advice wanted

[scooters]

There's no 10-year-limit in Japan, where'd you hear that? They can drive what they like, provided it has their equivalent of an MOT.

yup you are right there - picked it up from an importer (funnily enough) - looked into it again after your post and apparantly over 10m of japan's 13m cars are over 10 years old so clearly bolloxs - however, I did find out that if you import a jap car that is Over 10years old there is no need to do an ESVA test - all you need is an MOT so this probably explains the plethora of Jap mid 09's imported MPVs with their ubershite curtains and funny mirror thingeys

[scooters]

I think you will be disappointed the the V6 Shoguns MPG unless it's a LPG, I do love the Shogun, One of the best 4x4's imho but try and see if you can find a 2.8TDi model in your budget, you'll get the better MPG, they are not that gutless neither plus you have the power bulge on the bonnet which i loved! (Yes i am sad!)

I know - something had to give and I decided that I could live with the MPG - after checking my company fuel policy as most of the miles I do are business related.mind you given that the last few cars i have had:Lexus LS400Daimler S3Daimler DD6Daimler 4.0have all been about as gutsy as you get I'm used to horrifying MPGs - most of my driving is motorway based so at least I am not getting hit on around town in itanyway, if it gets too much I can always flog it

[ChinaTom]

your budget would bag you that DD6 Insignia on the Bay at the moment - not even slightly tempted?

As one of the few forum members who has owned an XJ40 Double Six I can categorically say it is not a cheap car to own!!!

Tell me about it!! I'm one these few V12 owners.

I eventually sold it to Rob Jenner of the XJ40 owners club who knows more about these beasts than anyone I know btw - this one doesnt look in great nick - rusting round sunroof is rare in these and suggests a "friday pm" car. I think he is overpricing this by at least 800

I met Rob last week and bought a few bits and bobs for mine. Agree with the comments on that Insignia - my sunroof is, however, in similar condition.Back to topic - Shoguns are not terribly comfy on motorways in my experience - especially for the passengers. 3.0 V6 will get no more than 20mpg anywhere (speaking from experience). What about a first edition XC70 (V70 Crosscountry)? They seem to be rugged enough to handle the big mileages that <£1500 cars have.

[Gompo]

Could you really cope driving that amount of miles in a 4x4? I reckon I'd end up falling asleep, they seem so lifeless and wallowy to drive.If I were you I'd probably try and find a nice Saab 9000.

[Pete-M]

If you can find an extra few quid, there's always my Audi.

 

 

188k on the clock, 2.8 quattro tiptronic, FSH, proper nice old thing. One of the cats is rattling merrily away at the moment - I keep meaning to sort that, but it's not expensive at £2k.

[Justin Case]

If you want to enjoy your journeys, then it would be hard to beat a Saab 900 Classic; a 16 valve 900i should also be reliable, comfortable and give 30+ mpg. If you just want to always get there then a Toyota Carina E will do the job and the 1.8s are surprisingly economical.

[UglyAmerican]

How about a Toyota Avensis or Avensis estate?

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-TOYOTA-AVENS ... 2ea8af0c78

 

1100 quid, 139,000 miles, and 7 months of MOT remaining.

[Alpineandy]

A 2.2 might be an OK (if slow) way to travel, but the 1.9DTis from 99-00 or so have a reputation for eating gearboxes. I know two people who have personally suffered this. Otherwise, motheaten rear arches and French electrickery are the main things to watch for. Pretty sure the estates can be had in 7-seater guise.

For that money you could probably find a decent low milage manual Safrane (much much better built than the laguna). Alternatively there are still a few Pug 405s or Citroen BX/CX/XM/Zantias without inter-galactic milages (if they're big enough for you).

 

Without spending a fortune, large french wagons are usually the best for eating big distances without feeling like you've driven big distances. Although some of them can be a bit souless to drive...but I have a feeling Scooter isn't into french wheels.

[scooters]

tahnks for all you advice and having sat behid a Shogun in a traffic jam I have decided not to go for it - especially in the light of comments above - thanksPete - nice Audi - however, and no offence to anybidy here - whilst I recognise they are great cars they are just not to me - something about the type of A4 tdi driver we used to get around our house in Wandsworth a few years ago Avensis might not be a bad shout though.....big jap estate - always a good ideaback to the drawing board!

[scooters]

your budget would bag you that DD6 Insignia on the Bay at the moment - not even slightly tempted?

As one of the few forum members who has owned an XJ40 Double Six I can categorically say it is not a cheap car to own!!!

Tell me about it!! I'm one these few V12 owners.

I eventually sold it to Rob Jenner of the XJ40 owners club who knows more about these beasts than anyone I know btw - this one doesnt look in great nick - rusting round sunroof is rare in these and suggests a "friday pm" car. I think he is overpricing this by at least 800

I met Rob last week and bought a few bits and bobs for mine. Agree with the comments on that Insignia - my sunroof is, however, in similar condition.Back to topic - Shoguns are not terribly comfy on motorways in my experience - especially for the passengers. 3.0 V6 will get no more than 20mpg anywhere (speaking from experience). What about a first edition XC70 (V70 Crosscountry)? They seem to be rugged enough to handle the big mileages that <£1500 cars have.

another V12 nutter!!! wow - not many around - you are brave keeping the beast - do you do big miles in it I think one of the problems I had is that I put 5000 miles on it in December and january last year - I think one of the problems I have is a chronis case of compulsive heap buying syndromw copounded with a rather large mileage....tragic really bu look thanks for tlking sense into me about the Shogun

[scooters]

one of the volvo OC membes has a 960 Turbo Saloon he's offered me - might be a good idea - great cars and although its not an estate we have got the 850 already and having owned a 960 T before I can say that they are big refined comfortable cars

[scooters]

The devil you know!!!!well, I'm popping over to Swansea tonight to collect a J Reg volvo 960 Turbo auto saloon with 12 months T&T and only 165k on the clock...full leather etc - the alloys could do with a refurb but other than that it looks in very good condition - £600.....I knew I'd end up with a Volvo 900!!!!

[Negative Creep]

My car will be up for sale in two weeks if that's suitable?

[scooters]

My car will be up for sale in two weeks if that's suitable?

great car but I need somthing urgently

[scooters]

aresing hell!!went to pick up the 960 Turbo in Swansea last night - 200 miles from Herts - collected and 1st 150 miles were a delight - wonderful machine until it broke down at Windsor!!!!looks like a failed flywheel sensor

[FredTransit]

That's what happens when you start involving microchips. There be dragons.....

[AnthonyG]

Now that wouldn't have happened if you'd bought a Mk3 Astra!Seriously though hope you sort it out - are there specialist Volvo breakers out there?My mate breaks quite a few but I don't think he's had ever had any 960 turbos in. As he runs a independent Volvo garage he generally just takes in dead customer's cars - he mainly keeps the expired 740/940/960 estates as they have the highest demand for bits, and also the odd s40/v40 and the 850/V70 cars. Anything else, a few bits get taken off if it's worthwhile, and then it goes to the metal yard.P.S If there's any commonality with the 740/760 turbos he has taken apart quite a few of those - PM me for his number if it could be of help.

[ChinaTom]

Bad Luck!!! In order to fully conform to the spirit of Autoshite, may I suggest you look for one of these:

 

 

I bet they never break down. Saw one on the M5 this afternoon and it was full (I counted 10 but there may have been more kids in the cubby holes) of Africans. Drivers hailing from the more challenging continents usually know what to buy.

 

As for the XJ12, I have put 40k miles on it in 5 years which doesn't sound much, but they were all in short sharp bursts. Mechanically, it's sound - just the bodywork that's in a poor way. Now being renovated. I'm XJ81____ on that forum btw.

 

As for the Shogun, well I didn't wish to be too deriding of it as I have one in China for the mountains. There will be at least 400k miles on the clock before I condemn it to rest in peace, but it's the 3rd top end and 5th (FIFTH) gearbox. There is a spare g/b in the back as we can't trust it on long runs. All my passengers have at some point moaned about hemorrhoids and ear-ache. Still have a soft spot for the old thing though.

This was taken after the 3rd gearbox change - my mechanical engineers know as much about these boxes as Mitsubishi I reckon.

 

Fix the Volvo or start the hunt again?

[garethj]

If you're sure it's the flywheel sensor I can't believe it's a huge issue to change it, make sure all the electrical connections are nice and clean while you're in there.Not exactly Herts, but there's a Volvo breakers on the A1 just south of St Neots

[scooters]

If you're sure it's the flywheel sensor I can't believe it's a huge issue to change it, make sure all the electrical connections are nice and clean while you're in there.Not exactly Herts, but there's a Volvo breakers on the A1 just south of St Neots

Yeah, it's not exactly a huge issue to change it but it is one of those - electrical gremlins...I don't have time to do it myself but i will find a mechanic in Herts and tell him to clean and grease EVERY electrical point in the engine bay and then if it still isn't working, to test the flywheel sensor. The danger of not doing this is that you replace the sensor and the car starts working again but then breaks down on you 2 days later because all you had done was knock a loose/dirty connection back into working and it has failed again. My experience of 900 series is that because they are pretty dependable and last a long time you tend to find that electrical issues and relays start to play up at around the 150k mark - most folk I know carry all spare relays and sensors with them just in case....mind you most cars have died at 150k and these babys will go on and on so not surpising this starts to play up - i am confident of having her back on the road at the back end of next week

[peter9000uk]

Surprised no one metioned a Toyota Camry estate

[andrew e]

A Hyundia XG30 would have the car of choice

[mouseflakes]

Bad luck with the Volvo.

 

I'm going to take this opportunity (Jap people movers - sort of) to 'fess up to liking the awkward styling of these things...

 

 

Is this wrong of me?

 

They look a bit like a Citroen XM thats been squished to half the length.

[pogweasel]

Mr Flakes, you are one sick puppy!

[r.welfare]

Those Hyundai things were reputedly designed by Pininfarina, no? I somehow think the deadline was the morning after the office Christmas party...

[andrew e]

Pinin was having a pissing contest with Bertone after he knocked the Espero out

[mouseflakes]

Awww - knew I should've kept me mouth shut.... :oops:Future-shite? No? Okay then. (***Slopes off***)