End of year Tat Accounts.

[Schaefft]

1 hour ago, Dyslexic Viking said:

 

2017 Hyundai i10 1,0 Eco great car for its use and extremely low fuel consumption but out of place on bad unpaved roads 

Tell that the rental car company in Greece that gave us an i10 which we then took down a trail to our Airbnb every morning/evening that was more moon surface than road. It didn't have much suspension left even before we got it. That thing has seen more offroading than any Jeep in its life.

As last year, no further purchases planned but you never know! It's way too early to call it a year!

[Zelandeth]

These will be the scores on the doors for 2025 barring lottery win nonsense.

 

OUT.

[] 1975 Rover P6 3500.

Stayed on the forum.

[] 1988 Renault 25 Monaco.

Well it's still physically here, but has been sold to another forum member, just waiting for diaries to align to arrange collection.

 

IN.

[] 1962 Rover P4 110.

It was pretty inevitable another P4 would grace my driveway given how big an impression the last one made.  This one needs some fettling as it's not been in regular use in a long time, but critically seems to be largely rust free.  Pretty much everything else is a secondary concern with these.

 

NON MOVERS.

[] 2007 Volvo V70 SE D5.

Continuing to be practical transport that the entire family are happy warbling around in.  

[] 1984 Trabant 601S.

Has had probably three times it's value spent on it over the last year, but it's probably got the largest grin per mile factor of anything I've owned so isn't going anywhere.  Well it goes plenty of places actually - it's generally my go to car for local journeys.

I'm never going to make it pretty though.

Once the P4 is properly sorted these two will share probably 90% of my driving.

[] 1973 AC Model 70.

Sadly barely moved this year, primarily because it's such a chore getting in/out of the garage.  Too much stuff I need to move and automotive Tetris that's a swine as on street parking around here has got much worse.

[] 1985 Sinclair C5.

Literally hasn't been out this year.  Just too many things competing for my time.

 

Once the Renault leaves, for the first time in as long as I can remember I'll actually have everything parked on either the driveway proper or in the garage.  That'll be quite an achievement it feels like.  Sure the neighbours will appreciate it too.

[Rust Collector]

This thread reminds me both of how much I've done, and how little I've achieved.

This years goal was to reduce numbers, so let's see how I got on with that.

Out:

The XM was roffled off and landed with @rob88h. Despite all the pain in getting it useable*, I really miss it.

In:

My dad gave me his old E320; this was meant to be a quick fix, MOT and sell - it has become much more drawn out due to a lost log book, which is a bit annoying. It's sat waiting to go in for a ticket once the V5 lands.

Next up is my brother's Celica. He's decided that he doesn't really want to pursue his interest in cars much further, and this has been left up at the stables with my cars, awaiting transfer to my yard. Whilst he's suggested that I can take it and do as I please with it, I think he would get a lot of enjoyment out of it once running and so I'll keep it to one side until I have time to sort the welding it needs and get it good enough to go through a ticket. Once done, I'll hand it back to him. Possibly a job for 2026, but more likely 2027+ at this rate.

Then we have this lovely thing, which was free to a good home from @DaveDorson. I've been cracking on with the work on this, and it is reminiscent of the XM project. I am continuing to try my best to make sure that it ends up back on the road, despite, uh, some adversity I've been encountering with it in the past few days.

Continuing the 'free to a good home' them, @RoadworkUK kindly let me take on Donkey. I'm incredibly excited at the prospect of daily driving a base spec 306, and can't wait to get some work done on this. The Alfa and Merc need to depart first though.

Non-movers:

I fixed the EPB on the Disco this year, by cobbling together one ok unit out of the old knackered one and the cheapest second-hand original unit I could get. It has been providing reliable service since, despite being an incredibly ropey example of the breed.

My partner is still running our mk2 Clio, the 1.5 DCi is still chugging away and giving 60 odd mpg without any real expense required. She does need something bigger now, and so a 2026 goal is to get a slightly bigger family car. I doubt this will get sold though, more likely thrown in the yard as a backup - they seem to be worth fuck all, and it's been in the family long enough that I'd probably miss it if it was gone, more than the few hundred quid I'd get for it at least.

The Proton MPi is still here. I've done loads of work to it, sorting out the shagged roof liner, holes in the roof, some wiring problems, jammed heater cables etc., I just haven't painted the roof or re-sealed the sunroof. It's been put to one side, and I will probably resume work once I have a bit more time/money/better weather at my disposal. I could have done less to it and got it sold, but with a leaky roof and useless heater I feel it wouldn't have been long for this world if I had of punted it out by doing the bare minimum. I sometimes question my sanity.

Our E320 CDi; 'the front fell off'. I didn't put it in for MOT after the radiator carriage fell off for the millionth time. I need to strip the front end, repair it properly, and put the springs off of a lower spec model on it to increase the ride height.

The Pontiac. This needs the sill ends welding and some other remedial work. Because it's not something I want to sell, it gets put off constantly. It still runs and drives, although one of the HT leads or coil packs is sparking externally when I ran it the other day. My partner says I need to fix it ready for our trip to Italy and then Croatia in July next year. I love the idea, but I don't know how I'll find the time.

The LS430. I replaced the vacuum lines on the inlet manifold, and ever since it's not been the same. I enjoyed driving this across Europe, and should have probably parted ways with it afterwards. It's out of test, and sat waiting some love. It would be at the yard already, but it's too bloody big for the trailer.

The ZX estate. I have accidentally turned this into a bran find. I did finally rebuild most of the rear beam though, and in record time! I think it's only been about 2 years since I took it off...

The Lada is currently here on the driveway. The rot was probably at the point where it was ready to be scrapped, but I'm a fucking idiot so I cut out the majority of it. I haven't put anything back in, because again it's not something I was planning to sell and time is money. Once I sell some of things I am not attached to then I should be able to come back to it.

The Audi 100 is behind the stables where I left it. It has the dreaded KE Jet fuel injection, and I got it to a point where it starts and can be ragged around the farm. Everyone hates it because it stinks and it is noisy. I love it, but haven't touched it since.

The ZAZ 968 is pretty much in the same state it arrived in. I did remove the electronic ignition and refit the original kit, but it still wouldn't spark. I've tracked down a wiring diagram, and promptly filed it under I'll do it at some point. It's mostly staying around because there is space to keep it, and I can't imagine there are any other examples I could afford.

This BX 1.7td is still up at the stables. I bought it because the other one I have was taking to long to sort, and I wanted to have a drive of one. I drove this, it broke, I fixed it, and then it failed the MOT. I now have two of these estates which are taking ages to sort. Winning.

Here's the other one for completeness. It runs beautifully but it pretty rotten in all the usual spots for a BX (i.e. everywhere). It needs to go to the yard, as it's in my way at home. A snapped clutch cable and burst hydraulic line stand between me and my dream of achieving that.

The Volvo 940. These are great cars, but this was a pretty poor example. The PO apparently enjoyed sliding it, as is evidenced by the amount of bent alloys it came with, and the damage to one of the outriggers. It also has the world's shittest straight through exhaust. It does deserve saving, just not today.

Next up is another BX estate. I picked this up for free locally, after seeing a months old advert for it. The plan was to strip it for parts I needed, and sell the rest. It's the most rotten car I've seen in my life. I've kept it out of spite, as when I offered it for breaking in BX groups I was berated for entertaining the idea of splitting up the oldest example of a phase 2 estate known to mankind - a car so rare and important, no fucker had wanted it for free. I drove it round the farm until a rat ate an HT lead. It becomes safety MOT exempt next year, at which point I will evict the mice from the carburettor.

This is my partner's Legacy Outback H6. The top has fallen off the bottom. It's only kept around so that I don't feel compelled to buy another. I think I've had about 7 legacies in a row now, and this new tactic has stopped that number climbing. I don't know why I keep replacing them, as I can't think of a single one that didn't cause some form of heartbreak.

If you hadn't noticed, I have a dangerous mix of sentimentality and space. so here's a Prelude I've owned since I was 21. I went through a pattern of recommissioning it once every few years, then the windscreen exploded and the value of even shit examples went up. It's sat in a corner until such a point that I'm ready to assess my life choices.

My V6 Shogun Sport still lives up at the farm. Last winter I got it stuck in the mud, and embarrassingly forgot about it for long enough that the ground was dry by the time I remembered - it drove right out. It's going up the yard, and will probably get used for pay-and-play sessions at Slindon next year, as my son is old enough to enjoy that now.

The Favorit is still about. Like many things, it needs welding. I hate welding, so it's sat until such time that I stop sulking. It's on the list to be sold once finished, despite the fact that I miss using it as my daily - there's something pleasing about how basic these are.

The Zastava/Yugo is also still knocking around. I did a lot of work on this, got it working and welded up, only to find it is really down on compression on one cylinder. I put it aside and didn't get back to it, as at the time I thought I was keeping it. Now I'm expecting to sell it once done, so keep an eye out for it in my project thread in 2026, as it should be fun to pull the engine apart on it.

The V8 E430 is still sat waiting for some love. Probably should have parted ways with it, but it only owes me about £250 so I'm not exactly feeling in distress. The gearbox went bang, I bought another gearbox, and then that was kind of it. I need to pull my finger out, as it was a really nice car when it was running. I'm pretty sure I won't get another V8 for the same money ever again.

The SLK320. Even by my relaxed standards, I'm not sure why I haven't weighed this in. I put a lot of work into it, but because the starter on these is on the wrong* side, the donor engine and starter needed a bit of modifying. I got it wrong the first time, and didn't check my work before fitting. Removal is a bastard, leaving it in a corner was much easier.

Last, and the most far gone, is my beloved Insight. After years of faithful service and happy memories, I crashed it into the car in front of me. People ask silly money for replacement parts, so it's sat aside until a breaker comes up at the right time.

 

So, yeah. Failed to meet my goal of getting things thinned down this year. See you again next year, when this list will definitely* be smaller!

[High Jetter]

OMG, a stunning collection, some I missed before.

[IronStar]

Nothing ever really moves out at chateaux Star, unless it’s a parts car. With that in mind, let’s do something is happening with the car X instead…

In (in theory, paid, but not picked up yet)

Rover 45 1.4

a scrapyard save. It was destined to become coke cans, but I took a pity and now I have one more car that I don’t necessarily need. Needs tyres, belts, and general love.

In and out:
Yugo Koral In L

 

Dragged out of scrapyard to part out. Now Zanussi. Sorry. 

In, hopefully out soon: 
Fiat Palio Weekend

Engine donor for 1.6 16v Yugo. Engine is out, currently awaiting parting out and then it’s away to become a Zanussi as well. 

Now back in action:

Fiat Bravo 1.6  
Last year’s scrapyard save. It was sitting for years, then sitting with me for another year waiting for paperwork to clear. Now back in action, and pushed into almost daily service. Absolutely lovely car!

Alfa 155 1.8 TS
Finally back home, after sitting in a shop for almost a year. Still not done-done, still needs a respray, but it can at least be driven now and is road legal.

 

Moved from where it was last year:

Saxo VTR

Sitting in front of the bodyshop. Last time it was started, it blew a head gasket for good measure, so it’s now rotten, with bodykit that’s fallen off, with broken engine. 🤦‍♂️

Yugo-to-be-16v

Fully stripped, got all the bits I need. Awaiting welding.

Citroen BX Break

Lost its storage, as the friend whose garage it was sitting in front of closed the shop. Now being parked in a parking lot I’m paying for awaiting it’s turn in the bodyshop (to my wallet’s great annoyance)

Perpetually broken ungrateful bastard award

Mini 
It was working. Then it died. Then it was mended. Then it blew the head gasket again. Won a trophy days before blowing up again. Now sitting in Mini specialist’s drive, with neither him or me having any capacity left for its shenanigans right now. Fuck you. Sincerely, everyone involved in this tragedy.

Never ending project award:

Yugo Cabrio
Still not finished, but tantalizingly close. It starts, runs, mostly keeps the fluids in, but it’s not back together yet. Fighting us every step of the way, as doing anything to it requires doing it at least 5 times as parts are godawful, and the supply of good ones is long gone.

Around, being driven:

Alfa 159
The best, most dependable car I have. Get anywhere you’re headed in comfort and style. Needs some paint thrown at it and will be due for belts in few thousand kilometers.

Alfa 156
It was rough, then went on a long-term loan. Now it’s very rough, and I’m gathering bits to get it fixed. Will need a serious date with sparkling stick. 

Peugeot 307CC
Weather was absolutely psychotic this year, so I didn’t get to enjoy this all that much. Threw way too much money at it this year to keep it nice, and I’m left with mechanically great, but cosmetically challenged 307CC. Missus loves it though 

Florida 
Was also on a long term loan, where it lost its already broken grille. As rusty as on the day I got it, but mechanically spot on, save for the torn CV boot that happened somewhere along the line. I should probably drive this more often

Still around, but didn’t turn a wheel:

Mazda 626 
Yugo 1.3 
BMW E21 
(That other) BX Break (that will probably be a donor for the other one)
Mk1 Golf 
VW Beetle

Can’t be bothered to find pics for these, sorry.

I think that’s all for this year, unless we have some sudden changes at the end of the year

[warren t claim]

I was only 40 when I started this thread!

[High Jetter]

55  now, then? Youngster! 😀

[Snipes]

 

.

[Dyslexic Viking]

8 hours ago, Schaefft said:

Tell that the rental car company in Greece that gave us an i10 which we then took down a trail to our Airbnb every morning/evening that was more moon surface than road. It didn't have much suspension left even before we got it. That thing has seen more offroading than any Jeep in its life.

 

Lack of ground clearance was a problem but the biggest problem was that it was almost impossible to hill start on gravel, there was something about the gearing and the engine's lack of torque that made it terrible. I have never experienced a car that bad.

[DaveDorson]

Reminded me, I need to send on that paperwork for the alfa!  I'll do that over the weekend, as I've actually got some time off work.

 

[wesacosa]

still amazed when I see your fleet listed out, @Rust Collector something for everyone!

I'd not seen the Celica before though. Oof that's cool

 

[RoadworkUK]

10 hours ago, Rust Collector said:

So, yeah. Failed to meet my goal of getting things thinned down this year. See you again next year, when this list will definitely* be smaller!

I think you have pretty much every wavelength in the automotive spectrum covered. Full marks, no notes.

[barefoot]

On 23/12/2024 at 16:18, barefoot said:

I am dull and still own the  same five cars, the most recent of which was bought in 2019. 

I have nothing to contribute to this thread.

[Volksy]

42 minutes ago, barefoot said:

I have nothing to contribute to this thread.

Same here.

S Class is going to need some work this year though. 

I need to trace water ingress into the passenger footwell, which will involve taking off the passenger wing. The front guide rod bushings are completely shot which potentially can be a horror of a job. 

[Rust Collector]

1 hour ago, RoadworkUK said:

I think you have pretty much every wavelength in the automotive spectrum covered. Full marks, no notes.

There’s just one category of car which constantly eludes me; ones that work! 😅

[davehedgehog31]

In and out:
 

This fetching Audi A4 came to me from @Split_Pin, it was here an unexpectedly short time due to a French purchase and a strict "one in, one out" policy at the time. This was a nice car, very refined for being diesel and a cabrio. Believe still with @JohnK

This was also an in and out, again due to a policy of one in, one out. Arrived from @wesacosa. I absolutely loved driving this car, it was extraordinarily comfortable. I kind of knew it getting into it, but parts availability was sadly my main frustration, there were a few little bits here and there that I'd have liked to improve but you just cannot get parts. I don't get as much time to dedicate to cars as I'd like so having to scour for parts from overseas, refurbish things isn't really that viable.

In as of 1/1/205 but now outs:

The Cee'd went to WBAC. This was a car of sentimental value to me, but that was about the only thing keeping it on fleet, I really didn't rate it so it had to go. Was in a very awkward price range to sell privately so it went to WBAC in August, near bit their hand off at the price offered and noticed a dealer still hawking it just last month. Absolute automotive porridge, acceptable in most areas but absolutely nothing more.

The Zoe was replaced by the British* EV of distinction below so was sold to @Tickman. This was my first foray into electric car ownership and it was absolutely great, there was much I preferred about it to the MG in truth, particularly the colour. Had it for a year and covered about 12,000 miles I think. 

From here on it's the current fleet, staring with the new arrivals:

Replaced the aforementioned Zoe. Provides more space, bigger range and rapid charging, loses pre-heating and smollness. Bought this privately with 13k on the clock and it was pretty ridiculous value for money really, covered big miles early on, hasn't seen quite as much use in winter. Managed a trip to the continent with five people and a boot piled to the roof with luggage, was absolutely no bother. Really rate it, good car.

The Boxster arrived from @straightSix, I've always wanted one of these but things haven't quite aligned in the past. It's class, managed to enjoy the very tail end of summer with it and have lightly improved it in the meantime. Sadly it's now in the lockup for winter, I always hate doing that but I want to keep the salt off it and we'll only get a handful of days between now and March where there would be any driving enjoyment had. 

The Mini came in from @lotus3512 last month. It was sold with a power steering fault, I replaced the pump and touch wood, it's been fine since. I've since made a cheap car not so cheap by putting Goodyear all season tyres and a fancy stereo in it. I've been using this a lot more than expected, it's ticking the "a wee bit engaging to drive" box while the Boxster is in hibernation.

And now the non-movers:

Only two cars have survived 2025:

The diesel 207 of win has seen a fair bit of usage. Buttons to insure, £35 a year to tax, ludicrous on fuel and with it's tasteful upgrades it starts, stops and goes very well. It's been on loan with @sdkrc for a few months while he sorts out his wilted leaf where it is providing diligent service.  

The GS450h is the longest serving on fleet, I think I've incredibly had this three years now. This is a lovely car, comfy, rapid, economical and has been pretty much faultlessly reliable, I just don't use it much these days though... I think it covered about 3k between the last two MOTs and it's well on track for less this term. I should really sell it but I don't want to... The answer as always is to sell something else and use this.

[Tommyboy12]

Another busy year:

IN

The Panda arrived in June. I enjoyed that over the summer

The Aggro VDP arrived on a low loader but it's been used about the area once I rectified it's flat suspension. Reverse gear is just about existent.

The latest acquisition is my Austin 7 box saloon which is currently living in a garage awaiting some time on it

OUT

First out was the Reliant Rialto after doing the NC500 in it in August. I really enjoyed that road trip

The Panda went a week ago. I enjoyed it but I did what I intended which was use it, improve it, MOT it.

NON-MOVERS

The daily Porker has managed to stick around. Might move this on next year as I fancy a fast estate.

The turbo Mini has seen some occasional use this year

My white Mini did several road trips this year. This was Cornwall in the Spring

My project Mini is still a project... But I am getting closer!

Honourable mention to my very tolerant fiancées car. This thing is a cockroach with 178,000 miles and wants for nothing. It has participated in multiple capers this year. I treated it to a headlight polish in the summer so I could actually use the headlights.

[Datsuncog]

2025 has been a slightly jollier year over at Casa DC, since there were no distress purchases or dramatic exits from the driveway on the back of a beavertail.

In:

1999 Toyota Avensis 2.0 GLX estate:

MrsDC's new toy - a one-owner pre-VVTi example of the first generation T22 Avensis, purchased from a Bradford-based dealer in May and driven back via the ferry in a mildly risky endeavour.

With new tyres and battery fitted and the belts done, it's been a lovely smooth drive for the past six months. About 2k miles added, and the aircon even works!

 

Also in: a c.1981 Iron Horse Dirt Burner BMX

A toy for me - found abandoned down on some playing fields by the railway station, I walked past it for several weeks before coming back with the car and taking it home. 

Needed a bit of work to make good, but now doing sterling service as a beater to get me from the park and ride into the city centre,

Out:

Nothing really - other than MrsDC's old Giant DX hybrid road bike which she gave up using, and was collected by a very nice buyer from Scotland who took it back to Stranraer.

 

Non-Movers:

2000 Toyota Corolla 1.3 Liftback:

After the exhaust fell off in January (in traffic), it was treated to a new stainless steel centre section and I rebuilt the front brakes to stop the annoying squeal on cornering (sticky slider pins). It failed its MOT on a small rust patch in front of the nearside rear wheel, which was properly cut out and repaired by a tremendous local welder.

Brilliant little car; it hasn't had a lot of use in the past few months though. Definitely overdue for belts (I've a Gates kit with waterpump etc ready to go, but have been prioritising the bathroom rebuild on the weekends) and the clutch is really starting to noticeably slip now, so there'll be work needed in the new year. The lacquer peel is also reaching comedic proportions, so a bit of a rub down and a puff of clear coat wouldn't go amiss. I love it a lot, though - and it's going nowhere for now.

2005 Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVTi:

MrsDC's owned-from-new hack, which celebrated its 20th birthday in August. This had been giving us some worries over the past few years after repeated MOT fails and just about scraping through retests due to back brake imbalance issues, even after taking it to garages for fettling. Doubts about its future viability gave rise to the Avensis purchase.

However, since MrsDC's really attached to this little cockroach, she rebuilt the rear braking system herself with new drums, shoes, adjustors, cylinders and cables and then carried out a complex calibration process to equalise everything, as recommended by a fellow Toyota fan she happened to be speaking to.

Success! The Yaris flew through its MOT in October with nearly perfect balance on the handbrake and service brake, to our great relief.

So it's been getting some proper use again, and there's a bit of noise from one of the rear hubs so we'll pull that off and replace it when it's a bit less chilly out.

Overall - good times, and for now the DC Y2K Toyota Fleet remains on the correct side of the recycling yard's fence.

[Split_Pin]

10 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

2025 has been a slightly jollier year over at Casa DC, since there were no distress purchases or dramatic exits from the driveway.

In:

1999 Toyota Avensis 2.0 GLX estate:

MrsDC's new toy - a one-owner pre-VVTi example of the first generation T22 Avensis, purchased from a Bradford-based dealer in May and driven back via the ferry in a mildly risky endeavour.

With new tyres and battery fitted and the belts done, it's been a lovely smooth drive for the past six months. About 2k miles added, and the aircon even works!

 

Also in: a c.1981 Iron Horse Dirt Burner BMX

A toy for me - found abandoned down on some playing fields by the railway station, I walked past it for several weeks before coming back with the car and taking it home. 

Needed a bit of work to make good, but now doing sterling service as a beater to get me from the park and ride into the city centre,

Out:

Nothing really - other than MrsDC's old Giant DX hybrid road bike which she gave up using, and was collected by a buyer from Scotland who took it back to Stranraer.
 

Non-Movers:

2000 Toyota Corolla 1.3 Liftback:

After the exhaust fell off in January (in traffic), it was treated to a new stainless steel centre section and I rebuilt the front brakes to stop the annoying squeal on cornering (sticky slider pins). It failed its MOT on a small rust patch in front of the nearside rear wheel, which was properly cut out and repaired by a tremendous local welder.

Brilliant little car; it hasn't had a lot of use in the past few months though. Definitely overdue for belts (I've a Gates kit with waterpump etc ready to go, but have been prioritising the bathroom rebuild on the weekends) and the clutch is really starting to noticeably slip now, so there'll be work needed in the new year. The lacquer peel is also reaching comedic proportions now, so a bit of a rub down and a puff of clear coat wouldn't go amiss. I love it a lot, though - and it's going nowhere for now.

2005 Toyota Yaris 1.0 VVTi:

MrsDC's owned-from-new hack, which celebrated its 20th birthday in August. This had been giving us some worries over the past few years after repeated MOT fails and just about scraping through retests due to back brake imbalance issues, even after taking it to garages for fettling. Doubts about its future viability gave rise to the Avensis purchase.

However, since MrsDC's really attached to this little cockroach, she rebuilt the rear braking system herself with new drums, shoes, adjustors, cylinders and cables and then carried out a complex calibration process to equalise everything, as recommended by a fellow Toyota fan she happened to be speaking to.

Success! The Yaris flew through its MOT in October with nearly perfect balance on the handbrake and service brake, to our great relief.

So it's been getting some proper use again, and there's a bit of noise from one of the rear hubs so we'll pull that off and replace it when it's a bit less chilly out.

Overall - good times, and for now the DC Toyota Fleet remains on the correct side of the recycling yard's fence.

Brilliant find on the BMX!

[Markeh]

Actual updates this year!

Out:

My J12 Qashqai, "Zebedee" - to be honest, a bit of a Friday afternoon car, had a fair few issues, and given the hassle I had with it I kind of lost the love for it (me punting it into the back of a Fiat 500 never helped) - departed on thirtysomething k.

In:

T33 X-Trail ePower, "Reggie" - I frigging love this. It just handles everything I can throw at it with aplomb - it's fantastic for holidays, IT collections, and just generally buggering about. On about 7k now.

Technically in and out?

The 'Emergency Loo' ex-YAS ex-blood bikes Octavia Scout I owned for 48 hours back in late 2022 (pictured then). The chap I sold it to wanted shot at the start of this year, and I did technically pay for the car, however sadly the fuel system shat itself the day before I was due to pick it up, so I was refunded and it was scrapped. A shame, but it had a good run and nearly made 300k.

Every year I keep saying I'm going to get something as a second car and every time I either don't, or get something and immediately decide to sell it on, so I'm not going to say it this year, we'll just see if anything happens.

[MrGTI6]

2025 has been another fairly quiet year.

Started the year with 3. Firstly the Triumph Sprint ST 955i. I've had it 2½ years now. It doesn't get an awful lot of use, particularly at this time of year, but it's a great thing to have. 

 

Also still here is the boring-but-dependable Peugeot 308. 160k+ on the clock and counting. A thoroughly competent all-rounder, but extremely dull. I'd like to replace it with some kind of hot hatch in 2026, but I probably said exactly the same thing 12 months ago...

 

This Mini Cooper was also carried over from 2024. A superb little car but surplus to requirements, so sold it in February.

 

In August, I ended up acquiring @sharley17194's gem of a Nissan Primera. Definitely one of my more unusual collection capers due to the situation the car had found itself in, but absolutely worth it to save a fantastic example of a now very rare car. It's now enjoying life in Devon with @Marm Toastsmith.

 

Which is when I ended up with the Smart Forfour. Quirky and practical, but not really my cup of tea. Enjoyed buzzing around in it for a few weeks though, and would love to try out the Brabus version. It was bought by @reductiongear, but I think he has now sold it.

 

In October I rather unexpectedly ended up buying this Volvo V40 Cross Country. A friend put me in touch with the owner who had given up driving. Only 19k on the clock when I got it and serviced every year by Volvo. Flew through its MOT on Monday with no advisories. It's an unbelievably nice car, and as a result I feel guilty about using it too much. Which misses the point of having it really, hence why it's in the process of being sold. I'll be sad to see it go.

 

I'm posting this now in the hope that I don't buy anything else in 2025! Lots of cheap motorbikes up for sale at this time of year; must resist!

[JMotor]

Oot!

This was NOT a good purchase. Turns out it was REALLY rusty too. Sold it for what I paid for it. Glad it's gone.

IN!

 

WBOD V70. It's fighting me a wee bit. This will likely stay until a expensive issue pops up or won't pass another MOT. 

STAYING.

No choice. Still a chunk of welding to finish and other bits and bob's to sort. It'll maybe stay another year.

Fun little car. Sadly don't drive it much at all now. I'll look to selling this car soon. Well have a proper push at it. Still some tidy up jobs to get on with.

Three years with this one. Decided it's staying off the road for a while. V70 will do the daily driving once it's MOT'd. Want to sort the paint and do more work on it.

"I'll fix it up someday, I promise!"

[wesacosa]

46 minutes ago, Datsuncog said:

Also in: a c.1981 Iron Horse Dirt Burner BMX

 

blimey that brings back some memories, I had a black Iron Horse Dirt Burner with yellow mag wheels when I was about 8 or 9 back in the mid 80s. 

[MAF260]

Very little movement for me this year.

Non-movers:

Daily/truck. Does everything well.

 

Mrs' daily

 

I love this car and have made lots of upgrades and improvements this year. More to come.

 

Out

Thought it was a keeper. Got bored after a few years.

 

In

Hot off the press, collected this morning.

[Datsuncog]

27 minutes ago, wesacosa said:

blimey that brings back some memories, I had a black Iron Horse Dirt Burner with yellow mag wheels when I was about 8 or 9 back in the mid 80s. 

Excellent!

There's a longer thread with more pics over on the Pushbike Shite thread, plus my own crappy research on the bike brand in question.

Haven't encountered anyone who owned one of these at the time - what did you think of yours?

[Weird Car]

Started the year with

This

 

This 

 

And this 

 

Sold the Daimler Hearse to buy this Daimler saloon

 

Then not long after sold the Merc to buy this G reg Eunos that I drove to Germany in the summer 

Then sold in August ironically to a classic car dealer in Germany

 

Sold the Conquest to help fund that trip

Then come August I bought this VDP 1500 which I sold a month or so later

 

Then Swapped my Beetle for this Buick in September

 

 

 

A few weeks later i bought this Hyundai i40

 

Which I quickly tired of then bought this Volvo to replace it 

 

 

I spoke too soon and have just bought this 1936 Austin 7 Ruby 

 

 

So current 3 not including my Ford Transit company minibus 

 

1972 Volvo 145

1959 Buick Electra

1936 Austin 7

A pretty quiet year for me really 

Edited December 9, 2025 by Weird Car
New car bought

[grogee]

Some activity, still ongoing.

Non movers:

MG Maestro. Still here, still being slowly fettled, and recently pressed into service during December as a stop-gap

while I await collection of…

Incoming:

Ford Mondeo. The urge to buy something that ticks all these boxes became too strong: automatic, diesel, estate, bumwarmers. @Con2K had something that fit the bill, he seems to move in Mondeo Tit X Sport circles and knows his onions.

That led to…

Outgoing:

Toyota Avensis. Farewell, trusty steed. May your lacquer continue to peel, and your fuel economy continue to exceed 50mpg. Just a fantastic ‘an car’, totally reliable, comfortable, quiet, quick enough… I was mad to sell it really but I started getting a bit embarrassed by the paintwork. What a Hyacinth Boquet I am.

In, then out:

Skoda Favorit. Hilarious, and irresistible once I’d spotted it on @Yoss’s thread. It was for sale at a time when I had a bit of cash from a house sale, so I decided to treat myself as a divorce present. Loud, rapid and very uncouth. I made a few improvements, then experienced some* difficulty achieving MoT but I managed to wire in a MAF sensor which got the levels down enough to please the tester. It ran like shit with the MAF connected, so I disconnected it immediately after the pass. In hindsight, perfect Retroshite raffle bait.

Adjacent:

Modern Renault Captur. Interesting to experience nu_Mrs Grogee’s buying process – we visited about 10 dealers and she originally wanted a Mokka. I’m glad I persuaded her to change her mind because the Rennow is a much smoother ride and was great value as an ex-demo. She loves it but still struggles to park it…

[DVee8]

No change 

The Daimler spent another year in the garage 

 

The Nissan X Trail is still here, A bluespark box was fitted in September. This has changed the car. From 130bhp to 170bhp, mid 40's mpg to 52-55 mpg.

MrsV8's BMW

N01 sons BMW

N02 sons BMW 

We did try to buy a MINI convertible last month. But the dealer didn't want a deposit, then sold it to someone else  that fell through. So he messaged MrsV8. It went for a MOT that it passed with out any advisories but was "crashed" on the way back from the test centre.

[bunglebus]

Not really accounted for myself on here so far, but I'm into the 12th year of Passat ownership, and somehow one Lupo for the Mrs is now four, of which one is actually on the road, although two have MoTs

[Supernaut]

Two non movers and one that's been here longer than I've existed but just got back on the road in April (so sort of a non mover too).