The new news 24 thread

[SiC]

22 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I've been thinking about selling my Corsa for the past few weeks but I'm rather torn about it.

It's been in my possession for the past ten years and in that time I have replaced just about every nut and bolt. It's been a brilliant little four wheeled friend in that time. There was a bit of a hiccup in 2016/17 when the engine developed a knock from the small end of piston number 3 but there followed an rather epic and defiant engine replacement. This was very successful and the car has been running and driving great ever since.

However it is now ostensibly a car I take only to shows and having recently become very disillusioned with the car scene, I won't be returning to any. As such I now rarely drive it, favouring my 172 or Audi as they provide a broad spectrum of driving experiences.

On one hand I'm quite attached to it and worry that I'd immediately regret selling it but on the other hand I was in the same position with my Astra Coupe which I owned for 13 years and never missed it when I moved it on. I think this was down to buying a worthy replacement for it.

Unsure how to proceed.

 

The Corsa B is still in the cheap banger territory and haven't quite reached the state in the market that the Nova (Corsa A) now is in. You just know that if you sold that right now, it'll get ragged to death by a kid. A year or two in those hands will render it as scrap. 

[Split_Pin]

16 minutes ago, 320touring said:

For what it's worth, I think it's an Ace car - looks just right on white 5 spokes and harks back to my yooof. I know it's well kept too, and gets whatever it needs.

How about you try and use it one day a week even just during summer months? Gets you some use out it without hammering it?

It's the reason I use the GSA as a daily - more fun and unusual (your Corsa will be a rare sight too!) But also great fun to drive..

 

Sage advice, I definitely enjoy a car more as long as I am using it, when it falls out of service, that's when I start to wonder why I have it

Re what you say , SiC,  it's probably the only car I have ever owned where I actually do have a care what may happen to it if I were to sell it. Likely it would end up with a 'ridtap' for 6 months and then burst for parts...

[beko1987]

I've always been torn with corsas. On the one hand their utter shit, devoid of any emotion or character (the corsa c anyway) 

But on the other hand I drove one for 6 months as it was cheaper on fuel than my puma, and it was alright, winding it up to speed on the back roads then keeping it there... 

Can't say I'll never have one, but it wouldn't be my first choice

[Skizzer]

7 hours ago, wuvvum said:

Today [technically yesterday now] started off on a bit of a low note as I took the Rover of Doom on its final drive to the rainbow bridge.  Eight years I've had that car, and it's been bloody good to me for most of them, but it really was too far gone to be worth doing.  Cartakeback gave me 100 quid for it and I paid 350 when I bought it so I think I've had my money's worth...

I’m going to hold a minute’s silence for the Rover of Doom.  God rest its overboosted soul.

[brownnova]

2 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

That is also how my Mini should look - Cinnabar red with the black bumper and grille.

Lovely!

So we have the 2CV, the Yugo and the Mini for the recreation... just need to find the Panda, Lada and Skoda now...

[BorniteIdentity]

6 minutes ago, brownnova said:

So we have the 2CV, the Yugo and the Mini for the recreation... just need to find the Panda, Lada and Skoda now...

I dare say you’re in the right place... ?

[loserone]

Sad times to hear of the demise of the rover of doom.

 

I'm slightly with Beko on the Corsa; you'll enjoy it more if you drive it, but I imagine that low it's harsh as well as uninspiring in the bends, especially in comparison to the Clio.  So your frustration may continue.

The problem is that you have bought better cars; either you need to move them on or the Corsa will continue to be a weight on you.

 

I think it's a similar space I was in with my 323f GTi.  Fast, practical, great.  But the lack of engagement in corners meant I used the scruffy MX5 instead for every journey, and it became unloved

[Spottedlaurel]

Banger World Final achieved. Mild disappointment with the sound of a lot of the cars, due the widespread fitment of the Ford 2.3 '4', just not right in some big old American barge.

It's interesting to see what they move onto as the years go by, I was surprised to see a couple of Jaguar XFs:

Cheapest I could find on AutoTrader were non-runners at around £2500.

[SiC]

11 minutes ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Banger World Final achieved. Mild disappointment with the sound of a lot of the cars, due the widespread fitment of the Ford 2.3 '4', just not right in some big old American barge.

It's interesting to see what they move onto as the years go by, I was surprised to see a couple of Jaguar XFs:

Cheapest I could find on AutoTrader were non-runners at around £2500.

Don't many banger racers have connections to the scrap metal business? They can always pick up to use the shell after all the useful bits are stripped when a CoD has been issued. 

Or spend £2.5k and know you can get a lot more back from selling most of the parts.

[Spottedlaurel]

1 minute ago, SiC said:

Don't many banger racers have connections to the scrap metal business? They can always pick up to use the shell after all the useful bits are stripped when a CoD has been issued. 

Or spend £2.5k and know you can get a lot more back from selling most of the parts.

I'd imagine it's pretty much the former, I doubt they're coming into the yard at £2500. Maybe high mileage/tatty trade-ins that no one wants to sell on, or insurance write-offs? As you say, sell bits off them and it's probably cost neutral.

[Mally]

8 hours ago, SiC said:

Don't many banger racers have connections to the scrap metal business? They can always pick up to use the shell after all the useful bits are stripped when a CoD has been issued. 

Or spend £2.5k and know you can get a lot more back from selling most of the parts.

I'm not sure you get this racing thing.

When you are in the Banger World Final, you want the best car, best paint, best engine you can get, and you are prepared to pay whatever.

I know for a fact that Dom Davies' charges are very reasonable, but you might think them excessive for a bit of paint and some letters, that might last less than 5 mins in a race.

 

[Split_Pin]

38 minutes ago, loserone said:

Sad times to hear of the demise of the rover of doom.

 

I'm slightly with Beko on the Corsa; you'll enjoy it more if you drive it, but I imagine that low it's harsh as well as uninspiring in the bends, especially in comparison to the Clio.  So your frustration may continue.

The problem is that you have bought better cars; either you need to move them on or the Corsa will continue to be a weight on you.

 

I think it's a similar space I was in with my 323f GTi.  Fast, practical, great.  But the lack of engagement in corners meant I used the scruffy MX5 instead for every journey, and it became unloved

Well put and it certainly rings true.

The Corsa is actually really good on the bends as a couple of years ago I managed to get some brand new FK shortened dampers for about £20 or something for the back and PIs for the front. I also fitted new Nankang tyres to the front and Toyos to the back before having the tracking set up accordingly. If a constant speed were to be maintained, it would leave the Clio standing in the bends! The Clio is also harsher as it has coilovers however it has that raw, raucous character and the tremendous acceleration.

So still doesn't make my decision any easier! The Corsa isn't eating a piece in my garage so it can stay there till spring. Getting out in it one day a week to start off will be the plan I think.

[bramz7]

Had quite a nice time in Mulhouse and Basel in the last couple of days. Spotted loads of tat too, happily the French still seem happy driving around in various old 'voitures'.

I spotted an early SV 605 this morning and it's made my lust return. Anyone want a 305 for a 605? Nah thought not. 

 

 

[Fumbler]

1 hour ago, brownnova said:

So we have the 2CV, the Yugo and the Mini for the recreation... just need to find the Panda, Lada and Skoda now...

If you rustle up £5650 you can get a Riva with delivery miles on it. Hell, I'll chip in too!

[mrbenn]

2 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

I've been thinking about selling my Corsa for the past few weeks but I'm rather torn about it.

Sometimes we just reach the end of the road with a car in a mental sense. You sold the Astra after 13 years and I seem to remember you had a Vectra for a long time? So you know can do it, and you'll be alright.

I'd be asking myself what I planned to do with the garage space. Is there something else you fancy? Do you need the room? Perhaps sorn it for a bit so you can't drive it, then see if you find yourself wanting to.

Have to say a Corsa B is one of those cars that gets me excitedly pointing and taking pictures when I see one. I had an R plate 12v as a courtesy car for 3 months 20 years ago and I still remember it very fondly.

[Split_Pin]

Whatever happens, I'm currently at my 4 car limit and if one were to go I would certainly continue to maximise it!

[tommotech]

Definition of failure and success in one shot;

Having four major jobs to do on eldests 207 I decided powertrain removal was the easiest option, Wheel Bearing, Clutch, Head Gasket and Timing Belt to do. Just tightening on the final sequence and the b*satard snapped.  

Luckily I have spare bolts, but I don't have another Head Gasket.

[richardmorris]

Off to France. 

[HMC]

Bon Voyage!

[vulgalour]

It rained a lot last night and, happily, the bits I sealed up yesterday on the BX have stayed sealed up.  That means the water - much less than expected this time - is getting in elsewhere.  Tip off from Blackpopracing over on the blue forum that it might be the membranes behind the door cards, a fault of Mondeos, and having now removed all the door cards it looks like that's the problem.  There's various points along the bottom of all the membranes where the glue has failed and water is just sitting there.  This is an easy fix, at least, the hardest thing is going to be getting the lid off the tin of contact adhesive.

[egg]

I'm in the keep the Corsa camp. I like seeing updates on it for one thing

[dean36014]

 In surprise I received a phonecall this morning. So before he changed his mind again I went and grabbed the zx! It drives just like a new car and the autobox is so smooth.

[tommotech]

1 hour ago, vulgalour said:

It rained a lot last night and, happily, the bits I sealed up yesterday on the BX have stayed sealed up.  That means the water - much less than expected this time - is getting in elsewhere.  Tip off from Blackpopracing over on the blue forum that it might be the membranes behind the door cards, a fault of Mondeos, and having now removed all the door cards it looks like that's the problem.  There's various points along the bottom of all the membranes where the glue has failed and water is just sitting there.  This is an easy fix, at least, the hardest thing is going to be getting the lid off the tin of contact adhesive.

Good tip and yes, I’ve also had problems with those plastic membrane inner covers. They’re called water shedders on some parts guides. 

I use silicon gasket to put them on, easier than contact adhesive and maybe more durable. 

[Skizzer]

1 hour ago, dean36014 said:

 In surprise I received a phonecall this morning.

So before he changed his mind again I went and grabbed the zx! It drives just like a new car and the autobox is so smooth.

Excellent result.  MOAB is your washpot after all.

[Spurious]

 In surprise I received a phonecall this morning. So before he changed his mind again I went and grabbed the zx! It drives just like a new car and the autobox is so smooth.

That looks lovely, spotted it on bookface. Great colour.

Is it the TD?

[wuvvum]

Don't think you could get an auto 'box with the TD on the ZX.

[dean36014]

It's a n/a diesel, so stately performance.

Driveway looks good now though, colour matching cars!

[Spurious]

Anyone like free Citroen mags?

[Mally]

4 hours ago, tommotech said:

Definition of failure and success in one shot;

Having four major jobs to do on eldests 207 I decided powertrain removal was the easiest option, Wheel Bearing, Clutch, Head Gasket and Timing Belt to do. Just tightening on the final sequence and the b*satard snapped.  

Luckily I have spare bolts, but I don't have another Head Gasket.

You did well to get it out.

I'd call it total success.

[richardmorris]

5 hours ago, HMC said:

Bon Voyage!

I may even come back.