I just Love my banger..
Discussion
Bought myself a plucky little SEAT Toledo 2.3 V5 (170bhp) three years ago to use as a commuting shed. Think I paid £1500 for it, when it had just over 60,000 miles on the clock (120,000 on it now).
Alloy wheels, leather & alcantara seats, cd multi changer, sat nav, auto dimming mirror, traction control, climate control, electric seats etc. Still scoots along like a little rocket.
It cruises with ease and is as reliable as anything. I genuinely think, in terms of value for money, that it's the best car I've ever bought (that's including the 350Z and C55)
I bloody love it!
Alloy wheels, leather & alcantara seats, cd multi changer, sat nav, auto dimming mirror, traction control, climate control, electric seats etc. Still scoots along like a little rocket.
It cruises with ease and is as reliable as anything. I genuinely think, in terms of value for money, that it's the best car I've ever bought (that's including the 350Z and C55)
I bloody love it!
Edited by bockaaarck on Monday 3rd October 02:34
I'm not sure the term 'shed' is correctly applied these days. A ten year old 100k car is often just nicely run in and rust and mechanical failures are far less of a problem than they were not so long ago.
New cars are lovely, but every time I look at one I think how hard I work for £30k after tax and what else I could do with the cash. This is particularly true when I spend 90% of my driving life on the motorway. As long as I am comfortable and don't break down I just can't get excited about anything manufacturers currently have to offer.
New cars are lovely, but every time I look at one I think how hard I work for £30k after tax and what else I could do with the cash. This is particularly true when I spend 90% of my driving life on the motorway. As long as I am comfortable and don't break down I just can't get excited about anything manufacturers currently have to offer.
I had a 94 L Seat Ibiza 1.9 non Turbo Diesel for 4 years. Whilst I kept my other car, an appreciating classic SORNed. Paid £350
In 4 years, 1 set of glowplugs and the 50amp fuse for them. (roughly £20) A new alternator from Euro car parts for about £35. Couple of cheapo tyres for £20 each. Of course being red it was fading pink. And it was by far the nosiest thing in the world. Roughly 400miles to a tank of about 35 quid.
But it was 99.99% reliable. I didn't care about it in car parks. I washed it maybe twice. But kept the inside SPOTLESS. When it finally failed the mot on rust (I could have cheated it through but elected no to) Sold it to CarTakeBack for £175! Utterly brilliant!
The girls I know weren't quite so keen on it. And that's not because they are thick or especially materialistic, just they didn't "get it"
Probably wouldn't have used it for a first date though
In 4 years, 1 set of glowplugs and the 50amp fuse for them. (roughly £20) A new alternator from Euro car parts for about £35. Couple of cheapo tyres for £20 each. Of course being red it was fading pink. And it was by far the nosiest thing in the world. Roughly 400miles to a tank of about 35 quid.
But it was 99.99% reliable. I didn't care about it in car parks. I washed it maybe twice. But kept the inside SPOTLESS. When it finally failed the mot on rust (I could have cheated it through but elected no to) Sold it to CarTakeBack for £175! Utterly brilliant!
The girls I know weren't quite so keen on it. And that's not because they are thick or especially materialistic, just they didn't "get it"
Probably wouldn't have used it for a first date though
SonicHedgeHog said:
I'm not sure the term 'shed' is correctly applied these days. A ten year old 100k car is often just nicely run in and rust and mechanical failures are far less of a problem than they were not so long ago. .
Since "shed money" is £1k it just proves how lucky we are in the UK that we can buy a substantial amount of cars that still have plenty of life in them if they are given basic maintenance. Over the last few years I've been using these as daily drivers and none cost more than £1k. Granted they are not quite outstanding examples but for between £250>750 and a bit of DIY they are perfectly presentable whilst reasonably reliable(in 4 years/30k I've only had to call the AA out twice.)
this
and this
- none have been scrapped , only the Corrado is off the road due to lack of MOT which is mostly down to me being lazy.
like this, my bro picked it up for £200 with 11 months MOT, ran it for 9 months an flogged it for £100. We only washed it the day it arrived and the day before it was sold.
SonicHedgeHog said:
I'm not sure the term 'shed' is correctly applied these days. A ten year old 100k car is often just nicely run in and rust and mechanical failures are far less of a problem than they were not so long ago.
New cars are lovely, but every time I look at one I think how hard I work for £30k after tax and what else I could do with the cash. This is particularly true when I spend 90% of my driving life on the motorway. As long as I am comfortable and don't break down I just can't get excited about anything manufacturers currently have to offer.
100% agree with the above.New cars are lovely, but every time I look at one I think how hard I work for £30k after tax and what else I could do with the cash. This is particularly true when I spend 90% of my driving life on the motorway. As long as I am comfortable and don't break down I just can't get excited about anything manufacturers currently have to offer.
Sadly, I can only afford to run what many would consider a 'shed' - but it serves its purpose well, so I'm happy.
It's all relative - had I won the Euromillions jackpot the other night then I might have considered most PH's cars 'sheds'
1982 635CSi with probably moon mileage (it's on its third set of clocks that I know of) and a three speed auto; the tappets need doing, the exhaust is like swiss cheese and the electrics go through bouts of working and not working; it cost me £3k 20 years ago and is still going strong.
It looks great and turns heads enough to get let out at any junction.
It looks great and turns heads enough to get let out at any junction.
Great thread.
My old toyota carina e. I changed the shocks and bushes, (it may be a banger but I wanted to enjoy throwing it round a bit). Surprisingly revvy 16v 1.6, I've put on 15k miles in the last 6 months and it hasn't missed a beat. Big boot, 45 mpg no matter how you drive it and like others have said, refreshing to be able to leave it anywhere without a thought. The funny thing is that I would miss it if anything happened to it.
My old toyota carina e. I changed the shocks and bushes, (it may be a banger but I wanted to enjoy throwing it round a bit). Surprisingly revvy 16v 1.6, I've put on 15k miles in the last 6 months and it hasn't missed a beat. Big boot, 45 mpg no matter how you drive it and like others have said, refreshing to be able to leave it anywhere without a thought. The funny thing is that I would miss it if anything happened to it.
Interesting thread, I have bought a string of Alfas having thrown caution completely to the wind, knowing about the perceived reputation..
Started with a £1200 146ti that was clearly neglected. Cambelt arms tyres oil. Jumped to life at the turn of the key and made me smile with its comedy body roll. 30,000 miles but wanted a v6.
Next 156 v6. £700 to buy. Clearly overheating but only at higher engine rpm. At idle it settled back down??
Water pump! Replaced that with belts etc and it again fires into life every time. Barring usual service items it has needed arms and anti roll bar bushes. Last mots though it has needed welding.
Still never fails to start. On 120,000 now and going well. Used daily, comfy leather, left in the rain for weeks. Love it, so it seems, does everyone else too. Pretty thing and the noise is fab!
So buy an Alfa and throw caution to the wind...
Started with a £1200 146ti that was clearly neglected. Cambelt arms tyres oil. Jumped to life at the turn of the key and made me smile with its comedy body roll. 30,000 miles but wanted a v6.
Next 156 v6. £700 to buy. Clearly overheating but only at higher engine rpm. At idle it settled back down??
Water pump! Replaced that with belts etc and it again fires into life every time. Barring usual service items it has needed arms and anti roll bar bushes. Last mots though it has needed welding.
Still never fails to start. On 120,000 now and going well. Used daily, comfy leather, left in the rain for weeks. Love it, so it seems, does everyone else too. Pretty thing and the noise is fab!
So buy an Alfa and throw caution to the wind...
I have a company car, but the wife has a shed. A 2005 Saab 9-3 Aero Cabrio.
Mechanically, it's great. Shame the electronics are worse than anything Italy could produce. Currently with our local 'man' to see if he can work out why the offside HID won't work, despite replacing the igniter, ballast and bulb.
Mechanically, it's great. Shame the electronics are worse than anything Italy could produce. Currently with our local 'man' to see if he can work out why the offside HID won't work, despite replacing the igniter, ballast and bulb.
SonicHedgeHog said:
I'm not sure the term 'shed' is correctly applied these days. A ten year old 100k car is often just nicely run in and rust and mechanical failures are far less of a problem than they were not so long ago.
New cars are lovely, but every time I look at one I think how hard I work for £30k after tax and what else I could do with the cash. This is particularly true when I spend 90% of my driving life on the motorway. As long as I am comfortable and don't break down I just can't get excited about anything manufacturers currently have to offer.
I fit into this category, a bit less than £30k a year though. But my current car is a £250 Citroen Xantia 1.9td. Looks like sNew cars are lovely, but every time I look at one I think how hard I work for £30k after tax and what else I could do with the cash. This is particularly true when I spend 90% of my driving life on the motorway. As long as I am comfortable and don't break down I just can't get excited about anything manufacturers currently have to offer.
t, but goes nicely, 600 miles to a tank and utter comfort. Will be even better when I lob a set of spheres on. It's the most comfortable car I;ve had for a while, and is lovely to sit in on a jammed A404 for 20 minutes then the M40 for 11 miles then a B road at 45mph for the last 6 miles...My £600 XM was possibly more comfy, but it onmly did 28mpg, I couldnt afford to run it in the end.
I'm thoroughly enjoying my recently bought Corsavan. 1.7 diesel lump, 2002, 116,000 miles, £170 to insure for a year. It's slow, but good fun maintaining momentum. Comfortable. And I don't care where I park it. It does 62mpg when thrashed, 68mpg driven carefully. Brilliant wee machine so far.
I bought this shed 6 months ago:
210k miles and £250. Flew through an MOT 2 months back with nothing other than braking imbalance as an advisory.
Gave it my daughter and bought this for myself (need an estate so had to do something):
115k miles E240 for £600.
Spent £50 on a crank sensor and £20 on a tailgate gas strut and its now pretty much perfect mechanically and just a few little dints cosmetically. Virtually no rust either!
210k miles and £250. Flew through an MOT 2 months back with nothing other than braking imbalance as an advisory.
Gave it my daughter and bought this for myself (need an estate so had to do something):
115k miles E240 for £600.
Spent £50 on a crank sensor and £20 on a tailgate gas strut and its now pretty much perfect mechanically and just a few little dints cosmetically. Virtually no rust either!
Edited by lostkiwi on Monday 3rd October 10:36
lostkiwi said:
I bought this shed 6 months ago:
210k miles and £250. Flew through an MOT 2 months back with nothing other than braking imbalance as an advisory.
Gave it my daughter and bought this for myself (need an estate so had to do something):
115k miles E240 for £600.
Spent £50 on a crank sensor and £20 on a tailgate gas strut and its now pretty much perfect mechanically and just a few little dints cosmetically. Virtually no rust either!
that's one nice £250 shed!210k miles and £250. Flew through an MOT 2 months back with nothing other than braking imbalance as an advisory.
Gave it my daughter and bought this for myself (need an estate so had to do something):
115k miles E240 for £600.
Spent £50 on a crank sensor and £20 on a tailgate gas strut and its now pretty much perfect mechanically and just a few little dints cosmetically. Virtually no rust either!
Edited by lostkiwi on Monday 3rd October 10:36
kurwa said:
lostkiwi said:
I bought this shed 6 months ago:
210k miles and £250. Flew through an MOT 2 months back with nothing other than braking imbalance as an advisory.
Gave it my daughter and bought this for myself (need an estate so had to do something):
115k miles E240 for £600.
Spent £50 on a crank sensor and £20 on a tailgate gas strut and its now pretty much perfect mechanically and just a few little dints cosmetically. Virtually no rust either!
that's one nice £250 shed!210k miles and £250. Flew through an MOT 2 months back with nothing other than braking imbalance as an advisory.
Gave it my daughter and bought this for myself (need an estate so had to do something):
115k miles E240 for £600.
Spent £50 on a crank sensor and £20 on a tailgate gas strut and its now pretty much perfect mechanically and just a few little dints cosmetically. Virtually no rust either!
Edited by lostkiwi on Monday 3rd October 10:36
Nicely equipped (auto box, auto dimming mirrors, electric windows, electric seats, folding mirrors but only cloth seats).
Everything works as well!
Even the mirrors are worth £125 each secondhand on eBay!
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