't the Maestro which soldiered on like you'd expect any modern to do, it was the standard of driving. I've not had to drive in Sheffield for about a year now, so commuting from Bolsover to the Steel City (non-Motorway, it's quicker weirdly and about the same on fuel) was a bit of an eye opener as to just how bad the driving you're exposed to can be. Best way to deal with it for me was to leave lots of space, use the brakes gently well in advance to warn folks behind me who were clearly distracted by everything outside the car but the car in front and just chill out. Not enjoying the fact it took me an hour each way, but by adjusting the working hours of my new, much more relaxed job, I can easily avoid the worst of the traffic. Also, it was just as well I didn't take the M1 home, I'd probably still be sat on it now as the radio was saying there had been a nasty accident up by Bradford with the traffic being affected all the way back to Sheffield.

 

Another bonus point for the Maestro. What a competent beast it is!

[vulgalour]

Maestro had its first proper commute run in my care. It's feeling better for having a bit of a trundle and coped admirably in traffic without overheating or being odd. Was particularly satisfying parking in a car park where the oldest machine there was 5 years old, though the usual Austin turning circle meant I couldn't physically get into the one free space and even if I had, I suspect I wouldn't have been able to open my doors.

 

What did surprise me wasn't the Maestro which soldiered on like you'd expect any modern to do, it was the standard of driving. I've not had to drive in Sheffield for about a year now, so commuting from Bolsover to the Steel City (non-Motorway, it's quicker weirdly and about the same on fuel) was a bit of an eye opener as to just how bad the driving you're exposed to can be. Best way to deal with it for me was to leave lots of space, use the brakes gently well in advance to warn folks behind me who were clearly distracted by everything outside the car but the car in front and just chill out. Not enjoying the fact it took me an hour each way, but by adjusting the working hours of my new, much more relaxed job, I can easily avoid the worst of the traffic. Also, it was just as well I didn't take the M1 home, I'd probably still be sat on it now as the radio was saying there had been a nasty accident up by Bradford with the traffic being affected all the way back to Sheffield.

 

Another bonus point for the Maestro. What a competent beast it is!

[Micrashed]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... n-car.html

 

Perfectly normal behaviour when I was a kid. I cant see what all the fuss is about.

[Micrashed]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... n-car.html

 

Perfectly normal behaviour when I was a kid. I cant see what all the fuss is about.

[chaseracer]

Yup. Start of the slippery slope. I'm staring at my driveway of vehicles thinking 'how did this happen?!"

Ditto

It is most impressive, Campbell, how you fit them all onto one driveway...

[chaseracer]

Yup. Start of the slippery slope. I'm staring at my driveway of vehicles thinking 'how did this happen?!"

Ditto

It is most impressive, Campbell, how you fit them all onto one driveway...