My car history and latest acquisition (pic heavy)
Discussion
Having finally taken some photos of my latest car I thought I would make a thread of my car history to date.
During the second year of Uni I finally had enough time and money to pass my test. Three days later I got on the bus and went to buy my first car, a 1995 Fiesta Si 1.6. This was a great little car, small & light with fantastic buckety seats and a grunty little 1.6l 16V twin cam engine to punt it along. To me at the time it felt rocket propelled and it really did go quite well. I don't have many great pictures of it but here it is:
Many happy miles and experiences were had before it started breaking so often I had sense of humour failure with it. After two years (at the age of 21) I then went and bought my Clio 182.
This was a fantastic car. For 3 years and over 30k miles it performed faultlessly and was a joy to drive. For me the 182 is the best hot hatch ever made, it took all the ingredients of the best early hot hatches and made them even better. After the 182 the Clio became fat and heavy and just lost any appeal to me.
This car did two European roadtrips, probably over 5000 miles in total and performed faultlessly. I should probably never have sold this car as it was the best car I ever owned
.
After 18 months or so of owning the Clio I finally succumbed to the lure of a big V8 barge and added this to the fleet: a 1988 Mercedes 560 SEC in LA pimp white with chocolate leather
. It was a truly decadent thing, sumptuous comfort with electric everything and a stonking V8 engine. 300bhp is a lot even now given the car weighed 1750kg which isn't so far off many hatchbacks nowadays. In 1988 it must have been otherworldly, it had some serious go for such a barge. When the exhaust rotted out I got a full custom stainless system built for it which emitted a lovely rumble at idle and a truly filthy noise at full chat.
After a while I realised I wanted a 4x4 and there was only one choice, the daddy of them all. This was then added to the fleet (bringing it to 3), my 1995 Landcruiser HDJ80 4.2td manual. These really are the king of 4x4s, the axles are the strongest fitted to any regular passenger 4x4, triple locking differentials and everything built to an agricultural level of indestructibility. The 4.2td engine is completely different to a regular car diesel, it might be only rated at about 170bhp but it makes that power at a little over 2000rpm and will happily run flat out all day for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Unfortunately I was in too much of a rush to buy one and mine wasn't the best example ever, it had clearly seen a lot of abuse. Nevertheless it was a beast of a vehicle and we went quite a few miles together, including round the pyrenees and right across France.
Towards the end of the summer of 2013 I was coming to the sad realisation that this fleet was costing me an enormous and unsustainable amount of money and something had to be done. Over the next few months I sold all three and started looking for my next wagon, I wanted a big 4x4 as I really like them, I first looked at 100 series Landcruiser amazons, then tried a Jeep Commander. The diesel one was excellent but then I tried the petrol one they also had which unfortunately turned out to be even better.
A bout of weapons grade excel man-maths ensued after which I had proved that the V8 was in fact the sensible answer and I bought this: a Jeep Commander 5.7 Hemi Limited.
This was a magnificently ridiculous car, it did 0-60 in 7.2s (as fast as a 4.2 supercharged Range Rover) with no effort or talent whatsover yet was supremely comfortable, quiet and refined. It could also do some serious offroading when required and had all the practicality of a big 4x4. Much pleasure was had wafting around in it and childishly out-dragging angry diesel drivers .
After a few months I realised that a mistake had been made in the man-maths: I was not doing 8-10000 miles a year, in fact I was well on course for 20000 miles a year. At the consistent 18mpg the Jeep was averaging that was an awful lot of petrol, plus the £490 tax and servicing with special very expensive oil etc etc. This meant it had to go hence the purchase of my current car: a Mk5 Golf GTI.
This was purchased after doing some actual maths (rather than man-maths) and compared to the various other options under consideration it seemed the best compromise of desire/cost/practicality. I really like it so far, it is all the car you need and nothing you don't. The performance is strong but not ballistic, the grip on its new Pilot Sport 3s is excellent, the handling seems pretty good so far, the interior space is outstanding and on the motorway it is extremely good (after fitting cruise control).
The Golf is doing everything I really need a car to do and actually allowing me to save some money which is nice. It will be going on my summer roadtrip in August and hopefully fitted with winter tyres and taken skiing this winter. If I can source some Monza 17s to replace the 18s then I shall be doing that but otherwise it will be remaining completely standard.
So that's my car history from age 19 to 25, somewhat eclectic but they've all been great fun in different ways. If you've got this far then thanks for reading.
During the second year of Uni I finally had enough time and money to pass my test. Three days later I got on the bus and went to buy my first car, a 1995 Fiesta Si 1.6. This was a great little car, small & light with fantastic buckety seats and a grunty little 1.6l 16V twin cam engine to punt it along. To me at the time it felt rocket propelled and it really did go quite well. I don't have many great pictures of it but here it is:
Many happy miles and experiences were had before it started breaking so often I had sense of humour failure with it. After two years (at the age of 21) I then went and bought my Clio 182.
This was a fantastic car. For 3 years and over 30k miles it performed faultlessly and was a joy to drive. For me the 182 is the best hot hatch ever made, it took all the ingredients of the best early hot hatches and made them even better. After the 182 the Clio became fat and heavy and just lost any appeal to me.
This car did two European roadtrips, probably over 5000 miles in total and performed faultlessly. I should probably never have sold this car as it was the best car I ever owned
.After 18 months or so of owning the Clio I finally succumbed to the lure of a big V8 barge and added this to the fleet: a 1988 Mercedes 560 SEC in LA pimp white with chocolate leather
. It was a truly decadent thing, sumptuous comfort with electric everything and a stonking V8 engine. 300bhp is a lot even now given the car weighed 1750kg which isn't so far off many hatchbacks nowadays. In 1988 it must have been otherworldly, it had some serious go for such a barge. When the exhaust rotted out I got a full custom stainless system built for it which emitted a lovely rumble at idle and a truly filthy noise at full chat.After a while I realised I wanted a 4x4 and there was only one choice, the daddy of them all. This was then added to the fleet (bringing it to 3), my 1995 Landcruiser HDJ80 4.2td manual. These really are the king of 4x4s, the axles are the strongest fitted to any regular passenger 4x4, triple locking differentials and everything built to an agricultural level of indestructibility. The 4.2td engine is completely different to a regular car diesel, it might be only rated at about 170bhp but it makes that power at a little over 2000rpm and will happily run flat out all day for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Unfortunately I was in too much of a rush to buy one and mine wasn't the best example ever, it had clearly seen a lot of abuse. Nevertheless it was a beast of a vehicle and we went quite a few miles together, including round the pyrenees and right across France.
Towards the end of the summer of 2013 I was coming to the sad realisation that this fleet was costing me an enormous and unsustainable amount of money and something had to be done. Over the next few months I sold all three and started looking for my next wagon, I wanted a big 4x4 as I really like them, I first looked at 100 series Landcruiser amazons, then tried a Jeep Commander. The diesel one was excellent but then I tried the petrol one they also had which unfortunately turned out to be even better.
A bout of weapons grade excel man-maths ensued after which I had proved that the V8 was in fact the sensible answer and I bought this: a Jeep Commander 5.7 Hemi Limited.
This was a magnificently ridiculous car, it did 0-60 in 7.2s (as fast as a 4.2 supercharged Range Rover) with no effort or talent whatsover yet was supremely comfortable, quiet and refined. It could also do some serious offroading when required and had all the practicality of a big 4x4. Much pleasure was had wafting around in it and childishly out-dragging angry diesel drivers .
After a few months I realised that a mistake had been made in the man-maths: I was not doing 8-10000 miles a year, in fact I was well on course for 20000 miles a year. At the consistent 18mpg the Jeep was averaging that was an awful lot of petrol, plus the £490 tax and servicing with special very expensive oil etc etc. This meant it had to go hence the purchase of my current car: a Mk5 Golf GTI.
This was purchased after doing some actual maths (rather than man-maths) and compared to the various other options under consideration it seemed the best compromise of desire/cost/practicality. I really like it so far, it is all the car you need and nothing you don't. The performance is strong but not ballistic, the grip on its new Pilot Sport 3s is excellent, the handling seems pretty good so far, the interior space is outstanding and on the motorway it is extremely good (after fitting cruise control).
The Golf is doing everything I really need a car to do and actually allowing me to save some money which is nice. It will be going on my summer roadtrip in August and hopefully fitted with winter tyres and taken skiing this winter. If I can source some Monza 17s to replace the 18s then I shall be doing that but otherwise it will be remaining completely standard.
So that's my car history from age 19 to 25, somewhat eclectic but they've all been great fun in different ways. If you've got this far then thanks for reading.
shalmaneser said:
Interesting fleet, although that Jeep Hemi is hideous!
It isn't a vision of sleek automotive beauty no, but it was very nice to drive and looks don't matter when you're sat in it! There is something very comical about a car that looks like that going quite so fast, nobody expects it at all.Thanks for the positive comments.
.
aka_kerrly said:
The Mercedes is class, I've been tempted by them a few times mostly as I love the pillarless look, a 300CE also appeals for the same reason but without quite such extreme running costs.
The Golf is as you say an excellent all rounder, plus tornado red looks great!
The Mercedes is a quality car, the pillarless windows are lovely on a sunny day and the sliding sunroof makes it even better (apart from the leaks). The running costs aren't as extreme as you might imagine, obviously a 5.6l V8 auto from the 80s is never going to be frugal but I averaged 22-23 mpg and once managed 25 on a long slow motorway cruise. Parts are all available from Mercedes, some reasonably priced and some not so reasonable but they are mechanically reliable and fairly solid body-wise apart from some rusting arches.The Golf is as you say an excellent all rounder, plus tornado red looks great!
iacabu said:
Very interesting collection there. Definitely like the Merc and Landcruiser. Never been keen on the body of the Commander but I guess the engine makes up for it.
lewisf182 said:
Interesting history so far! Very varied. Love the commander, it does look hideous but you just would not expect a 5.7 hemi in there! Must have sounded decent too.
The commander does look rather like a ghastly mummy bus but unlike most it is a properly capable off-roader and goes like a sports car! It isn't loud but when given the beans made rather a tasty rumble.ST150HB said:
Golf looks tidy! Love how your man maths have worked so far!
The Golf is indeed a very nice example. Man maths is a real problem for me and has caused no end of damage to my back account .Well the Golf is still proving itself to be excellent. The 18" wheels have been replaced by 17" with Goodyear Asymmetric 2s which has improved the ride, reduced road noise and made me less paranoid about kerbing them. I've now driven it over 12,000 miles and it has been faultless, comfy and relaxing when you want it to be and a giggle when not. It also took three people on a road trip round Europe right down the the Italian Riviera which was great.
A few weeks back I was walking to the beach and I spotted this in someones driveway with a for sale notice in the window. It had 7 months MOT, seemed clean and drove well so it seemed rude not to buy it even though I have no need for it. For the mighty sum of £275 this beast is now mine:
I've been using it as my local pottering around car and it's a great little thing for the price. It has Goodyear tyres all round and runs really sweetly. Everything works apart from the rev counter and I think it was an absolute bargain. It is for sale to the first person that gives me enough to make a little profit as due to the following events I now have three cars again
.
Yesterday my brother asked me if I wanted to accompany him to the auctions as he was on the lookout for a 4x4 or project car of some kind. I thought it would be fun so along we went and I spotted a very nice looking Hilux in the lot. It duly came through and seemed to run really well, he didn't want to start the bidding at which point I may have lost my common sense and started bidding on it myself. One thing led to another and voila, I am now the proud owner of this beast:
It's a 1996 Toyota Hilux Surf 3.0td manual (Gen 3). Being from an auction I had no idea what it would be like and took a gamble but it's actually brilliant! It's in lovely condition inside and out and drives superbly. There's loads of history, mostly Toyota main dealer including a new clutch and flywheel a few years back, it has General Grabber AT tyres all round, the 4x4 and centre diff lock all work perfectly and it just has that gut feeling of being a good'un. I'll leave you lot to guess how much I paid for it but suffice to say I couldn't be more chuffed so far.
I had no intention at all of coming home with a car for me but never mind, it was an amusing experience and now that's my winter transport sorted
.
A few weeks back I was walking to the beach and I spotted this in someones driveway with a for sale notice in the window. It had 7 months MOT, seemed clean and drove well so it seemed rude not to buy it even though I have no need for it. For the mighty sum of £275 this beast is now mine:
I've been using it as my local pottering around car and it's a great little thing for the price. It has Goodyear tyres all round and runs really sweetly. Everything works apart from the rev counter and I think it was an absolute bargain. It is for sale to the first person that gives me enough to make a little profit as due to the following events I now have three cars again
.Yesterday my brother asked me if I wanted to accompany him to the auctions as he was on the lookout for a 4x4 or project car of some kind. I thought it would be fun so along we went and I spotted a very nice looking Hilux in the lot. It duly came through and seemed to run really well, he didn't want to start the bidding at which point I may have lost my common sense and started bidding on it myself. One thing led to another and voila, I am now the proud owner of this beast:
It's a 1996 Toyota Hilux Surf 3.0td manual (Gen 3). Being from an auction I had no idea what it would be like and took a gamble but it's actually brilliant! It's in lovely condition inside and out and drives superbly. There's loads of history, mostly Toyota main dealer including a new clutch and flywheel a few years back, it has General Grabber AT tyres all round, the 4x4 and centre diff lock all work perfectly and it just has that gut feeling of being a good'un. I'll leave you lot to guess how much I paid for it but suffice to say I couldn't be more chuffed so far.
I had no intention at all of coming home with a car for me but never mind, it was an amusing experience and now that's my winter transport sorted
.0a said:
What a lovely merc - tell us more please, and pics of the interior would be great!
Mmmm, chocolate brown leather and wood
. Also Whitesnake CD for period tunage.
5.6l of V8 goodness:
The W126 is a magnificent car, they feel like they've been hewn from a solid block of steel. Most cars panels feel a bit flimsy sound hollow when you tap them, the W126 feels and sounds like tapping a bank van. Mine had a few issues, the sunroof leaked a bit and stuck open once and it was slightly prone to overheating but it drove great. As a 22yr old guy rumbling around in this I certainly got some confused looks.
That Fiesta looks great! I love the untrimmed steel wheels, I miss those days. Mine was looking somewhat rusty years ago but yours looks amazingly clean for a 90s Ford.
In other news I took an hour off work today to do the cambelt on the Hilux. Took 45 minutes from start to finish and the kit was £60. Old Toyotas are brilliant.
In other news I took an hour off work today to do the cambelt on the Hilux. Took 45 minutes from start to finish and the kit was £60
. Old Toyotas are brilliant.Well I went to try a car yesterday and predictably I now have a serious case of the wants so the Golf is up for sale. It has been really excellent and saved me loads of money compared to the previous fleet but will hopefully soon be making way for a bigger, noisier V8 powered replacement 
. The current fuel prices seem as good an excuse as I'm likely to find 
.
. The current fuel prices seem as good an excuse as I'm likely to find .This weekend I sold the Golf and picked up its replacement:
Little helper assisting with photography:
To the casual observer it looks just like every other Audi repmobile, the colour is even rather grey when it's cloudy (though it's actually more blue when the sun is out). It is however a somewhat rare and pleasing version:
That is the later 4.2l direct injection V8 which produces 350PS (~345bhp), 440Nm of torque and lots of deliciously dirty noises. It is an SE spec car so the suspension has springs instead of S-line bricks and relatively sensible size wheels making the ride really rather nice.
The interior is beautiful, acres of leather, wood, quality carpet and buttons. Of course it has all the toys and gadgets including front and rear 6-level heated seats, Bose sound system and automatic electric everything.
So far I'm loving it. I was expecting it to be almost silent but that V8 sounds gorgeous and the 6-speed auto and Quattro system make going very quickly totally effortless. The fuel economy even seems pretty good so far, 30mpg+ on longish trips is completely achievable. Bring on the barging
.
Little helper assisting with photography:
To the casual observer it looks just like every other Audi repmobile, the colour is even rather grey when it's cloudy (though it's actually more blue when the sun is out). It is however a somewhat rare and pleasing version:
That is the later 4.2l direct injection V8 which produces 350PS (~345bhp), 440Nm of torque and lots of deliciously dirty noises. It is an SE spec car so the suspension has springs instead of S-line bricks and relatively sensible size wheels making the ride really rather nice.
The interior is beautiful, acres of leather, wood, quality carpet and buttons. Of course it has all the toys and gadgets including front and rear 6-level heated seats, Bose sound system and automatic electric everything.
So far I'm loving it. I was expecting it to be almost silent but that V8 sounds gorgeous and the 6-speed auto and Quattro system make going very quickly totally effortless. The fuel economy even seems pretty good so far, 30mpg+ on longish trips is completely achievable. Bring on the barging
.joshc said:
What made you get rid of the Golf in the end? Just interested in knowing your reasons for the Audi as I have no idea what my next car may be, as I am tempted by both the Golf GTI but also saloons and 4x4s too.
The Golf was great and I would totally recommend one as a consummate all-rounder, I just wanted a big comfy automatic and have a weakness for V8s. I wanted a car that could put all of its power down at any speed in any weather too so was after AWD, hence the Audi.Well I've decided to go to Iceland for my summer holiday this year, this requires a more knobbly sort of machine than my Audi so a purchase was made: another Landcruiser 80 4.2td manual. This one is much like the other one except it's A: less beaten and abused, B: not rusty and C: Everything works properly. This is the first and only photo I actually have of it taken this weekend doing a spot of boating:
Professional load stowage I'm sure you'll agree, glossing over the fact that the doors were then tied shut so entry and exit had to be done Dukes of Hazzard style through the windows.
So far it's great, I've fixed a couple of little niggles, done some preventative work, got some steelies with tough knobbly tyres on and it's pretty much all ready for its expedition to the land of Ice and Fire!
In other news the Audi is still great, returning very good fuel economy for a big V8 barge and soothing out the kinks on those long motorway cruises.
Professional load stowage I'm sure you'll agree, glossing over the fact that the doors were then tied shut so entry and exit had to be done Dukes of Hazzard style through the windows.
So far it's great, I've fixed a couple of little niggles, done some preventative work, got some steelies with tough knobbly tyres on and it's pretty much all ready for its expedition to the land of Ice and Fire!
In other news the Audi is still great, returning very good fuel economy for a big V8 barge and soothing out the kinks on those long motorway cruises.
marky911 said:
I take it your new camera is a drone? Or you've just bought the world's longest selfie stick. 
Great mix of cars you've had.
Yes it is Great mix of cars you've had.
. I'm going to Iceland fairly soon and also planning to do some car related filming so a flying camera seemed like a sensible(ish) investment.r129sl said:
I think that Audi is a super cool car. Invisible. Comfortable. And devastatingly fast.
Might get a drone.
Edit: but not that one!!!
Might get a drone.
Edit: but not that one!!!
Edited by r129sl on Tuesday 16th June 12:00
It couldn't be any more anonymous among the sea of S-Line TDIs and it draws zero attention to itself (although it makes a silly noise when trodden on). It's a surprisingly good steer for a luxobarge when you want it to be and when you're not in the mood it's comfy, economical and just a really nice place to be.
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