Chris2cv's Fleet - Farewell to the Clio 14/10/24

[Chris2cv]

Haven't done an update for ages! 

Not a lot has changed really. The Stepway is a still racing about everyday, and I seem to spend half my life in it. 

The Clio has barely moved. Last time I visited, a wiper was knackered, so I changed that, and a key battery. 2 five minute jobs and the car was good to go again. I just do not have time to use it. Dad is getting frustrated with it sitting at their house and I noticed last night that he is advertising it for sale! I'm not worried, he can have any money that he gets for it, and I'll give him the paperwork. It's sad, because it's a great little car, but I can't use it for work any more and there just aren't enough hours in the day to get down there. Apparently our local garage reckoned it was worth £1500 which seems more than a tad ambitious, but We buy any car offered about £400 which is an insult really. Somewhere in the middle would be good.

No change with the moped.

Finally, some progress! After more than 18 months, the 2cv is finally road legal again! The last MOT reported that the shock absorbers were worn out (well 3 of them, but there isn't much point changing 3 of them) so I ordered a new set and then tried to sort out getting them fitted. I didn't think that it would be complicated, but having investigated the process, it seemed a bit beyond me, A friend is a mechanic and he offered to help, but it's a bit complicated as the car lives with my parents, 70 miles away, so I needed a day when we were both off work. Time slipped away. 

Dad suggested using their local garage, which is classic friendly, but as with most garages normally books Saturdays (the only day that I can get there) well in advance, and I am normally also booked up well in advance too. Again, time slipped away.

I'd start the car when I got down there, but couldn't really move it, as it's behind 2 or 3 other cars and a trailer, and I couldn't take it on the road anyway. I worried each time what it's long rest was doing to it.

Eventually Dad offered to book it in, and take it there - following a gear change tutorial. I went down and cleaned and checked the car over, and it went in a week or two later.

And failed! 

*The fog light didn't work. Well it did when I tested it, but it has always been crap. The original packed up years ago, and it's currently one from my Dad's Marina! It works when it wants to. I have had it checked many times, the wiring, switch and bulb are all fine, it's just old. I barely use it in the sun, so I'm not really bothered about fog!

* The handbrake needs adjusting. It's done about 200 miles since they did the brakes, admittedly a few years ago. 

Most annoyingly

* The shock absorbers are knackered. What, the shock absorbers that were on the passenger seat? The ones that it was booked in for you to fit before doing the MOT? Those shock absorbers? "Oh!".

So, it's sorted now, surprisingly cheaply too. Now I just need time to use it!

In connected, lack of time news, it's my engagement party tonight! It's worth having no time to have this phenomenal woman in my life. 

 

 

 

 

[brownnova]

Great news on both the engagement and the 2CV!

2CVs love to be used! So get out there and use it! 

[Chris2cv]

On Sunday, I dug the 2cv out for only its second trip on the road (apart from my Dad  taking it for the MOT) in 21 months. I took it for a quick run around the local area to test it out, and was rather glad that I did, as the rear brakes were binding, making a bit of a racket. They freed up after maybe 3 miles and all seemed fine. I then took my brother for a spin in it, and then out yet again with my Fiancee! Her first trip in the car!

All went well, we had a nice ride around local villages (roof down, obviously) then later a trip around the Thanet coast. The drivers mirror will not still, despite the rebuild detailed a few pages back, but I think that we can safely assume that it is down to my terrible workmanship rather than the product used.  My brother has taken the roof crossbar home to renovate as it was surprisingly rusty. To be fair, it looked tatty a few years back (read sometime in the last 20 years) so I gave it a quick coat of Hammerite. My brother works in a car bodyshop, so will rub it down and repaint it properly. Not bad for shakedown faults after it's long hibernation. I probably did 60 miles.  

In Clio news, I took that for a ride too. It's still a great little car. It drove faultlessly, nipping along on a little trip around the coast.  Sadly, I know that I can't keep it. I just don't have time to use it, so Dad made a for sale sign, my brother gave it a wash and it will hopefully see some interest. 

Still no change with the moped, but that's not bad for a few days work.

[Chris2cv]

Sad news today.  I've had to sell the Clio! 

I didn't really want to.  It's still a great little car. It recently sailed through it's mot with just a track rod end needing replacement. It still drives really well and I would happily have kept it forever.  

But

ULEZ happened. I can't justify paying that every day , so it moved to live with my parents.  When I was single, I got down there at least monthly and it was getting some use. Dad wanted a car for the dump runs and it enjoyed semi retired life.  But, I'm not single anymore!  While that is a wonderful thing,  I have to be practical . I am just not getting to use the car, she hates it anyway , and my parents wanted it gone. 

I resisted for a while.  I've owned it for almost exactly 22 years, it's entire life and nearly half of mine! But Dad talked to the guy at the garage, who wanted it for his son.  I'm not thrilled with the price, but it's more than double what we buy any car offered. 

So, it's gone. It's stupid feeling sad about a car, especially knowing that it needed a battery, a good service,  probably glow plugs and was on borrowed time,  but it was MY car. 

I've also got to get rid of the moped. Less sad about that and just want it gone really.  It's weird, but the mopeds were always just transport really,  but the cars meant so much more. 

[jim89]

16 minutes ago, Chris2cv said:

Sad news today.  I've had to sell the Clio! 

I didn't really want to.  It's still a great little car. It recently sailed through it's mot with just a track rod end needing replacement. It still drives really well and I would happily have kept it forever.  

But

ULEZ happened. I can't justify paying that every day , so it moved to live with my parents.  When I was single, I got down there at least monthly and it was getting some use. Dad wanted a car for the dump runs and it enjoyed semi retired life.  But, I'm not single anymore!  While that is a wonderful thing,  I have to be practical . I am just not getting to use the car, she hates it anyway , and my parents wanted it gone. 

I resisted for a while.  I've owned it for almost exactly 22 years, it's entire life and nearly half of mine! But Dad talked to the guy at the garage, who wanted it for his son.  I'm not thrilled with the price, but it's more than double what we buy any car offered. 

So, it's gone. It's stupid feeling sad about a car, especially knowing that it needed a battery, a good service,  probably glow plugs and was on borrowed time,  but it was MY car. 

I've also got to get rid of the moped. Less sad about that and just want it gone really.  It's weird, but the mopeds were always just transport really,  but the cars meant so much more. 

Sounds like the new broom is sweeping clean 😉😉🎉

[Chris2cv]

To a degree. A lot has changed since i met Mrs2cv. We spend as much time as possible together, we have a flat and life is very different.  But it's not been her decision to get rid of the car.  Mum and Dad are downsizing and I'm just not using the cars enough.

  If this was a year or so down the line, in our own house,  probably away from London,  I probably wouldn't have sold it, but I can't justify all the costs when I'm barely using it. The battery is knackered because it rarely moves. 

As long as nobody tries to make me get rid of the 2cv!

[loserone]

Sounds like a success story to me.  You are presumably getting laid and you get rid of two appliances and get to keep the interesting car.  

 

Just make sure to use the 2cv more!