Anyone near Portland next Monday? Espero, innit!

[nigel bickle]

Ok, so I don’t tend to do collection threads here, (just not me).

 

However, this coming Monday I’m off, by train, to Portland in Dorset to collect this

 

 

 

An Espero 1.8 auto. Mot’d a year ago, totally unused since ( I’m repeatedly told)

So, on face value a simple jump start, book MOT, drive back..‘‘tis a Daewoo - they always start, right?

 

Now, I’m increasingly beginning to feel the Vendor is hiding something. When asked specifics he suddenly gets ‘ vague’, yet is anal on detail about timings etc.

 

I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that it won’t start. He tells me they haven’t even tried, in a year. Frankly, I’m doubtful.

 

So, I’m going equipped, battery, direct fuel squirter, tyre pump, tape, , ties, tools etc- & have just ordered up a new fuel pump ( tank fitted from above) as they seem a ‘ weak point’ on cars left standing.

 

I wondered if there’s anyone local, who, if needed, can suck through their teeth and look studious? Or provide a willing jump start, etc?

 

Be nice to think there’s a friendly face, local, if needed

 

Ta, muchly.

[eddyramrod]

If there's one anywhere, Nigel, it'll be here!  That's been my experience, as you know

[Snipes]

Can't help, but best of luck with it.

[nigel bickle]

Ta Eddy. Just getting a bad vibe on this one. Prob nowt...

 

Cheers Snipes!

[New POD]

you NEVER know who is watching.

[michael t]

Oooooh an Espero! I feel it's my civic duty to copy and paste this wonderful link to Autoshite's 'people's journalist' Chris Goffey and his roadtest of one back in '95.

 

From beginning of video to around 6:30 ish - 

 

[Pillock]

Pod has a point, this bit of the forum is open for all to see including anyone that works for breakdown. Whilst it's not exactly Patisserie Valerie levels of fraud, someone might get a bee in their bonnet and it wouldn't be hard to spot an Espero that's needed a tow on their system.

[nigel bickle]

Oh ffs.

 

Why do I bother here. Used to be a class act, now it’s a shitty third hand car sales room.

 

I’ll just fuck off & leave you clever buggers too it.

[BorniteIdentity]

I think that’s the most useful post POD has made in ever. Made with the best of intent and with your best interests at heart.

 

If you’re genuinely offended by it then I’m genuinely surprised.

[brownnova]

I'm jealous... I saw two Esperos festering and had much wantage... But I gotta sort Project Saab first!

[New POD]

Oh ffs.

 

Why do I bother here. Used to be a class act, now it’s a shitty third hand car sales room.

 

I’ll just fuck off & leave you clever buggers too it.

I.genuinely tried to privately send my thoughts but the computer says no.

[New POD]

I think that’s the most useful post POD has made in ever. Made with the best of intent and with your best interests at heart.

 

If you’re genuinely offended by it then I’m genuinely surprised.

Now he's read it, I have deleted it. I hope he's faux offended. But if not. Meh.

[Cheggers]

If it makes it halfway back and you need support/ cuppa/ somewhere to park the remains just holler!

[Bren]

Is'nt it based on vauxhall? Easy start and clean plugs are your friend.

[nigel bickle]

 

 

So, Seller was as expected, evasive, no eye contact, although he did pick me up from the station. Thanks, appreciated.

 

I was given @ 30 secs to glance at the car before being ushered indoors to meet (disabled) Dad, settle up - at which point my Driver had to get back to work ‘ really urgently’. But don’t worry, ‘ it’ll start really easily’. Not from where I’m standing it won’t, it clearly hasn’t moved in a very long time, and looks a mess.

 

Key in the door, unlocks but no central locking. Key in ignition - dead. Pop bonnet, battery sides blown out slightly - so it’s borked. Thankfully I had brought a replacement with me so was swiftly wrestled in, and the car span over.

Squirt fuel up the inlet and a dose on the air filter got it running, briefly, but it kept dying. I hadn’t brought a replacement pump..,

Fourth time it caught, the existing pump whined loudly into life, the car settled to a sensible tick over. All seemed good.

I cycled the auto box, and it strained but wouldn’t move. I rocked it back/ forth and the rear brakes - locked on high with a near vertical handbrake, finally freed. It moved. It felt ‘ normal’.

 

I returned to the home owner for a bucket of water, fill my expandable 5l bottle ( seized brakes need drowning or dodgy head gasket saver). To say he was surprised it was running/ had moved was an understatement - although he tried hard not to show it.

 

Quick rinse down to shift the worst, and 40 mins after arrival I was away - to a prebooked mot 120 miles away.

 

I was pleased with the way it ran, the rust mentioned is untidy but surface, the interior was sound ( smells giffer), the car felt eager.

And it was, until I properly needed the brakes, when the pedal went near to the floor and the steering shook noticeably. Pumping brought 5hrn back, but I was unsettled.

Strange, as the pedal was normal when first started. I surmised the disc was probably rusty where the pads gripped, so proceeded down to Weymouth & inland to Dorchester with care. They were borderline dangerous at this stage, (esp in an auto) but I felt that once on a main road, safe distances and a gentle speed would be safe enough.

 

The car settled, the heater warmed, the dials were as they should be. The car was 3/4 full of rancid fuel, enough to get me home ( no pez shot- sorry!)

 

The brakes gradually improved with constant use, & the car became noticeably quieter. I was followed by a Traffic car for around 5 miles along the A31, and expected a tug, but it didn’t happen. That rinse over worked I guess.

 

Home arrived safely, without incidence, and I switched it off, for the very first time. It’s now on the button, tyres seem sound, lights all work, wipers borderline but I just slung it in for the pre booked test - and it only passed!

 

Seems Dad had been telling the truth when he told me that it hadn’t moved since it’s last Mot, as it had covered 137 miles since - & I drove 115 back to mine, then 4 to the test!

 

An advisory on a slightly rusty brake pipe, Minor distortion still showing on the brake rollers ( which we both agreed would probably vanish with use) was all we found. Totally solid, although the paint needs urgent rectification as the sills are near bare.

I ran it through an automated car wash on the way home, and drove home. It’ll stay off road for a week or two ( I have 2 manual Espero both on the road) whilst I protect the underside, but it’s effectively ready to go.

 

I was wary of buying another automatic Espero. I’ve a lovely, low mileage one but it’s a horrid compromise, the gearbox ruins the car, taking all the joy out of the engine, and destroying fuel consumption. This one is much better, with the gears better suited. Similar to my 2 manuals, with my low mileage clean one not driving half as nicely as my high mileage (65k!) ratter.

 

I’ll try to get some pics of all 4 together sometime - a rare sight you’ll not see often!

[Asimo]

^^^That's the way to do it!

 

Are these automatics a 3 speed like an '80s Cavalier?

[loserone]

Fug me, I'd have been crapping myself with the number of bad signs there. Pleased it sounds like you've a good car out of it.

 

Expert shiting, top work, A***

[Dick Cheeseburger]

Result. I read that whole account awaiting the part where it all went wrong. Sounds like the car fully deserved it's lifeline with you.

If it were me, I wouldn't be able to resist sending a quick photo of me with a thumbs up at the MOT certificate. Bet the PO would be blown away!

[fairkens]

Top collectioning, moar pics needed!

[Dan_ZTT]

+1 for pics please. Sounds like you've done a top job on this one

[rantingYoof]

That was a tense read. :shock:

[skattrd]

Awesome Mr_B. 

What's the difference between this and your other auto Espero? They sound like chalk and cheese.

 

Next time you find an automatic Espero for sale feel free to drop me PM, if you're not snaffling it for yourself.

[nigel bickle]

Ok

 

So here’s a couple of pics of the new, green auto, (resplendent post Mot/ wash) & the low mileage manual...

 

 

 

 

And if I find another, i’ll Let you know. 6 Daewoos is more than enough!

 

And a little something to put a smile on your faces....

 

[loserone]

They do look sleek, even with those sticky tyres