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Bramz ever changing fleet merry go round.


bramz7

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7 hours ago, bramz7 said:

Ah yes, that's correct. 

Is there anything aside from rot to watch out for? I know they like their belts being done on time, but is there any weaknesses with the flat 4s? My cousin seems to think he hasn't replaced anything mechanical (really, in 4 years) on his turbo. 

Rocker cover gaskets and cam seals which can be engine-out jobs to do. They eat driveshafts for breakfast but only £50 a piece.

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  • 2 weeks later...

So I've owned an Impreza for 5 days. That's about enough time to report my findings. 

- Fuel economy is pretty dismal, I reckon 32mpg which to be fair to the car, isn't bad for its age or mileage. 

- Something in the exhaust makes it burble and pop on the overrun, and makes me sound like a yobbo in certain car parks. 

- Clutch release bearing makes a noise. As does something loose underneath, heat shield perhaps?

- Good for junction take offs due to its AWD, but not fast. 

- I really like it. Build quality seems cheap at first but everything works. Don't think I'll be selling this any time soon 

Took the 146 out today and it was fine in the 55 miles covered. Definitely a bit concerned with the supposed variator noises at low revs though. Probably should prioritise that. 

 

I'm semi on the lookout for something different for £aslittleaspossible, preferably an old Saab 9-5 or maybe a cheap 850. Or a Galant, as they seem particularly forgotten about. 

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Ohhhh I have got an 850 2.5 auto estate up for grabs in new year. Currently in Accrington but probably deliver it south for you.

It's an ex-bucketeer house car. MOT till May. Will be freshly serviced, had new check straps fitted, have new rear ABS sensors fitted and new front drop links.

AC doesn't work, comes on 15inch steels with winter tyres. Passenger rear door rubing strip missing, roof rails probably need sticking down as clips have gone.


Was going to ask £500 for it.

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I really liked that 850. I bought it in July-ish for about £700 with the intention of tinting the windows and using it as a (much needed) mobile home. Of course a few weeks later I agreed to swap it for an equally practical MX5 with Snagglepuss. It then did a tour of Scotland on the way up to Accrington, in utter comfort.

Here's a few pics from my time with it (August). As Snagglepuss says, the alloys (knackered) are no longer with it but I reckon it looks grand on the steelies and winter tyres he put on it.

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Fancy a mega cheap 850?? Supposed to have been collected by Exiled Tat Gatherer but not heard from him and I could do with cancelling the insurance policy. Recent photos, currently on the V70 rims but will come with the original wheels:

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I basically want my money back on the tyres, but bear in mind there’s a boat trip in the equation! Oh, and an mot test, should you be minded to put it in for one. 

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He came to collect in March 2018 and it inexplicably failed to start for us - looking back I suspect it may just have been low on pez as it’s been impeccable since then!  Pledged to return and never has. Someone else did express interest at the time but I’ve forgotten who it was. 

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So, as posted in the news thread, I now own a Rover 45 with 113hp of L series chug. Not that it feels like 113hp, the power seems to come in at around 2k revs, otherwise it's quite ancient feeling and sounding. That isn't a complaint though, the lack of 'modern' diesel gubbins jeopardy is a definite advantage, and it's done nearly 300 miles on half a tank. I don't think it holds much more than 50 litres either. 

Unfortunately it's a Project Drive era car. Now, I've not owned any post 1998 Rover, my last one was an 800 which is like staying in an old family run hotel, yes its dated and usually inhabited by the grey parade, but you get some remarkable solace in the comfort. Unfortunately this 45 isn't that, it's more like a deluxe room in a premier inn. There is hints of what you could have got, but it's all just a tease. 

Exhibit A:IMG_20200107_094748.thumb.jpg.14ac146a5f01abadd2c22b1ad48c0eec.jpg

Grim. Pretty dismal wood effort right? 

The heated seats do work, but they seem to turn off after a few minutes. The cheap stereo has a visual equaliser, and the speakers are oddly good. The seats are a bit meh. I don't find them uncomfortable but they aren't much more than just a seat. Lumbar support is like inflating a hard plastic balloon into your spine. 

It's a really nice car to drive though. As mentioned, Project Drive deleted the Rover suspension spec and implemented the MG suspension across the 45 range, and it's made it feel really planted and assured round bends. There is a harshness to the ride which sometimes ripples through the car, but it's only over very bumpy surfaces. 

Overall, quite surprised I like it so. Wouldn't mind switching in better seats but not sure how that would work with regards to the heated elements and the airbags....IMG_20200101_173614.thumb.jpg.a1fcf55c8366f5360ad06c04d23646a7.jpg

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Cheers James ( @Wingz123

 

I've noticed that the heater is pretty pants in this. Would this be similar a reason as to the 25 dieselnutjob is currently battling? 

I've also noticed that if I open the drivers window, it sends cold air right into my right leg. 

The starter motor also sounds completely wrong for a diesel too, if that makes any sense. Probably doesn't. 

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Okay so the 760, I must apologise for the lack of new photos for this particular update. 

So I was on/off perusing C&C for sub £1k stuff, as occasionally there is some semi decent stuff listed, albeit rarely now. By sheer random brain impulses, one night I went onto the Volvo section and came across this:

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Hmm. Thought I'd missed the boat on brick Volvo's but this looked alright. Didn't really have the cash to spare but what good is money if you can't buy something a bit nicer once in a while? Anyway, hastily arranged a viewing (Shenfield) and took it for a spin. Gearbox seemed okay, not the smoothest but it responded well, the interior was impeccable, and the rot was limited to a very small lower piece of rear arch. The headlining had been removed completely however, but the hardboard came with the car. 

I left a deposit and promised to return. Now I'm sure we have all been there, that few days of doubt and wondering if you had truly done the right thing (or maybe not) and I must admit, I did nearly bail. But I stuck to my guns and collected it on Sunday. First thing I noticed was the hideous and gigantic roof rack that had appeared on top, taking the feel and look of the car from old money to broke window cleaner. 

Fuel economy on the run home was about as terrible as expected, £50 struggling to do 200 miles by the look of it. Plenty of stares on the M25, I guess old Volvo's tug on many people's heart strings. Interior very welcoming and comfortable, all the switches and buttons have a very solid feel to them. Odometer works, all dials work, all windows work, sunroof dead, heated seats dead, unsure if all electric seat adjustment work too. 

Tailgate is new, it's been serviced (well engine fluids) last year (1.7k ago) but sadly the cambelt is well past overdue. I believe these are non interference in standard stock so that belt change takes a back seat to a gearbox fluid change. I've enquired about that with a local specialist, I don't want to cook the box. 

It's pretty quick. Not blistering, obviously, but it will shift if required. The ride is soft, the handling well weighted if a bit heavy if a bit enthusiastic, and the car looks well maintained. 

I'm still unsure if it's me. Normally I favour flaky fun cars, not practical boat like ones. I might keep it. I might swap it. I might sell it. Let's see.

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Okay took the Volvo on a mini 19 mile commute, and it's growing on me. It's really addictive putting the window down and hearing the turbo spool, plus it seems to handle a lot better than it should....

 

Can't seem to shake a lust for an E36 compact now though. Alas, space is now at zero, and funds are the same. Think I've missed that boat really. 

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