The grumpy thread

[Noel Tidybeard]

minor grump in the scheme of things

 

after reading about purplebargekens FX4

 

I came to the sudden and sad realisation that the London ULEZ would pretty much dash any hope of owning one

 

all the more reason to find an invacar tho since thats ULEZ exempt   (and all the more reason to try and GTFO of London...)

 

 

The Austin FX4 is a taxicab that was produced from 1958 until 1997

 

i think you could prolly get an exempt one  on the 40 year rule

[LightBulbFun]

The Austin FX4 is a taxicab that was produced from 1958 until 1997

 

i think you could prolly get an exempt one  on the 40 year rule

 

i imagine older examples would be £LOL and I cant imagine there are many left too, considering being a Taxi they would of been driven into the ground and then scrapped sadly

 

(when I mentioned my wants for an FX4 taxi a while back to another shitter they warned me that any for sensible money be pretty shagged by now and they are money pits... sounds about right for something I want LOL)

 

I always used to prefer riding in FX4s over later cabbies and would make my mum seek one out when possible if we where hailing a Cab (I knew em as "suicide door taxis" back then which led to fun conversations with people "you know the old suicide taxis?" LOL)

[Angrydicky]

That CX is heartbreaking, I remember reading about 'jj' and his exploits with that car around Glasgow when I first joined here

 

I've still got my Royale saloon sat down the side of my parents house, slowly rusting away, minus its cylinder head. It needs a few hundred quid throwing at it and a bit of time to get it back on the road, neither of which I have. I'm concerned about it deteriorating, but more concerned about selling it to someone who breaks it up for spare parts, banger races or scraps it (or sells it on to someone who would do any of these things). I offered it back to the previous owner, who was pestering me to sell it back to him, but now he's umming and ahhing as he's just bought another car. If someone here can guarantee it a good, dry home, I'd let it go, otherwise it can sit there until the spring when I'll either be able to afford the parts needed, or I'll make a proper effort to sell.

 

I'd never forgive myself if that car got scrapped. Yes, I've never scrapped a car before but some cars I've sold have been scrapped a year or two later. Nothing as old as this Vauxhall though.

[SiC]

I made the mistake of googling the registration to my old CX.

 

 

This is how it looked when I sold it 5 years ago

 

 

This is how it looked 7 months ago

 

 

 

Fuck.

This is why I don't think I could ever sell my 1100 when I'm finished. If I did, I would have to be absolutely sure it'll be to someone who both would look after it and can look after it. I've spent too much of my time and effort already for it to be scrapped in a couple of years!

[D Spares & Tyres]

Keep it then. That's the only assurance you can have of it being saved.

 

However, the mercenary in me doesn't care as much if I have sold it for strong money. I only seem to care if it was sold cheaply to an enthusiast!

 

I'm in the other side of it too. I've scrapped a car that I bought off a shiter. He really liked that car but I ended up scrapping it as it was much rustier underneath than I expected. It was the sensible thing to do but I do feel a bit bad about it as I think that when someone sells a car on here they expect it to live. I did strip pretty much every part off it though, so it wasn't wasted.

[dean36014]

I feel guilty as I've scrapped two Citroen's I've bought off Bramz. In all fairness they were both totally rotten. Oh and the zx off beko! I'd next stop buying cheap Citroens off here! At least the parts kept numerous other vehicles on the road though.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

 

I made the mistake of googling the registration to my old CX.

 

 

This is how it looked when I sold it 5 years ago

 

 

This is how it looked 7 months ago

 

 

 

Fuck.

 

Just why? I don’t get why people scrap cars like that any more

 

Mainly because they think they can get more money in having it dismantled than by selling it whole? Having seen some other very sad photos of Woody's oul CX S1 at the scrapyard, I'm guessing that it was more rotten than its final owner had anticipated. It clearly had a fair few parts that other S1 owners wanted.

 

I tend to keep cars going for a very long time, longer than perhaps is economically sensible - that's why I've owned very few (still not into double figures) cars compared to some.

[Zelandeth]

So it was looking like we might have a nice weekend, had friends around yesterday, was a pretty decent day. Right up till about the evening when all hell broke loose in the rat cage.

 

Checking up on them (they're boys, so they do scrap now and then, it's just something they do), and one of them had blood pouring from their mouth.

 

Having a closer look, it seems that the lump he's had on his jaw for a while has suddenly grown in the last couple of days. I've been keeping an eye on it as rats are very prone to getting lumps and bumps, often benign but cancerous growths are always more of a worry as they get older. Two to three years is usually the life expectancy for a domestic rat, and our boys are just over two.

 

We took him in to the emergency vet today, and they've given him some antibiotics and anti inflammatory meds to keep him comfortable till we can get him in to our normal get tomorrow. X-ray will be the next step, which should show if it's an abscess which can be drained or if it's something more sinister. If it's bad news, we'll probably not have him women back up from the sedative for the X-ray.

 

For now though he's happy. Pictured here toasting himself in front of the fan heater after I gave him a bath.

 

 

What you can't tell from that picture is him chittering away as happy as can be.

 

The idea of a rat just chilling out in the open I realise is a bit odd to someone who's not used to them. It's astonishing how relaxed they can get (especially boys) if handled regularly and properly as they grow up.

 

By far the hardest part of having small fluffy pets like these is the brevity of their lives. We're thinking once these three have passed on we'll hold off getting any more, though we have thoughts about a second dog to keep our current one company.

 

He's a total derp by the way.

 

 

So hopefully I won't have to come back from the vet tomorrow with an empty basket.

[captain_70s]

Just why? I don’t get why people scrap cars like that any more

The amount it costs to keep them roadworthy is generally over and above what the people who buy them can afford to spend, especially if they aren't inclined and equipped to DIY. Eventually the car becomes an immobile problem which clogs up the driveway and after dealing with several messers on Gumtree and eBay you give up and sell the car to somebody who will reliably turn up and give you some money.

 

Both my cars are currently with their last owner (namely myself) I suspect. Neither are worthy of restoring, neither are worth any money and far better examples can be bought for restoring. My old 1850HL was only going to get bangered until I decided to simply abandon it in a field instead...

[Zelandeth]

Have to admit that I'll go to great lengths to try to ensure a car has the best chance at survival...hence having held on to the scraps of my first Invacar scraps waiting for someone to come forward to either use it for more spares or to try to restore it.

 

Took a couple of months but looks like we have a taker.

 

One that most irked us was a lovely XJ40 3.2 Sport that a friend sold.

 

I nearly bought it several times over, but eventually it was sold to someone else.

 

A few months later we found it had been scrapped by the buyer "because it was too greedy on fuel." And they couldn't be bothered to sell it.

[bramz7]

Yeah but remember if everyone did what (most of) we did, it wouldn't necessarily have the same appeal as it does.

 

I've scrapped 4 cars.

Xantia that was unbelievably knackered.

LHD Tipo that was disgusting inside and probably the most rancid car I've ever owned

And then two more which were terminally broken.

 

I've only had one car I've sold scrapped and that was (sadly) the Tempra that nobber bought off of me for £100 and then tried to pursue legal action (lol) because it had faults.

[Zelandeth]

Tempura is still on my bucket list...just because the digital dash in the top spec ones is utterly epic...

[bramz7]

My old Tipo had the digital dash and it was okay. Terrible in sunlight and had a habit to go off completely in the wet though!

 

Sadly the Tempra I sold was one of the last base spec diesel saloons left. It was pretty grim though.

[LightBulbFun]

Have to admit that I'll go to great lengths to try to ensure a car has the best chance at survival...hence having held on to the scraps of my first Invacar scraps waiting for someone to come forward to either use it for more spares or to try to restore it.

 

Took a couple of months but looks like we have a taker.

 

One that most irked us was a lovely XJ40 3.2 Sport that a friend sold.

 

I nearly bought it several times over, but eventually it was sold to someone else.

 

A few months later we found it had been scrapped by the buyer "because it was too greedy on fuel." And they couldn't be bothered to sell it.

 

this ^ I can see my self keeping a car going until the bitter end, as I come from a bus enthusiast background and reading the histories of a bus to see

 

"3/87    sold to PVS (Carlton): scrapped"

 

 

always saddened me and in general i dont like seeing older vehicles going to scrap

 

and whatever my first car may be I hope to keep it until i pop my clogs as I love the idea of having your first car till the end

 

and with any luck I hope that will be an invacar

[bramz7]

Yeah I aimed to keep my first car forever too but life gets in the way.

 

Romanticising about keeping a car forever is lovely in your head but it's not as easy in real life unless you have permanent free (I must stress that bit) storage.

[MorrisItalSLX]

I saved my Jag from the scrapper as that was where it was going if I did not buy it as the seller wanted rid of it fast, hence why it was so cheap.

 

It was (and still is) a low mileage, rust free, giffer owned and cherished car that was perfectly roadworthy and it had 7 months rego on it when I got it! But the scrapyard beckoned if I had not taken it away with me.

 

It nearly ended up in the scrap yard when its head gasket blew a few months back as it was suspected the block was knackered and I could not afford to fix it. Thankfully the block was fine and it just needed a new gasket, but it was very nearly scrapped by me, somthing I'm sure I would have regretted as it is a really sound and solid example.

[w00dy]

That CX is heartbreaking, I remember reading about 'jj' and his exploits with that car around Glasgow when I first joined here

 

I've still got my Royale saloon sat down the side of my parents house, slowly rusting away, minus its cylinder head. It needs a few hundred quid throwing at it and a bit of time to get it back on the road, neither of which I have. I'm concerned about it deteriorating, but more concerned about selling it to someone who breaks it up for spare parts, banger races or scraps it (or sells it on to someone who would do any of these things). I offered it back to the previous owner, who was pestering me to sell it back to him, but now he's umming and ahhing as he's just bought another car. If someone here can guarantee it a good, dry home, I'd let it go, otherwise it can sit there until the spring when I'll either be able to afford the parts needed, or I'll make a proper effort to sell.

 

I'd never forgive myself if that car got scrapped. Yes, I've never scrapped a car before but some cars I've sold have been scrapped a year or two later. Nothing as old as this Vauxhall though.

 

 

I remember the previous to me owner saying there was some history on here. He was a really nice chap and I'm sure he'd be sad about the end of it too.

 

 

Mainly because they think they can get more money in having it dismantled than by selling it whole? Having seen some other very sad photos of Woody's oul CX S1 at the scrapyard, I'm guessing that it was more rotten than its final owner had anticipated. It clearly had a fair few parts that other S1 owners wanted.

 

I tend to keep cars going for a very long time, longer than perhaps is economically sensible - that's why I've owned very few (still not into double figures) cars compared to some.

 

 

It was rough when I bought it and maintaining it as a student meant patching rather than the love it deserved.

 

I accept that cars get scrapped and I know what CX-basis suggests spares are worth, it's just sad that an early single-mirror Pallas in a great colour (which is about as perfect as CXs get in my view) lasted almost 40 years on our roads, only to not quite survive into true classic status.

 

I don't blame anyone for scrapping it. More sad than grumpy really.

[beko1987]

I feel guilty as I've scrapped two Citroen's I've bought off Bramz. In all fairness they were both totally rotten. Oh and the zx off beko! I'd next stop buying cheap Citroens off here! At least the parts kept numerous other vehicles on the road though.

That zx was way past the end of its life though, I wasn't surprised or that sad you broke it for spares! Saved me a fortune on getting the train to bubs!

[Guest Hooli]

I saved my Jag from the scrapper as that was where it was going if I did not buy it as the seller wanted rid of it fast, hence why it was so cheap.

 

It was (and still is) a low mileage, rust free, giffer owned and cherished car that was perfectly roadworthy and it had 7 months rego on it when I got it! But the scrapyard beckoned if I had not taken it away with me.

 

It nearly ended up in the scrap yard when its head gasket blew a few months back as it was suspected the block was knackered and I could not afford to fix it. Thankfully the block was fine and it just needed a new gasket, but it was very nearly scrapped by me, somthing I'm sure I would have regretted as it is a really sound and solid example.

 

See, Jags are worth saving unlike some other cars mentioned here.

[Aston Martin]

Gretna services. One of the best services due to KFC, you can always get parked and the toilets are clean.

 

Have fucked me, both Costa express machines replaced by a Starbucks express machine... There's a fucking Starbucks inside the building.

 

Cunts.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

.... due to KFC,...

 

AFAIK, KFC's not usually looked on as a plus.

[clayts450]

It is when you're pissed. See also 'kebabs'

[pandamonium]

Gretna services. One of the best services due to KFC, you can always get parked and the toilets are clean.

 

Have fucked me, both Costa express machines replaced by a Starbucks express machine... There's a fucking Starbucks inside the building.

 

Cunts.

Sacrilege! Costa > Starbucks anyday.

[loserone]

It is when you're pissed. See also 'kebabs'

How often do you visit motorway services when pissed?

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I wish this cunting cold would just FUCK OFF. After being given flu symptoms by the 'no side effects m8' flu jab, I've now contracted this bastard a week before an overseas holiday. Tremendous! Sweating like an over excited Ebayer with Dr Who memorabilia and Marina parts on the watch list, shaking like a shitting dog, coughing like a twat and unable to sleep for more than 30 mins at a time.

 

#Fuxakes

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Why anyone would want to live in London I will never know it is just an overpriced shithole.

 

^^ Oh don't I know this. I'd ask Mrs PBK why but I really can't be arsed any more. 

 

 

Then leave. Come to the North. Quiet 2 bed semi for £120k or less. Nice people, not cunts. 

 

London and its environs (50 miles in any direction) puzzles me. I mean, you actually pay more to live there? Bizarre. 

[Aston Martin]

AFAIK, KFC's not usually looked on as a plus.

KFC or Burger king? Exactly.

 

 

 

Sacrilege! Costa > Starbucks anyday.

I spend probably £100 a month on Costa. ????

[bramz7]

Without starting a never ending debate about coffee chains again, I'll admit that Nero and Costa are indeed better than Starbucks. I used to think the opposite but the roast they both use is superior to Starbucks, Costa just burn the ever living shit out of their coffee a bit too much....

 

Also FWIW, the vast majority of services are absolute toss.

[Tadhg Tiogar]

KFC or Burger king? Exactly.

 

I've avoided all junk food since my student days, mainly because the grease / oil / fats had catastrophic effects on my skin. Couldn't process it.

[Aston Martin]

I've avoided all junk food since my student days, mainly because the grease / oil / fats had catastrophic effects on my skin. Couldn't process it.

 

When I Park up I pay £2 and get £10 voucher for food, so I get as much as I can for 'free'