Well the first hour was bloomin excellent. Driving my 306 Rallye back from Leicester all was well; it had sat cruising without much fuss, filling it up was drama free too and a scenic route back taking in the B660 would surely be superb.
In fact, I was so chuffed that I pulled over to take a pic. That was when it seemed to be idling really rather loudly. A few miles later and the din was insufferable. Something had come detached in the exhaust which made for a 306 that would have been classed as 'a bit rowdy' in Southend. I was near St Neots at the time. I live in Twickenham. Full hearing has just about been restored.
It's currently in the garage to have the problem rectified. With Shed Civic currently unsold, funds are a little tight so hopefully it's nothing serious. The Fleet updates certainly won't be dull, that's for sure...
I've wanted a quick 306 for a long time. When I first started reading car mags in the late 90s, it was winning group tests everywhere. I was very envious of a mate at school had an XSI. I test drove a GTI-6 at the start of last year but didn't take the plunge. Starting at PH with Dan 'have I told you about that 172 Cup I had?' Trent next to me, it was only a matter of time before I had something fast and French.
What was that about unreliable French cars?
GTI-6
just before Christmas finally twisted my arm; I was getting a 306. The
advert
for this Rallye was pretty good, detailing lots of recent work and with 11 decent pictures. Speaking with the owner filled me with confidence (he was only getting rid to buy a new Fiesta ST and knew loads about 306s that I didn't) and we had a deal unseen at £1,700. A quick chat with a guy at the insurance company revealed they only wanted another £25 for a Rally-eee (not a French car fan clearly) and the train to Leicester was booked.
Having paid a deposit to secure it, I really didn't want to leave without the car. Fortunately, a long passenger ride and test drive revealed nothing untoward (at this point) and there was a huge stack of receipts too. I was happy, and even more chuffed driving home until the Rallye decided it wanted to be more hardcore and forego the exhaust altogether. Here's hoping it's a minor issue. The seller seemed like a decent chap so I'd like to think it's bad luck rather than something more sinister.
More will follow on the Rallye in a proper Fleet intro and it will most definitely be appearing at a few Sunday Services in 2014. Any thoughts, advice and comments welcome! And please, say there are some of you with positive experiences of buying a car unseen?