Ive promised myself a prolonged search for my next car, I have the cash from my Charade ( happy new owner as of tonight, picked it up as promised, lovely young couple ).
My first instinct is actually a Volvo 440 - mainly because ive owned one before and I do very much like the things, plus with the Renault engines they are quite economical for their size.
I would LOVE a Saab but I know id hate the economy so ive ruled that out already.
I do rather fancy an Impreza hatch, 1.6 or 1.8 but they are thin on the ground.
I rather fancy a Toyota Hilux but they all seem to be knackered which is a shame as Ive always wanted one.
Im still sort of fishing for interesting ideas, something to capture my imagination as for once I have the time to do this without rushing and its a very luxurious feeling I must say as the Mazda will plod on until I find something.
It does have to be big enough to carry all my kit and do 40+ mpg plus be reliable enough to use without major worries as I do tend to pile the miles onto my cars although ive cut down to 12k a year of late down from my high of 18k.
Any interesting suggestions? By interesting I mean something a bit unusual!
|
Stu, is your budget the money you got for the Charade (£1,500 wasn't it?) or are you putting any more in?
And how big? Did the Charade carry all your kit?
|
|
What about a Merc C250 Turbodiesel: punchy and far more refined than modern oil burners: will run until doomsday too!
|
Well id prefer to spend closer to a grand as its a dead cert that anything will most likely need a belt change or something fixing so I want to keep £500 back for getting the car up to my standard.
How big, well Escort size would be nice. The Charade did carry all my kit but its misleading because the Charade happened to have a very practically shaped loadbay which lent itself to my work but ive found much bigger cars have barely any more space. Id like an estate or small mpv type thing really but a hatchback with a large loadfloor area is as good.
|
|
What about an early 90's Merc 190 or Audi 80? Or how about a Morris Marina?
|
...Well id prefer to spend closer to a grand...
I read somewhere there's a nice Rover for sale quite near you.
|
You're just wasting your money it seems to me.
I've read several of these what-new-car sagas over the years - this one seems even more extreme. You've just sold a perfectly good car & now are looking to buy something with the residue - so you've lost value on the old & will pay someone's profit on the new.
Selling a lowish priced car & buying an even cheaper makes no financial sense.
You're also 'buying' new unknown/potential problems. Any notional saving you think you might have made will be wiped out by frictional (buying/selling) costs - even if you do buy your dream 10-year old car.
Last edited by: kensitas on Wed 28 Apr 10 at 07:58
|
>>You're just wasting your money it seems to me.
Of course he is. He's frittered away tens of thousands of pounds whilst I've been reading these threads, whilst apparently living on the breadline - having bought a bicycle because he cannot afford the petrol.
Don't forget he's also spent £500 on a Mazda 323 to tide him over whilst he waits for his "dream" car to turn up - there'll be £450 to lose on that transaction too.
I thought he was going to wait for a diesel Legacy to become affordable for his next car.
Anyway, he's putting money into the economy, and he's (apparently) making himself happy, so who are we to complain?
Last edited by: Mapmaker on Wed 28 Apr 10 at 09:17
|
>> he's (apparently) making himself happy
Worth every penny he's spent then.
Seriously, your interest and happiness in your car has a price too, it doesn't come for free.
|
>> >>You're just wasting your money it seems to me.
>>
>>
>> Anyway he's putting money into the economy and he's (apparently) making himself happy so who
>> are we to complain?
>>
Mapmaker and kensitas (given up on woodbines?) make good points. But if RattleandSmoke and Stunorthants are happy, let them spend their meagre earnings on contunually buying cars to help the economy and fill up these motoring forums. As Gordon Brown keeps telling us, we've got to keep on spending.
|
He is probably just bored :).
Wasn't the reason he sold the purple car due to needing a bigger car?
|
|
Thanks for the suggestions ;-)
|
Money has eased a little of late so Im letting myself go just a little but is as controlled way as possible so ive set criteria that I must stick to so I dont end up with a Jag that I really want.
I believe its quite possible to buy a 10 or even 15 year old car that has plenty of reliable service in it if you choose carefully - sometimes Ive managed it and a few times not, but thats life - I own my home outright so what else am I going to waste my money on but the thing I love which is cars!
I have the wifes permission and thats all I need :-) Some do take car ownership way too seriously.
|
Good points by kensitas above.
It would help, Stu, just to clarify why you sold the Charade and bought the Mazda - I'm just a little confused by the logic (as others seem to be).
As you've stated in the 'Rover thread', the market in sub-£1000 cars has been heavily distorted over the last year or so. You do seem to have left yourself open to inheriting other peoples' bodges/problems for little (if any) financial benefit.
Last edited by: Old Sock on Wed 28 Apr 10 at 11:55
|
|
He did it because he wanted to and because he can. Don't see the point in trying to analyse it beyond that point.
|
Old Sock
Ill answer your query as you havent thrown down judgement from on high like some people who maybe have too much caffeine in their diet ;-)
I sold the Charade because my wife and I want something bigger to take on more of the long distance work that we do, so that we can take the miles down on her car which was doing 18,000 a year and since she wants to keep it long term, we dont want it having big miles on it so soon ( its 18 months old ).
My Charade could have done it, but it wasnt the most relaxing car on a long drive and given the choice, something more cushy would be nice so we decided to have a change.
I bought the Mazda because it was local, had loads of T&T and being self-employed, I cannot afford to be without transport. Then I can take the money from the Charade and take time looking at alot of different cars without any time pressure and hopefully buy something worth buying.
|
>>kensitas (given up on woodbines?)
Well spotted! (they were making me cough anyway..)
|
>>Some do take car ownership way too seriously.
Well not as much, it seems, as someone who's always chopping & changing & losing money in the process. If you don't want sage advice - fine, it's nobody else's business, but you do post quite prolifically about the ins & outs of the latest old-banger purchase & seemingly go from car to car without any real satisfaction (otherwise, one would assume, you'd keep them a bit longer..)
Even when flush, it's good to remember you can only spend it once & circumstances can change - regret can be a tiresome mistress.
|
|
There was a very nice Mercedes on another thread... it only cost £1,200.
|
|
Well, I can stop contributing about my cars if you would prefer. I only post about it to add to the forum.
|
Thanks, Stu.
From personal experience, a late-model Citroën XM 2.1TD auto estate would be quite 'interesting'.
Superbly comfortable, 40+ mpg driven sensibly, room enough for your kit I should think.
Ignore scaremongers prophesying dodgy electrics - these cars were well sorted out on the 'series 2' facelift cars.
The engine's not the most accessible, but it's a relatively low-tech unit by modern standards.
Prices have actually edged upwards slightly in recent years - and they're a bit thin on the ground. Often owned by die-hard Citroën fanatics and religiously maintained.
Go on - you know you want one really :-)
Last edited by: Old Sock on Wed 28 Apr 10 at 12:23
|
|
Yes, yes, my dad had two XMs, a MK1 2.0 auto hatch and a MK2 2.0 Turbo auto estate, both of which never went wrong despite their reputations. I know these cars well although id be inclined towards a late BX estate as the XM may be overkill spacewise. We do have a good local Citroen specialist too. Good one.
|
|
Mmmm - the BX was worthy in its day, but the tinworm will have been busy :-( The XM is an altogether more 'modern' car - but not too modern to preclude a fair bit of DIY-ing :-)
|
|
Ok, well how does the Xantia fair then? I saw a lovely silver estate one today driven by an old fella.
|
If you have a local Citroen guy and Citroens have been in the family before then a TD Xantia Estate (or poss a hatch) is the obvious car. They go, stop, handle, ride really well, don't rust and you should get 42-47mpg. A very well proven diesel engine with minimal complications.
As Old Sock says with the XM there are quite a few Xantias about in mature, caring ownership and one of these would make a great buy around £1000-£1500.
We've had 5 in the family, 2 ourselves. Funnily enough a relatives old 1999 TD hatch is still gliding about the village looking very smart and this relative has had two cars since, spent over £4k changing them yet the Xantia is overall a better car than the one he has currently. Which of course supports what kensitas said.
|
Xantias are lovely but watch the suspension. Is it an HDI or the older XUD. If the latter watch the cylinder head as can crack!
I would go for an old pre- common rail Merc Diesel myself or maybe an E220. Big big Mercedes fan!
Oh and keep posting about your motorng adventures. I wish I could buy and sell like you do!
|
|
Xud felt bulletproof and very little to go wrong. So economical too. 306 estate with a turbo xud unit?
|
|
Yep no need to worry about the XUD head as an issue. In the 90s (including our own) I looked after 16 XUD engined vehicles that had covered 1,800,000 miles between them with not one cracked head. Just one BX needed a head gasket and skim but that was at 249,000mls.
|
the XUDs mught still be going strong, but the rest of the cars have fallen to bits round them.
Face it, you are playing in the 1k territory, where 50% of that on offer are dreadfull examples of type, and 45% so unatractive to own or drive that no-one wants them.
I would stick your 1,500 in the bank, and run the mazda for a year. The market might be better in 12 months.
|
>>>the XUDs mught still be going strong, but the rest of the cars have fallen to bits round them.
You're wrong... both my Dad's 99 Xantia TD and my 98 Xantia TD are still in this village... looking smart/rust free and going strong. But I would agree they were two better examples and the average £1k car of any make these days stands a good chance of being a shed....apart from that nice Rover 414.
|
TD!!!
you heretic
thats not an XUD. not a proper XUD.
|
|
I have huge fondness for the TD version. When the ZX first came out in the 1.9TD version around 1992 it was a real Q-car with a Golf GTi like ability to cover ground on A/B roads. The turbo made it feel as if a bungee was pullng you towards your destination.
|
Serious suggestion Stu - keep the Mazda for now until it needs a repair costing more than the car is worth, and see if you can save a few more hundred pounds towards the next purchase.
It keeps the fun going of thinking about what you want next: if you're anything like me it can feel a bit flat when you've actually made the decision.
|
|
Just around the corner from me there's a Y-reg Citroen C5 HDi with a piece of A4 in the window advertising it for £800. Seems to be a conventially suspended model too. I'll get the phone number if you want Stu, I'm only 40 minutes' drive away from Northampton.
Last edited by: Dave_TD {P} on Wed 28 Apr 10 at 15:11
|
Im certainly not going to just buy something for the sake of it so there is no real timescale - I want to find something a bit special and Im sure its out there still.
I missed out on a 440 with very few miles yesterday as I didnt have the money in my hand at the time, but it looked very nice indeed and I would have gone for it but if it was meant to be it would be on my drive right now.
Im going to hold out for a full history, lowish mileage car, pref a newer car in the same vein as the Mazda with lots of main dealer history long beyond economic repair. They exist and most of them make an apperance on Ebay so ill just keep watching and see what pops up.
Im tempted by an Escort estate BUT I know id soon get bored of it so ive had to rule it out.
My plan is to get something that ill aim to keep for two years as my attention span doesnt stretch much beyond that and I have to be honest with myself - I dont have any other vices ( dont smoke, drink, gamble or infact go out at all save for one afternoon a month ) so ill allow myself cars.
|
>> I want to find something a bit special
>> ...
>> Im tempted by an Escort estate
As a Ford owner even I'm having a bit of trouble digesting those statements... :)
Last edited by: Focus on Wed 28 Apr 10 at 15:19
|
Before you spend all that lovely lolly Stu, my oppo has a Karcher Diesel hot power washer he wants to sell...is it of any interest to you for your business before he sticks it on the flea.
|
|
Thanks GB but Im getting amazing life out of my £60 Karcher atm - ive had it now 16 months which is amazing given the work it does - usually they only last 6-7 months but this one seems to have worn well or they have upgraded the internals perhaps.
|
|
Well thats to say that an Escort estate is a sensible option and very available. Just isnt special.
|
>> Well thats to say that an Escort estate is a sensible option and very available.
>> Just isnt special.
Right, I misunderstood - that makes sense.
|
George (Harrison) said;
Someone's driving a 450
And his friends are so wild
They're still in their stick shifties
But they feel they have much more style
But I've found . . .
It's all up to what you value
Down to where you are
It all swings on the pain you've gone through
Getting where you are
It's all up to what you value
In your motor car
It all rests on what it's cost you
Getting where you are
It's what you value
Someone's driving a 6-wheeler
Seems the world is all blurred
Knows he's in a show stealer
With a sound that's uncompared
And I've found
It's all up to what you value
Down to where you are
It all swings on the pain you're gone through
Getting where you are
It's all up to what you value
In your motor car
It all rests on what it cost's you
Getting where you are
It's what you value.
so enjoy yourself Stu. They're all vicariously enjoying the chase.
JH
Last edited by: Webmaster on Mon 3 May 10 at 02:04
|
I think Stu has suffered from the Rattle syndrome. People got sick of my constant banger threads but at the same time they always got a lot of replies and traffic for the site.
What ever Stu decides to buy I am sure it will be more interesting than a Mondeo or Panda :).
|
It's the thrill of the chase that's fun (pace Avant).
The grim reality is that the cherished bargain probably has a list of faults as long as your arm, which are expensive to fix. Even if it's just because somebody takes against it and pierces your tyres...
|
Im off to have a look at a Volvo tomorrow, hopefully it will have an arms length of faults :-)
Some cars do, some dont, you just never know. I bought a 93 Volvo 460 in mint cond and it was faultless, so I dont subscribe to all the doom and gloom.
|
The answer is obvious.
Save a little extra for a few months and go for a Forester S-Turbo or XT.
If you thought your old non-turbo Forester was a good car, you'll wet yourself with one of these little beauts.
They scrub up well and rust seems very unusual on the bodypanels, and are generally owned by a higher grade of thug than Imprezas ;-)
|
|
stu, if you like 440/460s so much, how's about a 480? Hmm? I had one. It was fantastic.
|
Well, the only problem with the 480 is that it cannot handle weight in the back without dragging its backside - I know this as someone I knew had one and two kids - when they sat in the back the mudguards scraped along the ground half the time. Also my back isnt up to much these days, nor my knees, so something close to the ground isnt great for me.
Im afraid cars that pensioners buy also make alotta sense for me :-)
|
|
If you are talking Volvos how about an 850/V70 Saloon or Estate: indestructable and a lovely 5 cylinder engine.
|
|
stu how about a honda civic? or a jazz?? I know i got the 2nd jazz after i part exchanged the other one, was really wanted to buy a civic but the insurance quote shot up due to the postcode
|
|
The only Civic in my price range is the mid 90's one which I like but my misses finds uncomfortable ( we had the very similar Rover 400 ).
|
|
Don't think it's got power steering and you'll need to be Charles Atlas's twin to park it, or put 40psi in the front tyres like many of us did that had 80's Diesels.
|
I actually have a body like Charles Atlas, well - he has been dead for 28 years!
I drove a Pug 309 DERV a couple of years ago - no PAS.
It drove like ya would expect an older type non-turbo diesel to - noisy & sluggish.
Sound cars though (if ya could live with one) - and that is a *very* fine example (as bb would say)
|
IMO nice motors...
I used to work for a Pug dealer back in the day these were current, no major grief as I remember.
rear trailing arms can get play in them, so check them.
engine is a 'proper' diesel, so looked after, it will run forever.
basically a 205 with slightly longer wheelbase, and more overhang, so that should say more than I ever could!
little known fact... 309 doors are infact exactly the same as 205 ones!
mouldings and doorcards make them look different though!
|
Nice cars, as Swiss Tony says - I had a 309 and 205 diesel a few years ago. Both had a lot (180 and 205 k respectively) of miles when I sold them and I had no major problems with either car. However, both the engines in my cars were non-turbo - ok in the 205, but the power in the 309 could only be described as sufficient. Incidentally, both mine had power steering, but were higher specs (GLD IIRC).
As a slightly random thought Stu, how about a Renault 19 TD? I had two of these, both superb cars - very comfortable, fast, great to drive, and easily capable of 50mpg. If (and it's a big if nowadays) you can find one in good order that's been looked after it should go on towards 200k without many problems.
|
Stu.. Glad you didn't rise to the bait of some folk. Keep 'em coming.
MD
|
opps - its been clocked.....
can anyone tell me how i know?
|
(((can anyone tell me how i know?)))
The figures on the mile o meter are cockeyed
|
yup its got up and downers.
someones been poking about in the speedo.
|
It's French. I'd be more worried by an odometer that was perfectly straight.
I'd give the speedo-glass a sharp bump and the numbers would likely straighten up a bit.
|
>> can anyone tell me how i know?
Go on spill the beans. If it's a joke it's already over my head.
If it's genuine i vote for something to do with the missing fog lamp.
|
Get real guys, would any of us really pay any more than 150 quid for a ropey 20-year old Peugeot 309, whether it's diesel or a GTi?!!!
I'm with Avant: keep the cash in the bank for at least 6 months and see how much fun you have with the Mazda over the summer. Aren't used cars generally cheaper in Autumn anyway?
My vote for your next car is to seek out a 10-year old Primera. Spacious, well-equipped, sweet 1.8 engine and almost certainly reliable. Or may be a 306 if you still fancy Peugeot?
|
Umm, hate to shock you but a 1987 Mazda isnt fun and it was never bought as a pleasurable exercise. Its was available and had long t&t - that was it and I needed a car. It is currently serving its purpose.
Hate the 306, horrid thing to drive! My nightmare of a car. People ARE paying more than £150 for cars like that Peugeot ( ropey though? ), thats the market right now - your several years out of date. Im watching alot of different listings and the sale prices are amazing in some cases, strong in all of them.
The longer I keep the Mazda, the closer it gets to spending money on it and thats not what I have a temporary car for.
|
I thought you actually quite liked the Mazda - pristine condition, bargain, etc?!! Sounds like you can't wait to get shot of it?
I bet that it's a better bet than either of those 309s in any case! I'd even have risked the red Rover 414 for 850 notes instead of those Peugeots.
I appreciate that my knowledge of the UK used car market might be out of date. But subjectively, call it gut instinct or whatever, some cars are worth a punt at 500 quid and some just ain't.
And we all know that Humph is right... what can possibly be better all-round than a Mondeo for 1200-1500 quid at this end of the market..?!
|
A Mondeo at that end of the market better have a good clutch as it will cost £600 to replace.
|
RE: the clocked Peugeot with the cockeyed odometer.
I think some of you are trying too hard.
I've seen genuine odometers look like this.
And the seller says he has the MoTs to 'proove' (sic) the mileage.
Every chance it's genuine.
Lot of money for a G-reg, though.
|
|
Actually ive driven Mondeos and I dont care for them at all, horrid seats for starters. Im leaning towards a GM Saab or small Volvo at this stage.
|
The GM 900 and 9-3 have much to commend them - I had one of each and liked them very much - but neither will come close to 40mpg, unless you can find one of the rare and rough diesels. My 2.0 non-turbo petrols never bettered 34, even when treated very gently.
But then I'm on the side that can't fathom the logic of what you're doing, so what do I know?
}:---)
|
|
Haha thanks, it makes sense if your me and the misses. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Just think, 5 year sago, I used to run three old cars at once, so this is very mild behaviour for me :-)
|
>>>ive driven Mondeos and I dont care for them at all, horrid seats for starters.
I can't not say Stu it makes it damn hard to think of anything that might suit when you'll happily drive that Charade for ages and then make the above comment on a car that's well known for an excellent driving/seating experience.
|
Well im not very tall and the ergonomics may suit someone of average height, but not me.
I drove a 1999 Mondeo Ghia X for a few days and I couldnt wait to see the back of it. Im going to look at Scorpio Estates though as ive driven one of them and I liked it.
|
Funny you should say that, Stu. I'm on the other tail of the height distribution and didn't find the 90s Mondeo comfortable either. I had a couple from Hertz when I was between Saabs in 1998 (O the lost bliss of the company car!) and really didn't get on with them - especially the brown one.
Current Fords are much better, I find - but you're presumably ten years away from looking at those, aren't you?
};---)
|
|
Maybe you didn't have the seat adjusted properly Stu? My wife is 5'2", would blow over in a high wind and she says our Mondeo estate is the most comfortable car she's ever driven. She just uses the electric seat adjusters to put it up high. Conversely, I am rather a lot taller and I find it excellent too. Anyway, no doubt you speak as you find. Odd though.
|
|
Ahh like Humph I'm sure I was talking about the Mk.III Mondeo which should be within budget... I wouldn't look at a 1990s one when the newer ones are affordable.
|
|
I dont mind the MK3 but I think for my budget, the ones on offer might be a bit leggy. Remember use values are strong atm so even the MK2 is coming up around a grand.
|
Stu, are you using this car for your business? Is your business all existing customers that you do on their driveways or are you looking for new business and have a water supply?
On a personal level, it would really put me off if someone came to me claiming to want to wash / polish / valet my car etc and he started pulling all his bits out the back of a Lilac Charade or some of the other cars you are now looking at?
However if its all repeat business you are doing then fair enough.
Why not get a van for your business, cheap as chips, and then use the rest of the money and your Mazda to buy a luxury cheap old barge for your long journeys?
|
Yeah I use it for work. Im only working with existing customers and recommendations - advertising doesnt pay for itself right now.
At the end of the day, if apperances matter more to someone than the quality of the work done, they are lost on me. Nobody has ever commented negatively and ive picked up new customers since I started using cars instead of vans.
Seriously, have you seen the price of vans right now? A van selling for a grand is nigh on ready for scrapping. Anything roadworthy is always in demand and thus expensive, more so than a car of similar age.
|
|
stu get a accord the one wth the leather, comfortable reliable motors, or a beemer
|
|
Funny you say that, ive been scanning Accord Coupes...
|
Struggling to find anything worth looking at right now although ive stuck a cheeky bid on a Merc, see if I win out but seems unlikely - id be more shocked if it was a win than a loss!
Why is it that the cars you would have gone for disappear THE DAY AFTER you get the money in your hand? Its very irritating!
Theres a W123 diesel estate on there with 230k but reasonable T&T - but bidding with more than a day to go is £640 which seems like one thats going to go to silly figures - the market is bonkers right now for old stuff and not even very good old stuff either.
|
Trouble with 123 and 124 Diesels is that they'll run ok for a while at least on Mazola, and there's no guarantee that the previous owner hasn't done exactly that.
Seems that the scrappage debacle and export of good used has taken it's toll, not much good stuff about anymore and certainly not cheap.
|
That W123 diesel - £1565!! Thats what it sold for. Who on earth pays that kinda money for some old tank like that - its not as if it were mint or anything. I thought maybe £800 if they were lucky.
People really are parting with serious cash for old stuff right now, its bizarre.
|
>>Struggling to find anything worth looking at right now<<
Ah! The money is burning a hole in your pocket (we've all been there!)
I remember when I was 16 and going to buy a Lambretta GT200 and the receptionist (with the big ooters) where I worked said "Don't do anything rash Dog"
Rash I thought - woss she on about?
Wait until after the weekend comrade - something will turn up!
|
Well, ive got a wriggle on with the bodywork on the Mazda ( the previous owner tried a couple of minor repairs and made more mess than he solved ) so its getting to the point where its ready for me to move it on.
Im still not in a major rush but I dont want the MOT on the Maz winding down too much or it will loose its kerb appeal for selling later on - its value is entirely in its MOT and tax.
|
|
Old nissan primeras are fairly bullet proof. If you need to put weight in the back then get some spring thingies that carparts direct sell. They stop the car from bottoming and let it take heavier weights in the rear.
|
|
Just bought a car, more on that later. The car in front is..one of these, well it was 19 years ago ;-)
|
|
come on Stu don't be a tease...19 year old Toyo....hmm Corolla or Carina is my bet, or did you find a rare Camry estate?
|
|
Rust free, years MOT, £350. Its rare-ish but not a Camry unfortunatly.
|
|
Sounds like a big leap up from the Mazda... ;-)
|
Right, Im back, just done 70 miles in it, all ok :-)
Its a 1991 Carina II 1.6 auto. Very few miles on the clock, no service history but a nearly new MOT.
Body is very straight, cant find any rust at all, just a small dent on rear wing, previous owner had it ten years, now bought a Kia Ceed. Its not very clean, smells of dog inside ( eww ) but in all honesty, it does drive superbly - ive never driven one of these and I was extremely impressed at how quiet it is. Its also very comfortable, plenty of adjustment in the seats, steering is featherlight, just how I like it.
The drive home was obviously stressful to start with because a run down the road isnt the same as 70 miles on the motorway, but the worse I can find is that the seal on the drivers window is a bit out of shape so the window doesnt close flush and moves about on its runners a bit plus there is a wheel wobble at low speeds ( tyres balancing? ) and a slight clonk on certain frequency bumps ( Ive assumed this is a bush somewhere in the front susp ).
All the windows, mirrors and sunroof work and it has very few marks on it really for its age.
It has an MOT well into next year and even has tax till end of June. I think a through service, cambelt change ( was done at 48k according to the cambelt cover but in what year who knows ) and a good valet and I have a pretty decent car. Its not fast or flash, but it does have a certain air of indestructable quality about it. I will know more when my mech has had it on a ramp, but even I could see that the engine is oil tight, it doesnt overheat at all and generally it looks in good order. Im rather pleased. Best part is, my budget of £800 has so much left over, I think ill be ok in putting the repair budget in my ISA.
Pics will follow when ive given it the Stuey treatment and it looks worthy of my ownership!
|
Some Stu's do 'ave 'em comes to mind!
So what you going to with the Mazda?
The Carina II was the pre Derbyshire built one wasn't it? e.g 1988-1991?
|
Purely out of curiosity and without in any way wanting to offend, what has a 1991 Carina got that a 1987 Mazda hasn't? Auto? Bigger boot perhaps?
It would be nice for you to keep both in case one of them goes wrong, but I suppose tax and insurance will see to that.
|
Its a good ole jap Toyota Rattle.
Carina has: more settled ride, much bigger boot and cabin, more supportive seats, power steering, quieter and a general feeling of solidity. The boot really is very big indeed, even more so with seats down. The cars are VERY different to drive - the Toyota is a genuinely relaxing way to get about, the 323, well, it gets you there. The autobox wasnt a deciding factor, but nonetheless, I like that it has it.
I never made the mistake of getting attached to the 323, I always knew I wasnt keeping it which is why its easy for me to let it go. It will sell Im sure of that, what for who knows, that will be fun, ive nearly finished tidying it up.
|
I know the one, looked quite modern for a Toyota of the day.
I remember from mini cab days the ride was a little firm but always seemed to be comfortable and spacious in the back.
I bought a paint colour for more than you spent on a car! The best thing is if it does turn out to be a shed you won't have lost much.
How long do you plan to keep it for?
|
Well Im going to wait until my mech has had a look at it - if what he says backs up how it drives, ie its good, then I will try and stick to my two year plan, then see how Im feeling then - I fully expect that in two years time I can get my money back for it and Ive struggled to find anyone who will say a bad word against the reliability of the things so it may make alot of sense to keep it.
I do become attached to cars that serve me well so you never know.
|
Thanks, Stu. Best of luck with it.
Like any other piece of machinery, something that's 20 years old and been well looked after should perform just as well as something 5 years old that hasn't.
|
|
Well yes, I keep reading of these cars doing a reliable 150-200k and mine hasnt tipped 80k yet so Im hopeful. They do also have a reputation for absorbing neglect and abuse which was why I wasnt as concerned as I normally would be about the lack of recent servicing.
|
Stu, Stu, Stu!!!
You wanted 'something interesting' and you've bought..... a Toyota Carina :-(
The motoring equivalent of Steve 'Interesting' Davis, I suppose!
|
|
Well its interesting in that its quite rare now! Its interesting to me because after 50 odd cars in the last 13 years, ive not ever owned a Toyota. It is also a quality car, it feels it and I like that.
|
>> is also a quality car it feels it and I like that.
IIRC the 1.6 had quite good figures for its capacity - how does it feel?
|
|
Well the autobox does rather sap the power, but if you bury the throttle it does take off - ive only done that once so far as I want fresh oil in the engine and gearbox before I start asking too much of it. Its very quiet though, thats my main feeling, quieter than anything ive driven of that age - makes a Sierra seem incredibly harsh by comparison. I can fully see why so many old folk chose one to see them through to the grave.
|
I can fully see why so
>> many old folk chose one to see them through to the grave.
>>
Yes they did and when the Carina disappeared many changed to those dreadful Hyundai Lantra things..;) (according to another thread anyway), i took truckloads of new and ex rentals to dealers along the South Coast in the 90's.
Strange how manufacturers get a loyal grey following by making comfortable ultra reliable easy to drive conservative cars then can't get away from the formula that made them successful quickly enough...how many grey's do you see in new Civics for example.
|
>> Strange how manufacturers get a loyal grey following by making comfortable ultra reliable easy to
>> drive conservative cars then can't get away from the formula that made them successful quickly
>> enough
Strange, because if other greys are like my parents, they don't even try to haggle the price down. And that was on a Ford :(
|
>>how many grey's do you see in new Civics for example.<<
Funny you say that, the other day, I saw an elderly man, must have been atleast mid 80's ( or he had the worlds hardest paper round ) get into an 09 plate Civic and drove off - I was suprised he could work out how to start it :-)
I expect he bought a Civic because he had for 30 years and why change now. Its rather cool, like the story my dad told me about in the 70's when he saw a very old lady pottering down the A24 at 30 in a 3.0 Capri.
|
Well the verdict is in. Its a goodun.
Im told there is no rust underneath whatsoever, he said it was in remarkable shape in general and he had seen 5 year old cars in worse condition.
He has done the full cambelt kit rather than just the belt as the tensioner etc were all original and well beyond their use-by date. Tyres that I had replaced were also well past it, one he reckoned was nigh on lethal and he was shocked it passed an MOT a month ago.
He said these engines are little gems and this one runs very sweetly.
I got a shock getting a price for an air filter though - £26!! Thats a Halfords one, so ill try Toyota, may be cheaper, stranger things have happened.
Im feeling better about my purchase now ive had a more professional inspection done, esp when they say they cant find anything wrong with it. Lucky break given my luck with old cars :-)
|
|
Stu, for your filters pop along to CES opposite the Suzuki garage just down from the hospital, best place for consumable spares for miles.
|
|
Good man, thanks yeah I know where you mean.
|
Ok, now I have the money and I need to spend! - Avant
