The grumpy thread

[RedSparrow]

I really dont see the need for AC in this county's climate. That includes cars, offices, shops, the lot.

Really wastefull and in shops its disgusting as it just recycles the germ-filled air.

[barrett]

Agree with what you lot are saying here, but if I may briefly change the subject away from cars (i'm good at that), my grump is the bloody bank holiday.... i've run out of fags and there is nowhere open for miles. Inconsiderate bastards.

 

okay, carry on as before...

[Mr Lobster]

I do like aircon in cars. It is handy in summer when (if) it gets hot but tbh is probably of more use in winter - get in the car in wet clothing and hey presto no more misted up windows.

 

Its been said before but the Dacia Logan and its ilk are the solution to me - relatively basic, reliable, new cars would make a lot of sense. Trouble is I suspect the vast majority of the public disagree and have an urgent desire for more gadgets than they can ever use or even understand.

[Jozza]

Tayne, I've been buying and selling Land Rovers since before the coil sprung variants were introduced, I know what they make, it's just not offered as a standard product. You have to specially order a downgraded unit to start with, just to get less for your money and wait longer for it.

My 2010 Defender brochure and the LR website both list the following as standard on the basic (i.e. not a County or XS) Defender Hard Top- vinyl seats, steel wheels with 205x16 tyres, rubber floor mats, a heater and a rear wash/wipe, all for £20,575 ( ). If you want carpets, cloth or leather seats, a radio, air-con, electric windows, smoked indicator lenses, side steps, front mudflaps, alloy wheels, body-coloured wheelarches or a roof that's any colour other than white or anything else you pay extra. They're hardly packing in the gizmos are they?

 

Granted I'd bet you wouldn't be able to walk into a showroom and buy such a Defender and they'd probably try and sell you a Discovery 4 instead but they are on offer. I don't know if they still do 'rest of world' spec ones with Tdi engines and no electronics though.

[Albert Ross]

Here's the issue. The dealers won't have a base model for you to go look at on stock. THe stuff they have in is all blinged up shit. You have to order a base model to get to see one before you can order one if you get me................ So they're not doing themselves any favours...... If I wanted to spend 21k on a base model, I would want to see one before I laid out the cash. If I wanted a shiny Sainsbury's taxi, I would be inundated with them. Shooting themselves in the foot.

[Jozza]

Is that including or plus VAT?

It's not clear- I'd guess excluding, since most of the Defender bodystyles are VAT exempt to commercial users.

 

Here's the issue. The dealers won't have a base model for you to go look at on stock. THe stuff they have in is all blinged up shit. You have to order a base model to get to see one before you can order one if you get me................ So they're not doing themselves any favours...... If I wanted to spend 21k on a base model, I would want to see one before I laid out the cash. If I wanted a shiny Sainsbury's taxi, I would be inundated with them. Shooting themselves in the foot.

Agreed- that's daft. I can understand why they may not have a 'Welsh hill-farmer spec' Defender on the floor given that they wouldn't sell very many but you'd think that if you were sure you wanted one you'd be able to order one there and then.

 

Ultra-basic Defenders are around. I recently did some work with a geophysics outfit operating out of a 2-week old Puma-engined 110 Utility Station Wagon which had none of the options I listed before except the front mudflaps. It did have a tow-hitch, a diesel-fuelled cabin heater, a split-charge system and a set of light guards though.

[Tayne]

.

[Albert Ross]

Poor ventilation? Why not have a big flap on the bulkhead to let fresh air in? Oh wait, they did that, and blocked it off on the factory air-con equipped models...................

[Pillock]

I really dont see the need for AC in this county's climate. That includes cars, offices, shops, the lot.

Really wastefull and in shops its disgusting as it just recycles the germ-filled air.

I'd ask you to come and work in my place for a day in summer. It can easily hit 35 degrees ambient and it's a warehouse so plenty of lovely lifting and carrying. The difference between the non-airconned warehouse and the aircon equipped office and workshop in seperate little pods within is amazing. Even last week it was unbearable to actually work in the warehouse and it was only high 20s.

 

But in cars, I can live without. It's nice, but for my Golf I specifically looked for one without the power-sapping, expensive-to-work-on AC. I prefer an open window when on the move, the only time I've found AC to be useful is with kids - get back to car parked in direct sun and you can start the engine, put it on "cold", close doors and spend two minutes putting buggy etc into boot. By the time you're ready to get in the car it's not like loading a baby into an oven.

[Pillock]

Here's the issue. The dealers won't have a base model for you to go look at on stock. THe stuff they have in is all blinged up shit. You have to order a base model to get to see one before you can order one if you get me................ So they're not doing themselves any favours...... If I wanted to spend 21k on a base model, I would want to see one before I laid out the cash. If I wanted a shiny Sainsbury's taxi, I would be inundated with them. Shooting themselves in the foot.

Are they? Or do they cater for the "I want it NOW" market?

 

"Sorry Sir, we don't have a base model on site. We do however have this model with the alloys, leather and powered nasal-hair trimmer. I've had a word with my boss and we can let you drive away today for only £750 more than the base model"

 

I'm no better, I'd probably fall for that. Once I decide I want something, I want it there and then.

[Jozza]

Poor ventilation? Why not have a big flap on the bulkhead to let fresh air in? Oh wait, they did that, and blocked it off on the factory air-con equipped models...................

The 1980s 'integrated' air-con in the Ninety/One Ten Landys really is a joke. Get rid of the Safari roof and the front flaps (surely one of the most effective 'non-conditioned' vent systems ever devised for a motor vehicle?) and fit an A/C unit that takes up all the parcel shelf space, requires a different front end to be fitted to the vehicle to accomodate it and that wheezes through four tiny vents that point nowhere near any of the vehicle occupants. There's even a note in the handbook saying that you shouldn't leave the A/C on its coldest setting because it will frost up and stop working

 

Of course they then hit on the idea of bolting the entire unit under the dash so it takes up all the knee-space.

 

If autoshite did Air-Con design.........?

[Albert Ross]

I have an export hardtop on my 109. Just the outer skin, no vents............

At least it keeps most of the rain out..... just. Land Rover. Built to leak. Water in, oil out. That's another thing. Why can my 40 year old 2286 diesel keep all it's fluids in, but newer cars just seem to haemorrhage all of their fluids out. Vauxhall for instance. Crank seals, cam seals, driveshaft seals, steering racks and pumps, water pumps, radiator shells, oil coolers for automatics leaking into radiators and vice-versa......?? Not a bloody one of them is any good.... Modern shit just is well.... SHIT!

 

Except my Focus. 2 trouble free years. (Watch it collapse tomorrow)

 

A kid just knocked on my door. " Here mate, you fix cars don't you?" He has a 6 year old Ford Ka. Got a crunching noise on the front. 2 broken coil springs. I have a pair from a lowering kit in the shed. I offered to fit them for him...... Cheap like. But he doesn't want them as they are lower. Like I said, no lower than the pair you have fitted right now mate...... I wait to see if he rings me tomorrow!

 

Otherwise he's getting a pair of legs from the local breakers. Nothing bloody lasts now, does it? Built to a price, not a quality. SHIT! ALL SHIT!!!!!!

[CortinaDave]

I'm very grumpy at the nonstop twats asking me questions on ebay that are already answered in the listing. Argh!

 

I've not sold a motor for a bit and I'd forgotten how much I hate doing it!

[Guest]

I've developed a cold over this bank holiday weekend and I'm going to be stuck in the lousy cramped office at work from the week to come. It stinks having a cold in there, because once you've got one, it just won't go away. I think it's largely due to poor ventilation (it's more of a store room than an office).

 

Once the next weekend comes in and I can get some fresh air, I stand a reasonable chance of killing it off. If I can't get rid of it completely, it'll just keep re-emerging. It's a cycle of sorts - on a weekend it can just about disappear, then you go back to work and by the early afternoon on Monday you're knackered with it again. Least it's a short week this time eh!

[Minimad5]

I know this may sound abit stupid but this really annoys me ..

 

> A simple reply would be nice !! <

 

I hate being ignored ...

 

Sorry

 

(Thats not to anyone on here by the way)

[Minimad5]

Rightio !

 

All in all i have been to 5 interviews for Apprenticeships

 

One company withdrew there position (no idea why)

 

One company rang me and said "Sorry, dnt want you" - which is fine , atleast they rang me and told me. lol.

 

One company the next day after my interview - "You have the position, that is if you want to accept it" - Which i have.

 

Company number 3 - No contact.

 

And the very very first interview i went for (about 3 weeks ago ?) , have just rang me saying "Hi Mark, we have not heard from you since we offered you the position"

 

Me = "Sorry, did you say you offered me the position ? , as i am totally unaware of this"

 

Boss Of Company = "Ooh, we contacted the woman who organised the interviews, and who found the candidates the next day, to say you passed the test, and we would like you on our team"

 

This would not normally annoy me.

But the fact that i have now accepted a "lesser" position , where a simple phone call to me (instead of someone else) .. could of made everything alot easier.

 

POO HATS !

 

(When i say "lesser" , i mean i had my mind and heart set on the other company from day one. As not only did there work interest me, but i felt really welcome)

[Guest]

Rightio !

 

All in all i have been to 5 interviews for Apprenticeships

 

One company withdrew there position (no idea why)

 

One company rang me and said "Sorry, dnt want you" - which is fine , atleast they rang me and told me. lol.

 

One company the next day after my interview - "You have the position, that is if you want to accept it" - Which i have.

 

Company number 3 - No contact.

 

And the very very first interview i went for (about 3 weeks ago ?) , have just rang me saying "Hi Mark, we have not heard from you since we offered you the position"

 

Me = "Sorry, did you say you offered me the position ? , as i am totally unaware of this"

 

Boss Of Company = "Ooh, we contacted the woman who organised the interviews, and who found the candidates the next day, to say you passed the test, and we would like you on our team"

 

This would not normally annoy me.

But the fact that i have now accepted a "lesser" position , where a simple phone call to me (instead of someone else) .. could of made everything alot easier.

 

POO HATS !

 

(When i say "lesser" , i mean i had my mind and heart set on the other company from day one. As not only did there work interest me, but i felt really welcome)

Is it too late to do the Switcheroo? Can you not explain the situation? It isn't your fault a follow-on call wasn't made.

[Minimad5]

Think it is too late to be honest with you Jon.

As this other company (the one i accepted) - have already got my work gear sorted, booked the college course for me and sorted everything out with the local council.

I do like the company and the staff, but when i set my mind on something, its normally alot easier to go with my mind.

 

But i know i have accepted a great offer and i won't regret it.

My grump was just about lack of communication i guess.

 

But hey ho.

 

Thanks for the advice though Jon

[warren t claim]

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, as they say.

 

Good luck with the new job and I'm sure you have made the correct decision.

[Minimad5]

Holy "STUFF" Warren

Your Avatars are rather erm ... interesting

 

Thanks mate, appreciate it.

 

(Have not forgot about your Peugeot btw, just trying to get the Rebel out of the way before all this work stuff starts)

[warren t claim]

Holy "STUFF" Warren

Your Avatars are rather erm ... interesting

 

Thanks mate, appreciate it.

 

(Have not forgot about your Peugeot btw, just trying to get the Rebel out of the way before all this work stuff starts)

It's ok. she has her pants on!

 

I don't think that sierra has dangley mirrors though....

[trigger]

A similar thing happened to me once.

 

I was working at a motor factors for a couple of years and was starting to get a bit depressed due to the manager and assistant manger not wanting to be their, They would be playing golf outside and shooting birds on the railway line and leaving me to run all the phones and serve all the customers as well as everything else on my own, This lasted for about a year and after complaints to the area manager which fell on deaf ears i decided i needed to get out of there.

 

So i applied for a job down at Manheim Car Auctions as a vehicle appraiser, Something that would interest me, I went for the interview and all went well and they said that they would contact me.

 

3 weeks later and still no news i get a phone call from my old boss where i was a truck driver for a loft conversions company before asking if i wanted my old job back for more money, It was crap work but still better then the motor factors so i left.

 

The next day i get a phone call from Manhiems telling me i had got the job there!, I was gutted and in hindsight i should of said yes and blown out the other job as it was crap and very hard work.

 

The only thing at the time that put me of the job was that they never told me how much I'd be on.

 

I sometimes wonder if i should of stayed doing bodywork on cars like i went to college for and was doing for 4 years after leaving school.

[The Moog]

Not usually one for being grumpy but got offered a free Pug 205 by an elderly lady friend of my mum. Her son in law lives in NL and comes over once in a while and used the car rather than hiring anything. He has decided it wasn't worth it and want rid.

 

She had the council lined up for taking it until I said I would have it. Agreed to get it yesterday. Got delayed so go t my mum to pass on the message that would be late.

 

But apparently someone had already been to collect it! Two blokes on foot knocked on the door and said they had come for the car. She gave them the keys and a paperwork and off they went.

 

She reckons she hasnt told anyone what was going on but is it very strange that happening. The most annoying thing was it started on the key and they drove off happy I was expecting to at least jump start it.

[Lankytim]

The opposite happened to me. I knocked someones door who had an allegro for sale on their driveway. The guy opened the door and gave me the keys and logbook! He had rang the scrapman to collect the car and thought I was there to collect it. When he realised I wasnt the scrap man he still wanted the £300 screen price. Cheeky bastard.

 

Anyway, my grump is with work. "can you come in at 16.30? Yep, ok" Phone rings, "sorry Tim, they have changed it to 23.00". a few hours go past, phone rings again "sorry Tim, theyve cancelled!" Phone rings again "are you available at 20.00?"

 

This happens every fucking day. SORT IT OUT, you SHOWER OF SHIT!

[warren t claim]

Fucking life.....

 

I'm begining to wonder if I have hit the gamble button too many times regarding my health.

 

I need to lose three stone, stop smoking, eat a healthy diet, stop knocking back a bottle of 40% every Saturday night and start doing at least 20 mins physical excersise a day.

 

Working odd hours at short notice can't be helping either.

[ChinaTom]

Had a scare?

 

Deffo cut out the booze man. Everything else positive you do at least stands a chance. Don't mean to be preachy.

[Station]

We had a completely, utterly useless Recruitment Manager called Richard Chipchase at a place I worked for who was about as useful as a dogpoo birthday cake. My mate applied to the place, as he was being made redundant. He had a good interview etc, but didn't hear anything back. He thought he hadn't got it, but out of curiousity he rang them up enquiring about not being in touch. He was told he was meant to be starting the next day!

When we were made redundant, it was part of his job description to help us get back on our feet in some way. All he did was get possibly (useless) jobs off equally useless job agencies. He didn't get anyone sorted. Fucking useless. I wouldn't be surprised if he was still there, doing fuck all.

[Minimad5]

Deffo cut out the booze man.

Agree'd

Even if you start doing abit more walking, "Every little helps"

Leave the 205 at home, and walk the shops.

Just stay alive on us

[Guest]

 

Deffo cut out the booze man.

Agree'd

Even if you start doing abit more walking, "Every little helps"

Leave the 205 at home, and walk the shops.

Just stay alive on us

I could well heed this advice also. Except I don't really drink. My guts do resemble a

 

dogpoo birthday cake

Most of the time though, so I've sacked off the pizza and 5 x yoghurts a day. Went to Maccys for the first time in TIME the other day and it gave me chronic shits, so that's another thing to avoid.

 

Filling the lift with fart did cheer me up though. C U LATER TRAPPED WIND.

[Minimad5]

Jon your sheer honesty makes me laugh.

Not to mention "Projectile shitting" - will never forget that