The new news 24 thread

[HarmonicCheeseburger]

Finally looking like we may have the funds coming together by end of this month to get out looking for a sub £3k automatic car that can handle 2kids (Isofix+about Picasso sized).

So much has changed since I was last posting regularly on here.  

Fresh start?

[ruffgeezer]

Booked the Laguna in for it's Mot on Thursday.

It still needs the front wheels rebalanced, the tpms reprogramming and a loose heat shield sorting.

Other than that and a small service, it'll be ready to go up for sale. 

[beko1987]

31 minutes ago, ruffgeezer said:

Booked the Laguna in for it's Mot on Thursday.

It still needs the front wheels rebalanced, the tpms reprogramming and a loose heat shield sorting.

Other than that and a small service, it'll be ready to go up for sale. 

Do miss my old identical one! If the Xsara wasn't trustworthy enough to be good over winter now I'd be pondering a swap 🤣 Probably a bit spenner on pez for my driving though, although is it the same 6 speed box we had in the silver one? 

[RayMK]

This morning my son moved his motorcycle and other bits and pieces that were blocking my Reliant in the garage, moved his car leaving a clear driveway and said 'no excuses now.'   I therefore somewhat reluctantly ('cos old and mojo dormant) threaded myself into the Reliant after connecting its battery, turned the key and it started remarkably easily.  The new fuel pump diaphragm (ethanol compatible) that I fitted in June 2022 has made quite a difference to the speed of priming the system after long periods of inactivity.  The last garage start was in February this year but I did not drive it on that occasion.  With all appropriate checks made and tyre pressures topped up I drove to the closest end of our cul-de-sac and back a couple of times (i.e. about 500 metres total), rechecked under the bonnet for leaks - all was well - then drove around the estate - probably about a mile.  By this time I was sweating profusely because it is so warm today and the Reliant, even with its two sliding windows fully open, soon gets even warmer inside as the engine sits mostly in the cabin under a cowling.  That is enough for the moment.  I'll add a photo or two in another post later when I find my camera. No smartphone here! 

[dozeydustman]

Spent most of the day trying to sort a few odd jobs on my car while stepdaughter's boyfriend gave the new Saab a mini valet. The upholstery was cleaned with our Bissell spot cleaner and the water which came out was surprisingly light coloured compared to when I did the Mini last summer (the water which came out of that was black). He's very proud of his wheels and can't wait for his insurance to start next weekend (it saved him £300 on the annual premium).

My car has its niggles. The headlamps were last polished with what appears to be granite. Autosol didn't do much so I will need to get some wet & dry starting at 400 grit and all the way up to 5000. The improvement it made when I did the Kia was night and day, and as the Citroen also needs its cataracts removing buying wet & dry is cheaper than 2 kits.

I wanted also to reposition the wiper arms, 1 the driver's one bashes the top of the scuttle, and 2 there is the tiniest TRIANGLE OF DOOM which excels in the dribble of disappointment. Both wiper arms seized on so I need to get a little puller for them. Hoovered my car out and gave it a thorough* wash.

I also need to find a broken wire somewhere in the loom to make the air con work again.

[SiC]

26 minutes ago, dozeydustman said:

Both wiper arms seized on so I need to get a little puller for them

This is the best puller I've ever bought:

BGS 7794 | Windscreen Wiper Arm Puller | for Honda, Opel, VW https://amzn.eu/d/fWCIkKF

While it's expensive, the other you can get I've found either bend/snap or don't grip when applying force. That one hasn't failed to remove an arm. When it does go, it does let go with some force though!

[ruffgeezer]

6 hours ago, beko1987 said:

Do miss my old identical one! If the Xsara wasn't trustworthy enough to be good over winter now I'd be pondering a swap 🤣 Probably a bit spenner on pez for my driving though, although is it the same 6 speed box we had in the silver one? 

Nope, this one is the 2.0T automatic! 

[Dyslexic Viking]

In Norway, cars older than 1960 are exempt from MOT. The picture below are of a 1950s Opel that has come for sale here and it is registered and in use.

[RayMK]

To follow up my post of earlier today,  here are the photos from the first extraction from my garage since February this year and a you-tube clip which my son made this evening after returning from work at 6pm.  

 

 

[Split_Pin]

11 hours ago, RayMK said:

To follow up my post of earlier today,  here are the photos from the first extraction from my garage since February this year and a you-tube clip which my son made this evening after returning from work at 6pm.  

 

 

Tremendous, what a lovely example!

[RayMK]

3 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Tremendous, what a lovely example!

Thanks.  It looks tidy from a few paces.  Everything works except for the fuel sender but there are numerous jobs which could be done to improve it e.g. repair a tear in the front passenger seat, replace some sketchy looking wiring, buy some new cross plies, maybe even give the body a thorough rub down to attend to typically crazed 62 years old fibreglass and a respray in an original Reliant colour.  I would hesitate to reinstate the colour this one had from new - a sort of drab mid grey.  I'd go for either the pale blue or maroon options.  When I bought it in 1992 as an intact but barely running example which had been off the road for at least 10 years after nearly 100k miles of service with the original owner, it needed extensive refurbishment including a new marine ply floor (a standard feature, not a bodge!), £900 of engine reconditioning (rebore etc) and a new carb of the correct type.  The chassis,  fibre glass bodywork/wooden frame and engine are in very good condition. It took me until 2005 to get it roadworthy but it has not given significant problems since. From South Northants, I have driven it to Lincolnshire and back, North of Birmingham a couple of times and to somewhere South of Birmingham twice for Reliant Rallies and more locally in subsequent years. Performance?  17.5bhp requires careful handling on modern roads. It will happily cruise at any speed in the 40-55mph range and reach just over 60mph flat out. Mechanical sympathy has prevented me from exceeding 55mph.  >45mpg is typical. Roadholding requires one to concentrate.  The unassisted hydraulic drum brakes are adequate. The handbrake will easily lock the rear wheels.   I'm not ageing as well as the car, making it very difficult to get in and out of it particularly in my garage. I may decide to sell it soon.  

[wesacosa]

Lovely car.  I would love to tick a Reliant off the list but for me it would have to be a Mk1 Robin or Kitten , both of which are getting rather pricey now

 

[Rocket88]

1 hour ago, RayMK said:

Thanks.  It looks tidy from a few paces.  Everything works except for the fuel sender but there are numerous jobs which could be done to improve it e.g. repair a tear in the front passenger seat, replace some sketchy looking wiring, buy some new cross plies, maybe even give the body a thorough rub down to attend to typically crazed 62 years old fibreglass and a respray in an original Reliant colour.  I would hesitate to reinstate the colour this one had from new - a sort of drab mid grey.  I'd go for either the pale blue or maroon options.  When I bought it in 1992 as an intact but barely running example which had been off the road for at least 10 years after nearly 100k miles of service with the original owner, it needed extensive refurbishment including a new marine ply floor (a standard feature, not a bodge!), £900 of engine reconditioning (rebore etc) and a new carb of the correct type.  The chassis,  fibre glass bodywork/wooden frame and engine are in very good condition. It took me until 2005 to get it roadworthy but it has not given significant problems since. From South Northants, I have driven it to Lincolnshire and back, North of Birmingham a couple of times and to somewhere South of Birmingham twice for Reliant Rallies and more locally in subsequent years. Performance?  17.5bhp requires careful handling on modern roads. It will happily cruise at any speed in the 40-55mph range and reach just over 60mph flat out. Mechanical sympathy has prevented me from exceeding 55mph.  >45mpg is typical. Roadholding requires one to concentrate.  The unassisted hydraulic drum brakes are adequate. The handbrake will easily lock the rear wheels.   I'm not ageing as well as the car, making it very difficult to get in and out of it particularly in my garage. I may decide to sell it soon.  

Why cross plies?

[RayMK]

50 minutes ago, Rocket88 said:

Why cross plies?

Cross plies were the original fitment and suit the characteristics of the car.  Radials of equivalent size have been tried by some owners but differences in aspect ratio and width between sidewalls can cause fouling with the bodywork, as was the case with mine when I bought it in 1992.  

[barefoot]

I've just got another year's ticket on the old Scirocco. I successfully ran this for a decade on an actual shoestring,  but then the decision had to be made: move it on or spend some real money. I can confirm that the shabby little fucker is bleeding me dry, but by God, it's fun to drive when it's on form.

[Rust Collector]

We’ve just got back from the 20 week scan, and we’ve found out that we are expecting a girl who looks to be healthy and normal.

I had tried not to get my hopes up, but seeing as we have a son already I really wanted to have a daughter as our second child. I’m over the moon at the news 😁

[High Jetter]

6 hours ago, barefoot said:

I've just got another year's ticket on the old Scirocco. I successfully ran this for a decade on an actual shoestring,  but then the decision had to be made: move it on or spend some real money. I can confirm that the shabby little fucker is bleeding me dry, but by God, it's fun to drive when it's on form.

Is that a Mk 1? Saw one recently on the road, looks way better than any Golf

[High Jetter]

4 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

We’ve just got back from the 20 week scan, and we’ve found out that we are expecting a girl who looks to be healthy and normal.

I had tried not to get my hopes up, but seeing as we have a son already I really wanted to have a daughter as our second child. I’m over the moon at the news 😁

Fantastic! Hope all goes smoothly until OMG IT'S CRYING

[barefoot]

10 hours ago, High Jetter said:

Is that a Mk 1? Saw one recently on the road, looks way better than any Golf

No, it's a type 53b - a Mk2, and for some reason, the only pic I can find at the mo...

...is this one with the wrong wheels and other pineappling going on.

[mercedade]

 

43 minutes ago, barefoot said:

No, it's a type 53b - a Mk2, and for some reason, the only pic I can find at the mo...

...is this one with the wrong wheels and other pineappling going on.

Nice DeLorean m8

[richardmorris]

[greengartside]

Good news from greengartside towers!

I HAZ WINTA BEATA.

I went up to the local car auctions yesterday as I had the week off and had nothing to do.
 

*Pic and word heavy*
 

I had in the back of my mind that I’d like to buy something to knock around in, although not for this winter as things are a bit shitty with a divorce underway and living back at the parents for a while until I save some serious cash up. There was no harm in me looking for something as I had the cash and a budget.

I had read the auction listings online and nothing really leapt out at me. However, this place does shove a few last minute/‘ CBA to photograph’ cars in the running order so you really have to go there to view everything.

Once I got there, I had a cold drink and wandered round to see what was there. Nothing really caught my eye until I got to the end of one of the rows.

And there it was….

Yes, a 2005 Fiesta 1.25 Finesse, a.k.a bASe. Keep-fit windows but central locking and a CD player.

I had a copy of the catalogue and it was pretty good reading on the listing. 99k with a short MOT. A quick check on the Vehicle Smart app revealed that it’s last MOT advisories were for tyres. There are 4 brand new tyres now present. Even a towbar too! I don’t think that’s had much use though. It’s never failed on anything too drastic so I thought it might be worth a shot.

I sat in the auction room and listened to the bids come in for the preceding cars, it made for uncomfortable listening. A lot of them were going for waaay over the book price. An un-MOT’d Fiesta Mk7 made £2,100. Sure it may be okay, but that’s a gamble and a half if it all goes tits up. I spent my time going between the auction room and back to the Fiesta to look at it more closely. The bonnet wouldn’t open (which was probably a good thing as you’ll read later) and there was no service history and one key - so defo cambelt roulette on this. I had the key in hand so I started it. It fired up right away to reveal 3/4 of a tank of fuel and a flashing airbag light. All gears went in fine, clutch good, brakes good. No nasty noises from the steering either. Bodywork okay, the bonnet is buggered with lacquer peel but very very straight. Number plates have a Crewe postcode on them which is a long way away from Norfolk.

Anyway, I had a budget and made sure I stuck to it. The time eventually comes and it starts at £500. I stick my hand up. Someone else bids £550 and I go for £600 expecting it to go on quite a bit.

It doesn’t.

Bang goes the gavel and I am now the owner of this fine machine. An instant wave of excitement and pure fucking fear rushes through me. What the hell just happened?! I had no intention of getting it and I had no plan of getting it home. It cost £600 plus £210 fees, so £810 in total for a running, MOT’d car. Not too bad.

I paid for the car at the service desk where I was handed the V5 and a couple of old MOT’s along with the current one which was done in Cheltenham. The previous seller lived near Swindon so I have no idea how it ended up here. Checking previous MOT’s it seems to have travelled from its first home in Leeds to Crewe, then rural Gloucestershire, Cheltenham and then Swindon for a few months.

So after getting home, I taxed it and put temporary insurance in place for a day which was a reasonable £25. Better than being caught by the plod. It just so happens that their main HQ is literally around the corner from the auction house - it has been known for a couple of patrol cars to be sat at the bottom of the road on auction nights pulling people over who’ve taken a chance!

I then sorted bus times out which meant an early start. On my week off. Disgraceful.

Anyway, collection underway. First off, walking 50 yards to the bus stop.

Absolutely beautiful at 7am, I love that I lived here growing up.

On the bus. I’m the only passenger!

All going well until we met an oil tanker delivering to a house. No room for the bus to get through so we were forced to wait. Driver is also taking a photo and having a cheeky puff.

Anyway, we got past that and then picked up school kids on the way as it was primarily a school route I was on. Jesus Christ I was one of them once, it’s amazing to see how young people’s attitudes have changed. Not necessarily for the better. Makes you think.

Into Norwich for the next bus which I missed by a matter of seconds. If we hadn’t been held up by that tanker I would have made it. Never mind, another bus arrives and I hop on the short journey to Wymondham.

Wymondham appears and I’m off the bus. A short-walk up to the auction house and I was back at the desk to pick up the key. I then found the Fiesta and sure enough, it fired up straight away. A quick check of the tyres and I was off.

I’d love to be able to say it FTP’d spectacularly or a wheel fell off and destroyed a milk float and a small dog - but it didn’t.

It drove superbly. Not a single issue, temp gauge rock steady at half, no lights on the dash. Yes, the airbag light had magically healed itself and stayed off for all the journey.

A quick stop off at the shops. This thing drives absolutely fucking excellent. Not a ball of fire but who gives a shit?

Home.

And now it’s gone to sleep for a few months. I will get it MOT’d in December and I have every confidence it will go through with no problems. The bonnet did release, but now it won’t close. The cable is good, it’s the latch that’s the problem so I will get another one ordered. I’ll also get a set of original Finesse wheeltrims to smarten it up.

Verdict? Lucky. Very lucky. Still some good cars out there and this is one of them!

 

 

[stuboy]

5 hrs effing around with the mighty moped front brake, wasn't getting fluid down to bleed nipple,  banjo joints at both end crystallised up, and the brake reservoir also crudded up... bleed it more times than I counted and pulled brake lever pulled more times than an Essex burd dancing around the white handbag.... still getting bubbles up and no lever resistance... arrrrrrrggghj

[DVee8]

Things you don't see every day.

A segway safari 

[HillmanImp]

"Hi, I'm looking for a new dress to wear on the telly" 

"Sure, what kind of thing are you looking for?" 

"Hmm, something that looks like the trim out of a 1990s mid range family car please" 

"I got you fam" 

[louiepj]

Good news from greengartside towers!
I HAZ WINTA BEATA.
I went up to the local car auctions yesterday as I had the week off and had nothing to do.
 
*Pic and word heavy*
 
I had in the back of my mind that I’d like to buy something to knock around in, although not for this winter as things are a bit shitty with a divorce underway and living back at the parents for a while until I save some serious cash up. There was no harm in me looking for something as I had the cash and a budget.
I had read the auction listings online and nothing really leapt out at me. However, this place does shove a few last minute/‘ CBA to photograph’ cars in the running order so you really have to go there to view everything.
Once I got there, I had a cold drink and wandered round to see what was there. Nothing really caught my eye until I got to the end of one of the rows.
And there it was….

Yes, a 2005 Fiesta 1.25 Finesse, a.k.a bASe. Keep-fit windows but central locking and a CD player.
I had a copy of the catalogue and it was pretty good reading on the listing. 99k with a short MOT. A quick check on the Vehicle Smart app revealed that it’s last MOT advisories were for tyres. There are 4 brand new tyres now present. Even a towbar too! I don’t think that’s had much use though. It’s never failed on anything too drastic so I thought it might be worth a shot.
I sat in the auction room and listened to the bids come in for the preceding cars, it made for uncomfortable listening. A lot of them were going for waaay over the book price. An un-MOT’d Fiesta Mk7 made £2,100. Sure it may be okay, but that’s a gamble and a half if it all goes tits up. I spent my time going between the auction room and back to the Fiesta to look at it more closely. The bonnet wouldn’t open (which was probably a good thing as you’ll read later) and there was no service history and one key - so defo cambelt roulette on this. I had the key in hand so I started it. It fired up right away to reveal 3/4 of a tank of fuel and a flashing airbag light. All gears went in fine, clutch good, brakes good. No nasty noises from the steering either. Bodywork okay, the bonnet is buggered with lacquer peel but very very straight. Number plates have a Crewe postcode on them which is a long way away from Norfolk.
Anyway, I had a budget and made sure I stuck to it. The time eventually comes and it starts at £500. I stick my hand up. Someone else bids £550 and I go for £600 expecting it to go on quite a bit.
It doesn’t.
Bang goes the gavel and I am now the owner of this fine machine. An instant wave of excitement and pure fucking fear rushes through me. What the hell just happened?! I had no intention of getting it and I had no plan of getting it home. It cost £600 plus £210 fees, so £810 in total for a running, MOT’d car. Not too bad.
I paid for the car at the service desk where I was handed the V5 and a couple of old MOT’s along with the current one which was done in Cheltenham. The previous seller lived near Swindon so I have no idea how it ended up here. Checking previous MOT’s it seems to have travelled from its first home in Leeds to Crewe, then rural Gloucestershire, Cheltenham and then Swindon for a few months.
So after getting home, I taxed it and put temporary insurance in place for a day which was a reasonable £25. Better than being caught by the plod. It just so happens that their main HQ is literally around the corner from the auction house - it has been known for a couple of patrol cars to be sat at the bottom of the road on auction nights pulling people over who’ve taken a chance!
I then sorted bus times out which meant an early start. On my week off. Disgraceful.
Anyway, collection underway. First off, walking 50 yards to the bus stop.

Absolutely beautiful at 7am, I love that I lived here growing up.
On the bus. I’m the only passenger!

All going well until we met an oil tanker delivering to a house. No room for the bus to get through so we were forced to wait. Driver is also taking a photo and having a cheeky puff.

Anyway, we got past that and then picked up school kids on the way as it was primarily a school route I was on. Jesus Christ I was one of them once, it’s amazing to see how young people’s attitudes have changed. Not necessarily for the better. Makes you think.
Into Norwich for the next bus which I missed by a matter of seconds. If we hadn’t been held up by that tanker I would have made it. Never mind, another bus arrives and I hop on the short journey to Wymondham.
Wymondham appears and I’m off the bus. A short-walk up to the auction house and I was back at the desk to pick up the key. I then found the Fiesta and sure enough, it fired up straight away. A quick check of the tyres and I was off.
I’d love to be able to say it FTP’d spectacularly or a wheel fell off and destroyed a milk float and a small dog - but it didn’t.
It drove superbly. Not a single issue, temp gauge rock steady at half, no lights on the dash. Yes, the airbag light had magically healed itself and stayed off for all the journey.

A quick stop off at the shops. This thing drives absolutely fucking excellent. Not a ball of fire but who gives a shit?
Home.

And now it’s gone to sleep for a few months. I will get it MOT’d in December and I have every confidence it will go through with no problems. The bonnet did release, but now it won’t close. The cable is good, it’s the latch that’s the problem so I will get another one ordered. I’ll also get a set of original Finesse wheeltrims to smarten it up.

Verdict? Lucky. Very lucky. Still some good cars out there and this is one of them!
 
 

If its like my sons fiesta's with the plastic slam panel, they suffer with bonnet locks moving and need realigning and a tightening up of the bolts properly.

[Split_Pin]

Went up to Upullit today as I'm on annual leave and my wife only worked the morning so I had more time today.

I finally found a completely intact scuttle panel  for the 75, normally they're all smashed to fuck each end from folk checking the plenums for leaves. I also got all the studs off another ZT that was there as they usually ping into the void when trying to remove them. I also went back tonthe SLK they had and got the front pair of NVH bars as mine are rotten. I took the backs off as well but they were rusted through on the top side. Every torx bolt was bastarding tight and I was right on the limit of either my bit snapping or the bolt rounding. Hard won but £15 quid all in so happy with that.

[ruffgeezer]

That doesn't seem too bad,  lately I've been getting a right cunt-on with my local yard as even if I go and remove parts myself, they will still tot them up at ebay prices.  Twenty quid for two door checkstraps, a dimmer switch and a pair of horns.  I knew I should have taken something to cover off the pocket tax, but it's just not in my nature.

[greengartside]

1 hour ago, HillmanImp said:

"Hi, I'm looking for a new dress to wear on the telly" 

"Sure, what kind of thing are you looking for?" 

"Hmm, something that looks like the trim out of a 1990s mid range family car please" 

"I got you fam" 

I see you. Nissan Micra K11 dress.

[SiC]

47 minutes ago, ruffgeezer said:

That doesn't seem too bad,  lately I've been getting a right cunt-on with my local yard as even if I go and remove parts myself, they will still tot them up at ebay prices.  Twenty quid for two door checkstraps, a dimmer switch and a pair of horns.  I knew I should have taken something to cover off the pocket tax, but it's just not in my nature.

At my local yard I usually go into the office and ask how much before I pull something off.