The Doctor's travels through time. Fin.

[AxWomble]

Age above all else it seems, I’ll be careful what I tell insurers from now on….I can only dream of such low premiums! 

[AxWomble]

Did you do the welding yourself by the way, @castros_bro? There doesn’t seem to be a ragged hole in the wheel arch anymore! 

[DoctorRetro]

As the Matiz is a scruffy mess, and I really don't care about it, the obvious thing to do is start to improve random bits of cosmetics isn't it? 

Hole in dashboard roughly cut circle and a grommet stuffed in.

 

Scratched centre console... Painted!

Scruffy wiper arms also painted 

 

[AxWomble]

Cosmetics are winning over here too - o/s driveshaft CV joint sounds like it’s about the come through the floor……but I just want to paint my wheels and put my new hubcaps on! Also, loving the centre console! 

[busmansholiday]

Now that's an interesting idea, might do that to mine (when I fix brakes).

 

[Rod/b]

Are you going to do the heater panel too?  

[DoctorRetro]

1 minute ago, Rod/b said:

Are you going to do the heater panel too?  

Yeah, on the to do list

[Zelandeth]

Echoes of Peugeot 107 Sport XS...

Always thought it was daft they didn't do the same to the instrument panel surround and door handles.

[rob88h]

1 hour ago, DoctorRetro said:

 

Reminds me of the mighty Baleno we both got to experience with it’s body colour coded centre console 😆

[3VOM]

2 hours ago, castros_bro said:

Not sure how but I got £87.49 for a year then additional £40 cashback.    I did try to get "The Pope" addded as an additional driver (he's unlikely to complain) but under "title" there was no "Pope" option.

Pope isn't an official title. Try Bishop of Rome

[Dick Cheeseburger]

1 hour ago, rob88h said:

Reminds me of the mighty Baleno we both got to experience with it’s body colour coded centre console 😆

Untaxed since May 😕

 

[DoctorRetro]

1 minute ago, Dick Longbridge said:

Untaxed since May 😕

 

Yes, I believe it is now in a banger racer's yard, awaiting its 'turn'. 

[MorrisItalSLX]

10 hours ago, busmansholiday said:

Now that's an interesting idea, might do that to mine (when I fix brakes).

Very Sporty!

I wonder if the black trim on the lower half of the steering wheel would benefit from the same treatment?

[DoctorRetro]

In lovely Leatherhead today for work.

This is my steed for the day 

It's horrible, an automatic too. 2 year old hire cars are always the pits. 🤮

Stuck it in eco mode and went for a record. Not too bad for a petrol auto on the M25.

[Kiltox]

Which pikey outfit is that from? Enterprise?

Agreed it always feels like you’ve lost the hire car lottery if it’s a bit older. 

[loserone]

Unless it's a Luton transit with a peeled back roof and no second gear

[DoctorRetro]

1 hour ago, Kiltox said:

Which pikey outfit is that from? Enterprise?

Agreed it always feels like you’ve lost the hire car lottery if it’s a bit older. 

Europcar. I normally specify Thrifty, because Europcar is a shower of shit, but forgot this time. 

[Kiltox]

2 minutes ago, DoctorRetro said:

Europcar. I normally specify Thrifty, because Europcar is a shower of shit, but forgot this time. 

Christ, they must be struggling. I thought it was just Enterprise that kept them on fleet this long. 

[DoctorRetro]

4 minutes ago, Kiltox said:

Christ, they must be struggling. I thought it was just Enterprise that kept them on fleet this long. 

Europcar just took a delivery recently of brand new base model MG ZS's, does that tell you how well they're doing? 😂

[DoctorRetro]

Yesterday I decided to try to investigate why the horn wasn't working on the Matiz  to no avail. There seems to be a random wire or two just floating behind the steering wheel. I also noticed the fuse was missing, so replaced that - still nothing. Ah well, not to worry, will leave it for now.

Went out to pick up Claire from shops today and I got to the edge of my street and the horn decided to start working!

Permanently.

An old couple walking by thought I was beeping at them, so pulled over and turned off engine. Of course it's a permanent live. 🤦

Trying my best to not look flustered and reassuring the wrinklies that I was experiencing mechanical maladies not anger issues, I jumped out and popped the bonnet to get the fuse out. After what felt like an eternity, I got it to shut up. That explains why the fuse had been pulled. 🙄

A quick fake laugh and joke with the passers by and I was off, feeling embarrassed and wizened.

Cars eh? 

[DoctorRetro]

Just back from nearly 200 mile round trip to FOD, AX was superb.

@Mrs6C thinks it's actually a diamond in the rough, and with a little effort can be a lovely little car. After today I tend to agree. Sat at about 60mph all the way there and back, it was faultess. 

Pictured here at a coffee stop on the way. 

Back home

[DoctorRetro]

Oh no. 

I've seen a Lada Samara for sale. 😱

[DoctorRetro]

It begins...

 

[DoctorRetro]

Only I could make it worse than it was previously.

Before

After

I haven't prepped properly, meaning the plastic on the bumper has gone 'fluffy'.

Needs rubbing back and redoing. And I ran out of paint, so it looks patchy. 

 

[Dobloseven]

9 minutes ago, DoctorRetro said:

Only I could make it worse than it was previously.

Before

After

I haven't prepped properly, meaning the plastic on the bumper has gone 'fluffy'.

Needs rubbing back and redoing. And I ran out of paint, so it looks patchy. 

 

How on earth could you, of all people, run out of paint? 

[DoctorRetro]

2 minutes ago, Dobloseven said:

How on earth could you, of all people, run out of paint? 

Ha ha. Well, yes, I have plenty paint - but there's no pink going anywhere near this car! 😂

[AxWomble]

23 hours ago, DoctorRetro said:

Just back from nearly 200 mile round trip to FOD, AX was superb.

@Mrs6C thinks it's actually a diamond in the rough, and with a little effort can be a lovely little car. After today I tend to agree. Sat at about 60mph all the way there and back, it was faultess. 

Pictured here at a coffee stop on the way. 

Back home

Waney! Glad it behaved - it was always cosmetically challenged but mechanically never gave us any bother, clutch aside. We nearly came along today but had a family event to attend. Will hopefully be at the next one, which I think might be next year now? Top work with the AX! 

[DoctorRetro]

Grille came out ok, not a bad colour match either, considering I used Montana Ancient White.

If I rub the bumper down with some very fine 600 paper and then prime and paint it should be ok I reckon.

Checked the oil in the Matiz , only to find out it was not even reaching the dipstick! That might explain the tappyness when cold. 😬

Popped to Tesco to grab some 5W30 FS, and spotted a K10 Micra so had to take a quick snap. No idea what is going on with the colours in the pic though! 

Finally, just a pic of the AX, because I can, and just to prove I didn't actually paint it green!

[Spurious]

I think it would look sharp with some metal plates. 

[DoctorRetro]

Off on a collection mission tonight.......with a difference. 🤔