New member, car history (Punto, Corsa, Astra, Clio)
Discussion
Hey folks, name's Luke, 29. Thought I should get an introduction up, and a little about me and my car history.
A word of warning - there is only one remotely "PH Appropriate" vehicle out of the lot, so feel free to scroll down and ignore everything until you see some arden blue!
It all started at the tender age of 17, learning with my mum (an ex driving instructor) in my 1.2 Fiat Punto S 60.
My mum's trust in my driving was made clear from the outset when she refused to teach me without having dual controls fitted to the car! I guess old driving instructor habits die hard
It did provide an "amusing" moment further down the line (after having passed) when my mate got his foot stuck under the brake on his side as I tried to stop. Luckily we were on a field at the time with nothing in front of us!
Of course the very first morning after passing my test (first time!), sod's law guaranteed some of the worst conditions for my inexperienced self to contend with! Snow and ice covered the roads, but was I going to let that stop me from making my first drive to college? Was I f*ck!
The Punto was a great little first car, had no problems with it. I know to call a Punto great seems rather strange, but it was my first set of wheels and with it came a great sense of freedom. You will all no doubt relate to this and the attachment you get to your first car!
Soon, the time came to take the next step up the vehicular ladder. Enter 1.4 Vauxhall Corsa SRi stage left:
Of course having a newer, nicer car, meant it would have been rude not to treat it to a go-faster Irmscher exhaust. Of course the typical fancy head unit, and 6x9's in a "stealth shelf" were also added. No amp or sub though, money didn't grow on trees
The Corsa afforded me a little extra oomph over the Punto, but still not enough to get me into trouble To be brutally honest, I never really pushed either of the cars hard enough to know what their handling or performance was truly like. In that respect, I guess I was quite a safe/boring driver. Certainly not a stereotypical lose-your-license-within-a-week-of-passing-your-test boy racer by any stretch of the imagination.
Throughout the Corsa ownership, I fell in love with one car and lusted after it for years, while I saved enough money to finally be able to afford one outright. The looks were what got me hooked. I'm a material sucker really, and as far as I was concerned nothing came close and I just had to have one! My Vauxhall Astra VXR:
The performance compared to what I'd been used to was mind blowing. I set about modifying the car to my tastes. A full Remus cat back exhaust, black wheels, debadged, double din satnav and "ICE" install, blue interior led's. I would have liked to go down the performance modifying route eventually, but unexpected events meant that would not happen. More on that shortly.
By this time I'd become more interested in photography, and wanted to get some nice pics of my pride and joy unlike what I'd had for my previous cars. Forgive me then, for a bout of pic whoring...
After years of absolutely LOVING my VXR. The sad day eventually came when I had to sell. I was going travelling for a year, and needed all the money I could get my hands on. I really wish I could have kept her, and have her waiting for me when I returned, but I simply couldn't afford to do so.
Of course, while I missed her immensely - and still do for that matter - what she gave me in terms of the experiences I got through travelling was priceless.
So... upon my return to the UK, I promised myself I would not return to a job that I had become disillusioned with towards the end of my employment, and take my time to try and find something I would genuinely enjoy doing.
Ideas ranging from property development, to plumbing or being an electrician crossed my mind, before finally settling on web development. So that's what I'm currently doing... teaching myself HTML/CSS/Javascript etc, before eventually trying to find a junior position and actually begin earning some (relatively) decent money again! In the meantime, I'm bombing around in a 1.5 Renault Clio Dci 100.
Photo just after picking her up after a train ride to Manchester:
There is actually a reason for the parking sign to be in front of the car here! Another little story you can find more info about on the board if you're so inclined
Obviously I miss the performance of my VXR, but the 100bhp in my Clio means it isn't too slow. And the fuel consumption (trip computer hardly ever drops below 50mpg no matter how much of a hooligan I'm being) is really something else.
It was carefully chosen to mix reasonable performance and fun, with a good degree of money saving in terms of running it. Basically, the ideal car for my current situation, until I'm earning money again and have had a chance to save up for some new metal. I certainly have no intention of spending money on this unnecessarily (beyond the essential of course - she's just had her timing belt and water pump done). That money will be far better spent on my next purchase.
So what does the future bring? Well, unfortunately whatever it does bring will be rather a long way into the future - so for now any nosing around that I'm doing is purely for my entertainment rather than with any serious intentions.
I did have my eye on a nice frozen white Fiesta ST for a while. Then I thought maybe I should just wait longer, save more and take a bigger step up the ladder and go for something more .... prestigious? Perhaps that's the wrong word. But something along the lines of an M badged BMW, an RS? Audi or the like. Interestingly, all my life I've never really been a fan of Mercedes. They just did nothing for me. But having seen (and heard!) the Mercedes C63 AMG I've just fallen in love. Sadly the closest I've actually come to one is via youtube videos, but I'm thinking I need something that brutal in my life. The noise just gives me a semi. But I'm sure you all know that feeling
Thanks for reading and sticking with it see you around the boards.
Oh... I'm in East Sussex (Bexhill) right now, and often found in South/South West London (Croydon/Wimbledon) just fyi
A word of warning - there is only one remotely "PH Appropriate" vehicle out of the lot, so feel free to scroll down and ignore everything until you see some arden blue!
It all started at the tender age of 17, learning with my mum (an ex driving instructor) in my 1.2 Fiat Punto S 60.
My mum's trust in my driving was made clear from the outset when she refused to teach me without having dual controls fitted to the car! I guess old driving instructor habits die hard
It did provide an "amusing" moment further down the line (after having passed) when my mate got his foot stuck under the brake on his side as I tried to stop. Luckily we were on a field at the time with nothing in front of us!Of course the very first morning after passing my test (first time!), sod's law guaranteed some of the worst conditions for my inexperienced self to contend with! Snow and ice covered the roads, but was I going to let that stop me from making my first drive to college? Was I f*ck!
The Punto was a great little first car, had no problems with it. I know to call a Punto great seems rather strange, but it was my first set of wheels and with it came a great sense of freedom. You will all no doubt relate to this and the attachment you get to your first car!
Soon, the time came to take the next step up the vehicular ladder. Enter 1.4 Vauxhall Corsa SRi stage left:
Of course having a newer, nicer car, meant it would have been rude not to treat it to a go-faster Irmscher exhaust. Of course the typical fancy head unit, and 6x9's in a "stealth shelf" were also added. No amp or sub though, money didn't grow on trees
The Corsa afforded me a little extra oomph over the Punto, but still not enough to get me into trouble
To be brutally honest, I never really pushed either of the cars hard enough to know what their handling or performance was truly like. In that respect, I guess I was quite a safe/boring driver. Certainly not a stereotypical lose-your-license-within-a-week-of-passing-your-test boy racer by any stretch of the imagination.Throughout the Corsa ownership, I fell in love with one car and lusted after it for years, while I saved enough money to finally be able to afford one outright. The looks were what got me hooked. I'm a material sucker really, and as far as I was concerned nothing came close and I just had to have one! My Vauxhall Astra VXR:
The performance compared to what I'd been used to was mind blowing. I set about modifying the car to my tastes. A full Remus cat back exhaust, black wheels, debadged, double din satnav and "ICE" install, blue interior led's. I would have liked to go down the performance modifying route eventually, but unexpected events meant that would not happen. More on that shortly.
By this time I'd become more interested in photography, and wanted to get some nice pics of my pride and joy unlike what I'd had for my previous cars. Forgive me then, for a bout of pic whoring...
After years of absolutely LOVING my VXR. The sad day eventually came when I had to sell. I was going travelling for a year, and needed all the money I could get my hands on. I really wish I could have kept her, and have her waiting for me when I returned, but I simply couldn't afford to do so.
Of course, while I missed her immensely - and still do for that matter - what she gave me in terms of the experiences I got through travelling was priceless.
So... upon my return to the UK, I promised myself I would not return to a job that I had become disillusioned with towards the end of my employment, and take my time to try and find something I would genuinely enjoy doing.
Ideas ranging from property development, to plumbing or being an electrician crossed my mind, before finally settling on web development. So that's what I'm currently doing... teaching myself HTML/CSS/Javascript etc, before eventually trying to find a junior position and actually begin earning some (relatively) decent money again! In the meantime, I'm bombing around in a 1.5 Renault Clio Dci 100.
Photo just after picking her up after a train ride to Manchester:
There is actually a reason for the parking sign to be in front of the car here! Another little story you can find more info about on the board if you're so inclined
Obviously I miss the performance of my VXR, but the 100bhp in my Clio means it isn't too slow. And the fuel consumption (trip computer hardly ever drops below 50mpg no matter how much of a hooligan I'm being) is really something else.
It was carefully chosen to mix reasonable performance and fun, with a good degree of money saving in terms of running it. Basically, the ideal car for my current situation, until I'm earning money again and have had a chance to save up for some new metal. I certainly have no intention of spending money on this unnecessarily (beyond the essential of course - she's just had her timing belt and water pump done). That money will be far better spent on my next purchase.
So what does the future bring? Well, unfortunately whatever it does bring will be rather a long way into the future - so for now any nosing around that I'm doing is purely for my entertainment rather than with any serious intentions.
I did have my eye on a nice frozen white Fiesta ST for a while. Then I thought maybe I should just wait longer, save more and take a bigger step up the ladder and go for something more .... prestigious? Perhaps that's the wrong word. But something along the lines of an M badged BMW, an RS? Audi or the like. Interestingly, all my life I've never really been a fan of Mercedes. They just did nothing for me. But having seen (and heard!) the Mercedes C63 AMG I've just fallen in love. Sadly the closest I've actually come to one is via youtube videos, but I'm thinking I need something that brutal in my life. The noise just gives me a semi. But I'm sure you all know that feeling
Thanks for reading and sticking with it
see you around the boards.Oh... I'm in East Sussex (Bexhill) right now, and often found in South/South West London (Croydon/Wimbledon) just fyi
Rfcg said:
Love the original Punto! I have a thing for Italian cars
She got me where I needed to be! Did love that car. Scary now when I think how long ago it was :/ST150HB said:
Astra looked great! Would love to have one however next car has to be family and dog friendly!
Imo it was by far the best looking hot hatch at the time I bought it. After saving for years, ownership definitely didn't disappoint! What cars are you looking at to fit those criteria then?Juanco20 said:
Love the Astra, where did it allow you to go travelling?
Any luck getting the fine overturned?
I went to SE Asia, Australia, New Zealand, New York for a year. Amazing time, but came at a high price (literally!). I'm still waiting to hear back on the parking fine. Fingers crossed.Any luck getting the fine overturned?
mwstewart said:
Nice write up, Luke. All of your cars look to be kept in great condition.
Thanks. I try my best! It's actually my character, I can't stand things being untidy/unclean/unorganised. Have to keep them in the best condition possible!BorkFactor said:
Good write up - sounds quite similar to my first driving experiences! Not pushing my cars hard, and encountering a horrible winter just after passing my test...
Astra VXR was lovely, always liked them
It's frustrating when all you want to do is enjoy driving your car, but the weather is conspiring against you!Astra VXR was lovely, always liked them
Hopefully, the VXR still is lovely... the guy who bought her off me is on another forum actually, may check in and see how he's getting on.
ST150HB said:
Astra looked great! Would love to have one however next car has to be family and dog friendly!
Imo it was by far the best looking hot hatch at the time I bought it. After saving for years, ownership definitely didn't disappoint! What cars are you looking at to fit those criteria then?ETA: Not very good with replying to quoted parts on here!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff