An average PH'ers car history, in Top Bumps style!

An average PH'ers car history, in Top Bumps style!

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Discussion

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

170 months

Sunday 8th September 2013
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Well it's been ten months I've owned the Chim for. As you can tell from this thread, its around now I get itchy feet and swap for something else. Do I feel the same now? No, hell no. Why? Heres why:







I flipping love this car, more so than any other. This, along with the WRX Wagon has been the highlight of my car history, and I'll only sell when I'm forced to.

thumbup

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

170 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
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Update time! The Top Bumps set is getting bigger biggrin

At 33 it was finally time for me to be sensible and start spending my hard earned on wedding savings, house renovations, holidays... grown up stuff. The TVR / Ford Ka combo was awesome but not quite cutting it from a sensible, grown up point of view so I sold both of them, with the TVR going to another PH'er. Hugely painful to see someone else driving her away, but at least I know she will be looked after and enjoyed, and from what I've read she has been joining other TVR's on the thunder in the tunnel runs thumbup

So, onto something sensible. I test drove various German estates - E91s, A4 Avants, C Class Mercedes and my Lord the ones in my budget were either dull or dogs, or both! There were no Impreza Wagons on the market at the time either, so instead I bought a fully loaded E92 Coupe. My reasoning was the seats folded down, it had every toy, was in awesome condition, had perfect service history and compared to the E91 was so much cheaper. Two doors? Meh, theres loads of room in the back, the dog will be fine! No boot space then? I can get a roof box! Behold, the sexy bavarian cruiser:



Wow, the luxury was something I've not experienced in my car history so far. It had auto everything (including gearbox, more of that later), a smooth, creamy, powerful, revvy six cylinder engine and felt tight as a drum. It was awesome in every objective, measurable way and all my non-petrolhead friends, family and colleagues approved sagely with my sensible choice of car.

It didn't even last two months....



Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:46

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

170 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
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So the E92 was sexy to look at and as mentioned above, non-petrols heads approved. But I really didn't get on with it at all. It just left me cold once the luxury of the thing wore off. My commute to work involves four six mile journeys through tight country lanes, and the auto box (and the size of the thing) had me seriously lusting after a compact, manual pocket rocket of some description...

To be fair to the BMW, I shouldn't have bought it. I was seduced by the looks and luxury, but whatever, at least I can add to my ownership experiences. Gets a good sex appeal rating though!

Onto my current car, and practically everyone I know thinks I'm a lunatic for swapping the BMW for it. Hopefully I'll get some solace from the PH massive, or at the least, some understanding...

Behold, the mighty Fiat Panda 100hp:



I've had it just over a week now, and for my commute, it is PERFECT. Growly, willing engine, slick six speed box, great (if upright) driving position, grippy chassis. I flippin' love it and haven't missed the BMW in the slightest.

Fuel and insurance is half the cost of the BMW, which is a bonus, but the smile I get every time I drive her is the real winner.

I reckon this one is a keeper, but the lads at work disagree and even have set up a sweepstake (me saying two years vs. another chap who said two weeks). We'll see.

What do you all think of my choice then PH? Be nice smile

Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 17:47

Croutons

9,807 posts

165 months

Sunday 27th July 2014
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This is a truly brilliant thread, excellent job OP!

Panda 100 appears highly rated, and seems to meet your needs better than the Beemer, so fair play!

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

170 months

Monday 28th July 2014
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Croutons said:
This is a truly brilliant thread, excellent job OP!

Panda 100 appears highly rated, and seems to meet your needs better than the Beemer, so fair play!
Thanks smile

The Panda is a cracker - I totally understand it isn't cool to other people, especially non-petrolheads, but it really is terrific fun. Besides, I'm kind of at the age where I don't care what I look like or what other people think!

JFReturns

Original Poster:

3,693 posts

170 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
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Update!

Its a testament to how good the Panda 100hp was that it lasted well over a year. In fact, I loved it so much I would have kept it longer were it not for the fact I was given another car. The Panda 100hp is in my top three favourite cars from this thread - yes they're that good! Shes sold now with the proceeds going to our wedding next year (borrrinng).

Onto my next car then, which I got for free! Alfa Romeo 156 2.0TS Veloce, one former owner from new, full service history with 15 stamps all from the dealer it was purchased from, 3 cambelt changes, 74,000 miles and in VERY good condition. Love the looks of this car, especially when you consider the Mondeos and Vectras that were around at the same time. Funnily enough I helped spec this car from new when I was 20 years old, hence the veloce pack and whopping great big spoiler!



Considering the age, this is a lovely car to drive with a taut ride, slick gear shift and smooth engine. I know its not a busso V6 but its still a lovely sounding thing.

Plans for this are just to to tidy it up a little bit and enjoy, as cheaply as possible! I'm not entirely sure how long it will last for as I really want another hawkeye wagon. We'll see!




Edited by JFReturns on Sunday 13th September 18:08