Enough is enough

[Bren]

I was unable to bleed the passat's brakes due to the front calipers looking like lumps of coal. Nipples seized solid.

 

In fact I have made the brakes worse. I have had to book it into a garage.

 

I have had enough of wasting my time on preventative maintainence - lots of people just drive the things with no maintainence. I think I am going to start doing the same.

 

My time off work is too precious to be fannying about with old wrecks.

 

My next car will be something modern. I also think I will sell my tools - I am that pissed off with cars.

[Slartibartfast]

Liked for solidarity. It's a bastard irritating hobby at times and I'm not at all surprised when people look at their cars and go fuck this for a game of soldiers.

[eddyramrod]

More solidarity!  I understand only too well.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I was unable to bleed the passat's brakes due to the front calipers looking like lumps of coal. Nipples seized solid.

 

In fact I have made the brakes worse. I have had to book it into a garage.

 

I have had enough of wasting my time on preventative maintainence - lots of people just drive the things with no maintainence. I think I am going to start doing the same.

 

My time off work is too precious to be fannying about with old wrecks.

 

My next car will be something modern. I also think I will sell my tools - I am that pissed off with cars.

 

 

 

I'm with you to a point. Certainly, old VAG stuff is awful for being like the Titanic.

 

I've just bought an old 323i Auto Touring. The experts will say it needs - at 200k - a cooling system refresh (fuck that), new oil and filter in the box (fuck that) and bodyshop attention for the rusting back arch, tailgate that looks like it was once part of the Bismarck and an elephant man blister on the front wing - yeah...fuck that.  Bare minimum - PAS pump (swapped already), shagged rack (ditto), check the levels and tyres and drive it. It can either stand or fall, but at scrap money I'm not that bothered. Inconvenience maybe, financial loss - quite the opposite. 

 

Whilst that's being used, the 318i Touring is coming off the road for a much needed overhaul after 3.5 years. Bodywork needs doing (filler and rattle can), standard springs refitting, new rear dampers and Z arm bushes plus anything else I can find wrong with it. The carpets in the boot area are utterly ruined and the interior needs a seats-out mega clean. It's not worth a lot but it'll be up on axle stands, not needed, and I can take a few weeks to go right through it at my leisure. Hopefully then it'll be okay for another 2-3 years. Not bad for 400 quid in August 2014.

 

I had a similar   moment last year. But that was about 'saving' cars and I don't do that any more. Waste of time.

[Split_Pin]

100% the same here, stuff scrabbling around under cars. I have obviously done some kind of damage to my arm when torqueing flywheel bolts whilst standing at a weird angle, that was well over a month ago and I still cant lift even a cuppa without pain.

[cpjitservices]

I was unable to bleed the passat's brakes due to the front calipers looking like lumps of coal. Nipples seized solid.

 

In fact I have made the brakes worse. I have had to book it into a garage.

 

I have had enough of wasting my time on preventative maintainence - lots of people just drive the things with no maintainence. I think I am going to start doing the same.

 

My time off work is too precious to be fannying about with old wrecks.

 

My next car will be something modern. I also think I will sell my tools - I am that pissed off with cars.

I think we all get to this stage. I cant remember the last time I did anything to a car! its easier to take it to my mates garage, where I get parts at cost and free labour anyway! For the time I have free they may aswell do it.

[Cleon-Fonte]

What does it say about modern repmobiles when an SD1 can't break you but they can?

[sierraman]

I'll chuck my cock in a blender before I go for a new car though.

 

I've said this time and time again about chucking money at 15 year old cars, run them till they fall apart then start again, it's the only way to do it. Recently I said I'd scrap mine when the clutch goes, folks said I'd be chucking a good car away for a 'minor' problem, I'd stand by that, if it means there will be 12 of them left on the roads in 20 years time, so what?

 

I've no objection to spending a hundred or so every now and again, but when its all turning to shit, I'd sack it off and start again.

 

Only in the last 24 hours I've been offered a mk2 Focus, full dealer history for £500, while cars are that cheap why mess about hoying gearboxes out of cars to try and make it last forever? Yes its wasteful but that's just how it goes today.

 

In terms of your immediate problem, I'd say go back in the house and have another look at it with a fresh pair of eyes, its remarkable how a bit of time away will allow you to come back and sort the problem out.

[Datsuncog]

Mmm. Hearing you. I've been roundly ignoring my fleet for a month or two now, after all the January blower fun.

 

Laguna TAZ needs a full service; I have all the bits required, but can't get it up the ramps to drain the oil due to stupid front air dam. Something so small shouldn't shouldn't thwart me, but it has. Also needs the coolant drained, flushed, and refilled to see if that cures the erratic heater temperatures. Then maybe I'll take a look at the split driver's seat, scabbing arches and alarmingly rampant lacquer peel.

 

Laguna KAZ needs to have the fuel filters replaced to see if that cures the non-starting issue. It's a race against time, as in a week or two there needs to be some scaffolding where it's been parked up since August. And then sundry other recommissioning jobs before an MOT attempt is made. I don't know why I'm bothering, as it looks like something that's been dragged off a riverbed after some joyriders finished with it, and no bugger will ever want it. But I somehow feel I'm not done with it yet, even after four years.

 

The Yaris needs its front end rebuilt, as my half-arsed repairs after I piled it into a verge in the snow a few years back are now coming undone. I also maybe possibly perhaps made rash promises to Mrs DC about giving it a mid-life refresh, possibly involving new front and rear bumpers, paint, comedy driving lights and alloy wheels. Just the kind of idle chat a stupid person would say while warm, dry and mellow in front of a roaring winter fire after a couple of Hobgoblins...

 

And then I look at next-door hopping into their shiny new C-Class on tick and think... hold the boat, I could be doing that. I *could* afford it... so why don't I?

 

Answers on a postcard, kids...

[sierraman]

I say all this but ive got a driveshaft boot swap and a gearbox mount lined up tomorrow, but were talking pennies here. Then in the summer I'm getting rid of the rusty arch. Better than sitting in the house watching the idiot box though.

[Cavcraft]

Shud ov bort an Vectra M8

[cpjitservices]

Mmm. Hearing you. I've been roundly ignoring my fleet for a month or two now, after all the January blower fun.

 

Laguna TAZ needs a full service; I have all the bits required, but can't get it up the ramps to drain the oil due to stupid front air dam. Something so small shouldn't shouldn't thwart me, but it has. Also needs the coolant drained, flushed, and refilled to see if that cures the erratic heater temperatures. Then maybe I'll take a look at the split driver's seat, scabbing arches and alarmingly rampant lacquer peel.

 

Laguna KAZ needs to have the fuel filters replaced to see if that cures the non-starting issue. It's a race against time, as in a week or two there needs to be some scaffolding where it's been parked up since August. And then sundry other recommissioning jobs before an MOT attempt is made. I don't know why I'm bothering, as it looks like something that's been dragged off a riverbed after some joyriders finished with it, and no bugger will ever want it. But I somehow feel I'm not done with it yet, even after four years.

 

The Yaris needs its front end rebuilt, as my half-arsed repairs after I piled it into a verge in the snow a few years back are now coming undone. I also maybe possibly perhaps made rash promises to Mrs DC about giving it a mid-life refresh, possibly involving new front and rear bumpers, paint, comedy driving lights and alloy wheels. Just the kind of idle chat a stupid person would say while warm, dry and mellow in front of a roaring winter fire after a couple of Hobgoblins...

 

And then I look at next-door hopping into their shiny new C-Class on tick and think... hold the boat, I could be doing that. I *could* afford it... so why don't I?

 

Answers on a postcard, kids...

Because in the end, on tick, is a long process. At least, you own your cars out right and owe nothing on them. They are yours! And they aren't depreciating

[PiperCub]

I'll chuck my cock in a blender before I go for a new car though.

 

I've said this time and time again about chucking money at 15 year old cars, run them till they fall apart then start again, it's the only way to do it. Recently I said I'd scrap mine when the clutch goes, folks said I'd be chucking a good car away for a 'minor' problem, I'd stand by that, if it means there will be 12 of them left on the roads in 20 years time, so what?

 

I've no objection to spending a hundred or so every now and again, but when its all turning to shit, I'd sack it off and start again.

 

Only in the last 24 hours I've been offered a mk2 Focus, full dealer history for £500, while cars are that cheap why mess about hoying gearboxes out of cars to try and make it last forever? Yes its wasteful but that's just how it goes today.

 

In terms of your immediate problem, I'd say go back in the house and have another look at it with a fresh pair of eyes, its remarkable how a bit of time away will allow you to come back and sort the problem out.

 

 

Similarly here - my keepers are one thing but they are all sorted and only need servicing in the main and that's no worries or expense. The hack is another matter, once it gets a serious and/or expensive problem, it's goodnight. I'm not after throwing good money after bad just for the sake of it and when you can buy another dirt cheap anyway.

 

The Rover has just started the first knockings of HGF, it's OK for now and I'll keep running it until it goes properly and if it were say an A-Series, I could fix it all in for under £50 but a K-Series proper HG fix is nearer £200 for the parts and other shite. I'm not spending that sort of money on something that's worth little more than that and I'm not even that keen on in the first place (plus was looking to change it in the next couple of months anyway).

 

I like a challenge and enjoy (mostly) working on cars etc but there are limits, both financial and hassle-wise. Life's too short to try and save everything. 

[Talbot]

Know the feeling.

 

Tinkering on a non-essential car, on a lovely summers day when everything goes well and you've no time constraints is enjoyable.

 

Trying to change a corroded brake pipe in the dark, cold, pissing rain, with everything rounding off / shearing off and you HAVE to get it back on the road to get to work tomorrow is about as enjoyable as being run over. I can absolutely see why many shiters run a modernz too, just so they never find themselves under that much pressure.

[Fat_Pirate]

I've been there and ended up leasing a new car... 33 months of repenting at leisure followed (I liked it for the first 3 months).  Be strong!  And I say that as someone who's spent 6 hours this week trying to remove a seized on Mini oil filter.

[RayMK]

Know the feeling.

 

Tinkering on a non-essential car, on a lovely summers day when everything goes well and you've no time constraints is enjoyable.

 

Trying to change a corroded brake pipe in the dark, cold, pissing rain, with everything rounding off / shearing off and you HAVE to get it back on the road to get to work tomorrow is about as enjoyable as being run over. I can absolutely see why many shiters run a modernz too, just so they never find themselves under that much pressure.

 

This is exactly why I run a modern - not on tick - for reliability and convenience - even though I'm retired. I keep two older cars and have use of a third to satisfy masochistic needs, mixed with considerable enjoyment.

[Datsuncog]

Because in the end, on tick, is a long process. At least, you own your cars out right and owe nothing on them. They are yours! And they aren't depreciating

 

I think I envy their ability to give no more thought to their car than their vacuum cleaner or tumble drier. It goes, it stops, if it shits itself it goes back under warranty, and after three years another one appears on their driveway. Mine aren't depreciating... but they are dissolving! And because they're mine, they're my problem.

 

I like cars. I really like cars. But I'm feeling that there's so much of my headspace devoted to trying to remember which heap needs what done to it and when, and second-guessing what's likely to break next, that I just want to shut that out for a while... and for £229 a month or whatever, is that a price worth paying? Normally, I'd say no - but I'm wavering. Having to sort the Yaris brakes in the pissing rain at 4pm on a freezing January night kinda broke something inside me.

 

As an aside, I carried a substantial credit card debt for over ten years (a very long hangover from a failed long-distance relationship) that I've just recently finished paying off - and so could easily afford something new now that I'm not making those monthly payments anymore, while still having a moderate amount left over... "owning my car outright" was indeed something very important to me a while ago, but now I'm seeing a single monthly payment as a way to farm out that nagging worry to some other bugger and allow me the time and headspace for other long-delayed activities.

 

I've agreed to do some spannering duties on a car belonging to a friend at some point this weekend - so will see if that helps get my mojo back. As others have commented, it's been a long winter for the AS community... seems a fair few of us are at a low ebb.

[cpjitservices]

I think I envy their ability to give no more thought to their car than their vacuum cleaner or tumble drier. It goes, it stops, if it shits itself it goes back under warranty, and after three years another one appears on their driveway.

 

I like cars. I really like cars. But I'm feeling that there's so much of my headspace devoted to trying to remember which heap needs what done to it and when, and second-guessing what's likely to break next, that I just want to shut that out for a while... and for £229 a month or whatever, is that a price worth paying? Normally, I'd say no - but I'm wavering. Having to sort the Yaris brakes in the pissing rain at 4pm on a freezing January night kinda broke something inside me.

 

As an aside, I carried an substantial credit card debt for over ten years (a very long hangover from a failed long-distance relationship) that I've just recently finished paying off - and so could easily afford something new now that I'm not making those monthly payments anymore, while still having a moderate amount left over... "owning my car outright" was indeed something very important to me a while ago, but now I'm seeing a single monthly payment as a way to farm out that nagging worry to some other bugger and allow me the time and headspace for other long-delayed activities.

 

I've agreed to do some spannering duties on a car belonging to a friend at some point this weekend - so will see if that helps get my mojo back. As others have commented, it's been a long winter for the AS community... seems a fair few of us are at a low ebb.

Its not a bad price, but once you factor in Insurance and Putting fuel in the bugger itll soon add up. Maybe it will need something too thats not covered under warranty, tyres and the likes which you'll have to spring for.

 

Lets hope Summer is a good one this year, and we all get back into the swing of things in regards to our own repairs.

 

Even fitting a new battery to the Jag was a pain in the arse job because.... cold.

[mrbenn]

I think the problem you've got here, Bren, is not enough cars. When one is pissing you off, you need another on standby so the first one can be soundly ignored for a while. Don't know about anyone else but I feel to have barely left the house for months with all this crap weather. No wonder we're feeling a bit beaten,

 

I seriously looked at getting a car on lease recently. Few quid down, few quid a month for something brand new with warranty, if something breaks it isn't my problem. But I like running an older car. I like tinkering and I enjoy not worrying about depreciation, door dings or looming bills. Financially, I'm so far ahead with my 15 year old Focus that it's almost laughable.

 

If you're not enjoying it then perhaps you need some different daily shite in your life?

[fordperv]

I have thrown my toys out of the pram and said the same thing before, but I'm still playing around with old shit

 

It does get bloody annoying when stuff fights you all the way

[Crispian_J_Hotson]

I'm currently enduring the longest brake rebuild eva on the 635... since May last year! Even after all that, I won't know if I've fixed it! I've threatened myself to sell it 6 times so far and how does it defend itself? By requiring more welding and 2 tyres! It's an absolutely thankless piece of shit that needs bridging to put it out of it's misery and I fucking hate it/ don't hate it. This site actually inspired me to go screw some bits to it for 1 day recently, the dim light lit up brightly for all of 8 hours... but it has faded again. 

It's not just with cars I'm getting this, I used to be right handy and building all sorts of shit around the house... I just can't be arsed right now although it took me a week to put an extractor hood up (with external venting) and that's a record at this time. I would have thrown that up one night after work before. 

 

BUT... The summer is coming and that 635 needs smoking!

 

I have learn't one thing though, be selective when buying second hand parts, some things are better off being new or you'll end up in even more shit trying to get old crap to fit and work properly!

[anonymous user]

And there was me hoping for Donna and Babs singing a disco classic. You do have my sympathy, but having done the new car every three years thing it can get boring, something that never happens when you run an old Land Rover.

[Bren]

What has gripped my shit is that two seized items now mean a trip to the garage. The car is 14 years old, I like fresh brake fluid every two years - even on a snotter.

 

The garage I use are very cheap and I will end up with two shiny calipers.

 

The problem is me - not the car. I am to fussy with maintainence.Which sometimes defeats the point of bangering - some things you just have to live with.

 

When I was under my audi yesterday I was pleasantly surprised how clean and rust free everything was. Not like a modern audi which will be minging after 4 years. The calipers on the passat looked like somebody had shit on them.

 

I think in a few years only the rich will be able to afford to run and repair old cars.

[davehedgehog31]

I do wish I could be a bit less bothered about my cars.

 

My mate couldn't give a shit about his cars but is never stranded or anything. Has been driving the same Audi A4 for about 5 years, it's about 18 years old now and has done 200,000 miles with barely any history. It bangs  into every pothole, creaks and sounds fucked but he is oblivious to all of it. He's never so much as threw a bucket of water over it but it gets through it's MOT every year with the odd drop link here or brake disc there. 

 

Me, on the other hand. Meticulous about maintenance and a careful buyer, on the back of this cars longevity, bought a 55 Plate Skoda Superb Auto with one owner and full main dealer service history. It broke two springs in the first 6 weeks and then the auto gearbag shit the bed in spectacular fashion. 

 

Fuck cars.

[SierraMikeHotel]

We've all been here mate.  A couple of others have made similar posts lately and I really like how much support is offered by the AS community!

 

I'm considerably less good at repairing stuff than most people here, and I think it's important to know my limits.  My cars have mostly been very cheap and I've given up and moved them on when they've beaten me.

 

I aim to be in the VERY pleasant position, in a few months time, of owning some interesting old thing while still having the use of Mrs H's company C-class.  Having said that, if it was our own money we certainly wouldn't have something brand-new, it's a shit-ton of money - especially when you consider that the new-car industry basically exists to feed the finance industry.

 

I don't know if I'd be brave enough to really rely on old chod for everyday duties any more.

 

Best of luck, we're all (virtually) right behind you!

[Squire_Dawson]

Whatever you do, don't get anything properly old. They are 10 times worse and more expensive to run.

[skoda_fan]

I have a lot of sympathy with all the above. Maybe it's the time of year, we're all skint and there's no sign of summer any time soon. I agree the idea of lying outside on a dark damp evening with your head in the mud trying to undo a bastard seized nut soon loses its attraction. However I know that if I gave in and got rid of all the old shit I'd regret it in no time and be tempted by even crappier old stuff to replace it.

[chodweaver]

'PREVENTATIVE maintenance? You were lucky!'

etc. etc.

 

I do sympathise. I have been battling with a drive and garden full of wrecks for the last two years. Do I do anything about them? No. Do I pull my finger out and try to sell them or scrap them? No. The last time I fell foul of my own desire to tick a car off my bucket list, I bought it, ran it, got a pre-MOT test on it (which revealed far more failures than I wanted to know about), ran it some more till the MOT expired, then parked it up pending money and time to get it MOTd again. I was so optimistic I didn't even cancel the remaining months of insurance or tax and seek refunds, thinking that I would be 'on it in a week or two'. This was nearly a year ago. The jobs that await me for the MOT (just on that one car mentioned above) are: patching a rear subframe (not even sure that is possible), tidying both sills, patching a chassis leg (again, not even sure that can be done), fit an ABS sensor (completely missing) and hope that the rest of the ABS system is going to be 1: present 2: ready to play. And there's now three other vehicles requiring my attention:

Exhibit A: suspected OMGHGF; ABS light on; sill patch required (advisory on MOT last summer); driver's door window motor fried and window supported by wood

Exhibit B: patch required to chassis rail; rear brake drum refurb required, both sides

Exhibit C: massive rust from rear arches to rear of sills and B pillar, probably now making inroads into the floorpan; rust in scuttle panel that is leaking rain into the cabin; rust in windscreen surround

 

And while I have the time at the moment to start on any or all of this, I don't have the money for the parts or tools, or the materials to finish the car port that I want to give me cover for welding/prepping/painting let alone all the spannering that I need to do. Bollocks to doing that in the snow and rain.

 

Shit.

 

It's a good job I can't afford a modern. Probably.

[twosmoke300]

You should try doing that shit to make a living ! At least you don’t have miserable unreasonable and downright stupid customers to deal with after you can’t finish their car while they drive it down the road .

[egg]

Isn't the autoshite answer always buy a 90s Toyota? TooSavvy/Bornite etc