The grumpy thread

[Tamworthbay]

Yup, they days of a half decent Dolomite with MOT for £750-£1000 seem to be over sadly.

 

Having said that, probably for the best otherwise I'd probably even more of the things...

Mine still needs a bit of work but is mechanically gorgeous and structurally sound, interior is gorgeous. Long Mot as well, could be in that price range if anyone is interested........

[M'coli]

Then again, where you lived was probably looked bad on paper given all the people that couldnae manage to get round your bend.

Oo-er missus! I think the record for one particularily frosty night was 3 seperate accidents, 5 cars written off, 11 polismen in the front room and no clean cups in the kitchen!

[Eddie Honda]

To everyone else, considering both G84 and G82 cover a considerable square mileage between them, just using the first part of the postcode is a very blunt way of weighing up risk. It ends up lumping the rural bits with the scummiest hole in main big town. It's so blunt that they might as well lump the whole country together if they are going to be that lazy.

[dean36014]

Not sure if this is a grump or grin, suppose its a grump as I needed the car this weekend. Fired up the pug of much cheapness today to take it round the back of the house to remove some paving slabs in it. Car started fine, then started misfiring and engine management light came on and an annoying bleep started. Stuck my bluetooth fault code reader in and fired up the torque app. Got a fault code of PO200 so injector related. Did a google and it mentioned checking the resistance on the injectors. Never messed with fuel injection before so first time for everything. got the fuel injectors out in about 15 minutes, someone had been there before as one of the plugs on an injector had been super glued on for some unknown reason. Got the multimeter and and low and behold no readings on number one injector, so caput. The joys of driving a cheap crap car is there are loads of bits on ebay, got a whole fuel rail with wiring and 4 injectors for £22 delivered. So hopefully it will be back on the road soon, just unfortunate i needed it to move my daughter back to uni on Sunday. So fingers crossed the parts turn up in time but doubtful.

[richardmorris]

Following on from yesterday's grumpy incident reporting I had a call at lunchtime from a PC who seemed sympathetic and understanding, says he rides too at the weekends, and has arranged to come over and take a statement. I told him I'd got the car wrong and twas a Nissan not ford but he said that's ok, the details check out. So maybe this car reg has been reported before?

[danthecapriman]

Driving grump from me.

Came home from work this afternoon on A3 in my works van which is limited to 70 and says as much on a sticker on the back.

Anyway, looked in the mirror, nothing there but a red car some distance back so I indicate and pull out into lane 2 to overtake two HGV's and a Transit tipper in lane 1. So I pass the two HGV's and carry on in lane lane 2 to pass the Transit. By now the little red car that was miles back (literally) is now right on my back bumper! It must have been doing three figure speeds to get so close in that time frame.

Next thing I know it's swerving around behind me flashing it's lights! I'm not one to be bullied by such cunts so carried on with my overtake. Then this car swerves across to lane 1, attempts an undertake on me as I'm about to start passing the Transit and squeezes through the gap in between me and the Transit!! It was so unbelievably close I don't know how this stupid cow missed my front wing or the back of the Transit. It was seriously close and was dangerous. So I gave her the horn, flashing lights and some foul language and hand gestures.

She then cuts back across into lane 1 right in front of the Transit and takes the slip road we were all about to pass!

Fucking impatient bitch. Why do people have this mindset these days where being behind someone else, waiting or being patient is completely unacceptable to them? Why would it even enter your fucking thick skull to attempt that sort of stunt just to get ahead by one car length only to immediately take the exit? It's me first me first and that's it.

I was absolutely furious when it happened. It was very nearly a 70 mph crash which would probably of caused me to roll my van if she'd hit me. The Transit driver shit himself when she did it too.

[Supernaut]

Following on from yesterday's grumpy incident reporting I had a call at lunchtime from a PC who seemed sympathetic and understanding, says he rides too at the weekends, and has arranged to come over and take a statement. I told him I'd got the car wrong and twas a Nissan not ford but he said that's ok, the details check out. So maybe this car reg has been reported before?

I remember checking the MOT history of that car and it had advisories for the wheels being dented. Sounds like they've swerved at people before and hit the kerb instead, eh?

[Tamworthbay]

Why do some people not bother to read a post then spend half a thread trying to prove a point that never existed in the first place?

[richardmorris]

Who knows?! All I know is that I wasn't holding him up and he took umbrage at me complaining about his close pass and first swerve into me to avoid the traffic light island. Car also had a loose and taped up n/s wing mirror, so possibly he has hit something / someone before.

Capriman Dan seems to have had a similar experience in his car. What's the world coming to!

As I said to the PC who phoned, most of the time you just shrug off the idiot passes and close left hook turns. But this was deliberate and dangerous intimidation.

 

Grumpy grump today is that I cycled in at 5.30am ( wearing my new fetching 3/4 length fluoescent yellow and black shorts) then found out at 4pm when coming home that I'd forgotten the baggy shorts I normally wear in daylight! Anyway, off to the lakes tomorrow with the whole family and get to drive my dad's new DS4- not a grump!

[richardmorris]

Why do some people not bother to read a post then spend half a thread trying to prove a point that never existed in the first place?

Keyboard warriors.

[fordperv]

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/carjacked-ford-cortina-barmaid-tells-8882972.amp

[DodgeRover]

Driving grump from me.

Came home from work this afternoon on A3 in my works van which is limited to 70 and says as much on a sticker on the back.

Anyway, looked in the mirror, nothing there but a red car some distance back so I indicate and pull out into lane 2 to overtake two HGV's and a Transit tipper in lane 1. So I pass the two HGV's and carry on in lane lane 2 to pass the Transit. By now the little red car that was miles back (literally) is now right on my back bumper! It must have been doing three figure speeds to get so close in that time frame.

Next thing I know it's swerving around behind me flashing it's lights! I'm not one to be bullied by such cunts so carried on with my overtake. Then this car swerves across to lane 1, attempts an undertake on me as I'm about to start passing the Transit and squeezes through the gap in between me and the Transit!! It was so unbelievably close I don't know how this stupid cow missed my front wing or the back of the Transit. It was seriously close and was dangerous. So I gave her the horn, flashing lights and some foul language and hand gestures.

She then cuts back across into lane 1 right in front of the Transit and takes the slip road we were all about to pass!

Fucking impatient bitch. Why do people have this mindset these days where being behind someone else, waiting or being patient is completely unacceptable to them? Why would it even enter your fucking thick skull to attempt that sort of stunt just to get ahead by one car length only to immediately take the exit? It's me first me first and that's it.

I was absolutely furious when it happened. It was very nearly a 70 mph crash which would probably of caused me to roll my van if she'd hit me. The Transit driver shit himself when she did it too.

Have you got a dashcam? If so I guess you could send the footage through to the polis? Otherwise post it to as many groups as you can, send it to the daily mail or whatever. Failling that hire the same car and put those plates on it, spend a pleasant day speeding through cameras..

[danthecapriman]

Who knows?! All I know is that I wasn't holding him up and he took umbrage at me complaining about his close pass and first swerve into me to avoid the traffic light island. Car also had a loose and taped up n/s wing mirror, so possibly he has hit something / someone before.

Capriman Dan seems to have had a similar experience in his car. What's the world coming to!

As I said to the PC who phoned, most of the time you just shrug off the idiot passes and close left hook turns. But this was deliberate and dangerous intimidation.

Grumpy grump today is that I cycled in at 5.30am ( wearing my new fetching 3/4 length fluoescent yellow and black shorts) then found out at 4pm when coming home that I'd forgotten the baggy shorts I normally wear in daylight! Anyway, off to the lakes tomorrow with the whole family and get to drive my dad's new DS4- not a grump!

I also try now to not get wound up by stuff like this, you'd be pissed off all day otherwise. And it completely accept that everyone makes mistakes, I'm not perfect either but it's the people who deliberately do things because of a self righteous attitude, and it's dangerous! I was thinking afterwards if that would of hit me she could easily of killed me, Transit man, or herself and it's just not on! Especially if it's just because you don't want to slow down or are being impatient. Why should someone almost be able to kill someone else for the sake of waiting or slowing down.

I do tend to let it go now. I was very hot headed when I was a bit younger but I've decided it's not worth it anymore so make every effort to leave it alone but when it's that dangerous and pointless it's natural to go a bit mad. I just wish people would chill out and be a bit more courteous.

[danthecapriman]

Have you got a dashcam? If so I guess you could send the footage through to the polis? Otherwise post it to as many groups as you can, send it to the daily mail or whatever. Failling that hire the same car and put those plates on it, spend a pleasant day speeding through cameras..

Sadly not. It's a company vehicle (Merc Sprinter) but I'm seriously considering getting one out of my own money for my own peace of mind. The amount of driving I do it's probably worth it as it could put me in the clear with my employer if it came to anything.

Anyone got any recommendations for good cameras that I won't have to modify the vehicle in any way to fit?

[richardmorris]

I also try now to not get wound up by stuff like this, you'd be pissed off all day otherwise. And it completely accept that everyone makes mistakes, I'm not perfect either but it's the people who deliberately do things because of a self righteous attitude, and it's dangerous! I was thinking afterwards if that would of hit me she could easily of killed me, Transit man, or herself and it's just not on! Especially if it's just because you don't want to slow down or are being impatient. Why should someone almost be able to kill someone else for the sake of waiting or slowing down.

I do tend to let it go now. I was very hot headed when I was a bit younger but I've decided it's not worth it anymore so make every effort to leave it alone but when it's that dangerous and pointless it's natural to go a bit mad. I just wish people would chill out and be a bit more courteous.

 

EXACTLY!

[Timewaster]

Sadly not. It's a company vehicle (Merc Sprinter) but I'm seriously considering getting one out of my own money for my own peace of mind. The amount of driving I do it's probably worth it as it could put me in the clear with my employer if it came to anything.

Anyone got any recommendations for good cameras that I won't have to modify the vehicle in any way to fit?

Remember to throw the SD card in the skip if you have been a twat. You wouldn't want to incriminate yourself uunnecessarily.

[danthecapriman]

Remember to throw the SD card in the skip if you have been a twat. You wouldn't want to incriminate yourself uunnecessarily.

I can't drive this van like a twat really, it in full company livery with a phone number on it. It's also got a GPS device that measures speed, braking force, cornering, and exact location. It's so accurate I've had a bollocking before for going over the 30mph limit on a 30 road in town! It knows exactly where you are and what the roads speed limit is! I do make the effort to drive properly in this thing!

[HillmanImp]

I have been starting my new job, which is good but I am working in Redhill, which is a long way from Yorkshire.

 

Currently sat in an Ask Italian on mi lonsome surrounded by cheery people enjoying their night out whilst i sit here looking at my phone.

 

To make matters worse Imp Jr. is poorly and I am miles away and can't look after him.

 

Sucks.

 

However, i shouldn't have to come down to Redhill too much after this, hopefully.

[DodgeRover]

Sadly not. It's a company vehicle (Merc Sprinter) but I'm seriously considering getting one out of my own money for my own peace of mind. The amount of driving I do it's probably worth it as it could put me in the clear with my employer if it came to anything.

Anyone got any recommendations for good cameras that I won't have to modify the vehicle in any way to fit?

I bought one as my van is painted 'stealth' blue and is practically invisible on roundabouts and at junctions......

 

I've got one off ebay that cost £12 + a microSD card, stuck it on the window months ago and it's not moved since, runs from the fag lighter socket. I did have it recording continuously but it seemed to have a wobbly after a week or so and need the cars reformatting so now is wired via ignition controlled live. Picture quality is good enough to make out reg numbers and what people are doing. Does a continous recording loop once the card is full it over writes the oldest files first.

[DodgeRover]

I have been starting my new job, which is good but I am working in Redhill, which is a long way from Yorkshire.

 

.

Redhill Surrey?

[danthecapriman]

I bought one as my van is painted 'stealth' blue and is practically invisible on roundabouts and at junctions......

I've got one off ebay that cost £12 + a microSD card, stuck it on the window months ago and it's not moved since, runs from the fag lighter socket. I did have it recording continuously but it seemed to have a wobbly after a week or so and need the cars reformatting so now is wired via ignition controlled live. Picture quality is good enough to make out reg numbers and what people are doing. Does a continous recording loop once the card is full it over writes the oldest files first.

I might look into getting one I think. The trouble is with my employer, if things do happen on the road it's immediately their own staff who are treated with suspicion regardless of what actually happened. If nothing else it might just put me in the clear should anything happen.

I might ask my boss if they will at least consider letting me get one for my van, they might see it as a great idea and buy one for me.

My van is due for replacement very soon too so I might try getting one for the new van.

[richardmorris]

I used to think it was driving an old car that made people pull out on me at junctions and roundabouts, but it happens when I'm in a new car or on my bike too. Back in 1994 I bought a set of triple tone air horns for the 2cv after a bus pulled out in front of me across two lanes on the coast road nr Holywell to turn right and then stopped blocking th two lanes. It's not easy to lock four wheels in a 2cv from 60mph!

 

I occasionally think I must have pressed the Klingon cloaking device button by mistake in the merc! If it wasn't increasing in value I'd be very tempted to accelerate instead of braking some times. Let's see how two tones of German engineering does against your poxy Vauxhall (* other cars are available, and don't indemnify our client against other modes of road rage).

 

My mum always said to watch out for the idiots on the road - which I do, but it doesn't actually help when the idiots chase you down.

 

A boring story....

Monday night on the way back from our 2cv meeting in twickenham, a very large circus Lorry was turning right at the lights from my left. It was struggling and so I hung back and let it manoeuvre as my lights turned green. My lights went red and then green again whilst the rest of the bloody troup drove through oblivious as they wanted to stick together. Three sets of red, green etc I sat through, then stamped my foot down in annoyance at being taken for a mug and for the first time in my ownership the merc set off in 1st gear- wow does it move at 5000 rpm in 1st! Had an email later from my mehari driving friend behind asking if I'd meant to leave 20feet of tyre tread on the road!

 

Have I said I'm having a bad week?

I also have to pay for our weekend family holiday In the Lake District on Sunday ( a week before I get paid) which is ok, but not my idea -( my sister's idea for our parent's 50th wedding anniversary). I am not convinced that my 4yr old niece will be happy doing Catbells.

[Lankytim]

Alternator on the PT cruiser is making a whirring sound and the battery light is on. it's a ball AND cock ache on the 2.2 diesel too. Still starts and drives fine though. weird.

[Guest Hooli]

and for the first time in my ownership the merc set off in 1st gear- wow does it move at 5000 rpm in 1st! Had an email later from my mehari driving friend behind asking if I'd meant to leave 20feet of tyre tread on the road!

 

 

I used to love that trick of Merc autoboxes when I had a 260e. Pull away in the wet, just balancing grip with the throttle & at 20mph it'd shift down & go sideways

[Cavcraft]

I can't drive this van like a twat really, it in full company livery with a phone number on it. It's also got a GPS device that measures speed, braking force, cornering, and exact location. It's so accurate I've had a bollocking before for going over the 30mph limit on a 30 road in town! It knows exactly where you are and what the roads speed limit is! I do make the effort to drive properly in this thing!

 

I can't begin to imagine how shit it must be have a vehicle with a tracker like that. I'd have been sacked on my first day if we had them 20 odd years ago.

[DodgeRover]

One of the sparkies I worked with got pulled into the office as the tracker showed he had stopped off at the scrapyard in the way home

[andy18s]

The Father in law retired from the AA just as they were bringing in tracking for their vans

He was constantly getting pulled into the office to explain his "vigorous acceleration " and "fuel wastage" that was being logged....

[bub2006]

I've a tracker in my van. Moniters location and speed that I know of. I've not been pulled up for quick acceleration or going into corners too quick

[messerschmitt owner]

sounds to me like the kinds of over zealous bosses who need to get a life!

[chaseracer]

It's the 'McKinsey Maxim', so beloved of management consultants and unimaginative executives the world over: "what can be measured can be managed."

 

Whether it's important or not...