The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)

[TCX]

Doubled the sheds value today,new set of tyres, according to we buy any....put reg in for a laugh,where could I find something else reliable for their £250 valuation lol to do 900 miles a week,?

[V6Nelo]

Shedding in Spain is just called “car ownership”.

Stopped for first coffee and this pulled up.

Crusty roof, most trim gone and a few nice dents.

[993kimbo]

ferrisbueller said:

That's true dedication.

Shedication.

[MrGTI6]

993kimbo said:

aaron_2000 said:

Limped the Sierra to familiar ground and left it at a petrol station, I'll go tomorrow, fill it with water and hopefully make it back home to get a belt on it

Brave man to pick it up in the dark. Great colour. Good luck! The Aux belt too failed on my recent fully serviced A6 Audi shed estate in the middle of the High St and caused total traffic carnage.

Edited by 993kimbo on Saturday 23 April 11:54

I lost the aux belt on a 306 D Turbo many years ago. The only warning sign was the battery light on the dash and the lack of power steering. It kept on running, I assume because it had a mechanical fuel pump. The battery retained enough charge to keep me going until that weekend, though I did have to cope without power steering!

[bearman68]

Norton850 said:

My Alfa 156v6 was never going to stay with me long enough to become a shed as i planned to quickly sell it on as it was a bargain when purchased and i really wanted a BMW 330i but after owning it since 2009 (2005 MY) and clocking 64k miles it has cost buttons to run in that time and just seems to hang around.

I do my own cambelt service every 4 years and other than a relay fault giving intermittent indicator issues (awkward to get to), new exhaust,tyres etc it has been very reliable.

Obvious servicing etc has been kept up and has been a joy to own..

Now looking a bit tired and worthless it does make a stylish shed with zero fudges given where I park it and how often it gets washed.

What a car the 156 is (was). Horrendous suspension set up, terrible to work on, but what a shape. What a glorious and lovely car, that I've never quite had the bottle to own, despite doing most of the difficult jobs on them, (inc the air filter every now and again). Tan leather interior would be my highlight choice, and I'd take it in preference to the V6.

[V6Nelo]

Norton850 said:

My Alfa 156v6 was never going to stay with me long enough to become a shed as i planned to quickly sell it on as it was a bargain when purchased and i really wanted a BMW 330i but after owning it since 2009 (2005 MY) and clocking 64k miles it has cost buttons to run in that time and just seems to hang around.

I do my own cambelt service every 4 years and other than a relay fault giving intermittent indicator issues (awkward to get to), new exhaust,tyres etc it has been very reliable.

Obvious servicing etc has been kept up and has been a joy to own..

Now looking a bit tired and worthless it does make a stylish shed with zero fudges given where I park it and how often it gets washed.

Good example of what was said early, one guys shed is another guys pride of joy.

Recently saw a couple of 156s locally that we’re pristine and surely well cared for.

Whilst a gtv not 156 10 years ago I would park on the highest floor of the carpark near work and the furthest spot if had to take it to the supermarket.

Now it has non functioning a/c, chipped windscreen, parked on muddy verges, any parking slots. Feels like a shed but a pretty one that I’d be sad not to own.

Still gets serviced every 6k/year, cambelt, good tyres and brake pads.

[757]

V6Nelo said:

Shedding in Spain is just called “car ownership”.

Stopped for first coffee and this pulled up.

Crusty roof, most trim gone and a few nice dents.

I think mainland Europe have a better grasp of shedding on masse than the UK's tiresome at times, "keeping up appearances" in their new rented metal, rinse, wash and repeat.

Different mindset over there and one I admire, and probably what most sheddist over here admire too.

[anonymous-user]

757 said:

V6Nelo said:

Shedding in Spain is just called “car ownership”.

Stopped for first coffee and this pulled up.

Crusty roof, most trim gone and a few nice dents.

I think mainland Europe have a better grasp of shedding on masse than the UK's tiresome at times, "keeping up appearances" in their new rented metal, rinse, wash and repeat.

Different mindset over there and one I admire, and probably what most sheddist over here admire too.

I agree, been to France and Spain many times, they seem to view a car for what it is, a tool made for a specific purpose not a status symbol to brag about which of course is complete nonsense anyway. But then if we didn't have these aspirational types in the UK then we wouldn't have sheds filtering down the line for us lot to pay next to nothing for when they are seen to be unfashionable and need throwing away.

[A500leroy]

Maybe evs will be good for shedding. As there is nothing else to break, once the batteries can be easily repared/replaced maybe people will keep the basic car for 20+years and just keep updating batteries?

[Ouroboros]

A500leroy said:

Maybe evs will be good for shedding. As there is nothing else to break, once the batteries can be easily repared/replaced maybe people will keep the basic car for 20+years and just keep updating batteries?

the motors are tiny as well. Maybe even better battery tech they become size of the suitcase. Imagine a car shell, and you just keep updating the components and new hardware, would be much better environmentally as well.

[andrebar]

Ouroboros said:

A500leroy said:

Maybe evs will be good for shedding. As there is nothing else to break, once the batteries can be easily repared/replaced maybe people will keep the basic car for 20+years and just keep updating batteries?

the motors are tiny as well. Maybe even better battery tech they become size of the suitcase. Imagine a car shell, and you just keep updating the components and new hardware, would be much better environmentally as well.

Always liked the idea of a lightweight old car with a thoroughly efficient transplanted modern lump. Maybe more of a retirement project idea than something we can expect from the industry.

[bearman68]

A500leroy said:

Maybe evs will be good for shedding. As there is nothing else to break, once the batteries can be easily repared/replaced maybe people will keep the basic car for 20+years and just keep updating batteries?

Completely wrong in my mind. Electric cars will have a shorter useable than an IC engine, simply because of all the tech in them. It's unlikely to be the battery per se that fails, but it will be the 'intelligent charger' and the battery recovery, And a power drain will be a disaster. And look at who's building them. The Germans won't be able to stop themselves over complicating the issue, with tech that is unreliable rubbish that is badly made, and fails at the drop of a hat.
In 10 years many will only be suitable for the scrapper because they won't be repairable and maintainable. IMO of course. But there will still be suspension, and bodywork, and wheel bearings and brakes to replace, so I don't see the maintenance requirement on an EV as much lower than an IC engine.

[anonymous-user]

aaron_2000 said:

Tremendous purchase! I see it's got a 1.8LX badge on the back... that's a mod that'll at least half the 0-60

Glad to see this forum's back to normal. Coincidentally a lot of the schools return tomorrow.

EVs... Bearman's got it right about the German manufacturers over-complicating things. Leaves the door wide-open for the Chinese manufacturers who I'm sure will produce some basic, reliable & functional transport. EVs can be made to be extremely simple & reliable if manufacturers choose to... which the Germans won't, as they'll insist on cramming in 'tech' to justify their silly prices. I'm guessing EVs will assist the demise of the dealer-network, with manufacturers moving more to online sales, regional sites for viewing & test-driving models & for handling servicing requirements (which will be lower (& close to zero for competent DIYers)).
Dealer groups like Arnold you-know-who lost Honda a few years ago (but have one dealer, for now, due to a recent purchase of a dealership in Glasgow). They've just lost Toyota & Ford with rumours of more to come. A bit like mobile-phone retailers, the manufacturers are 'rationalising' their dealer networks, realising that they don't need dealers (who often do them a disservice anyway) to sell their products anymore. Personally I think a revolution in car buying is coming. Daewoo didn't work too well in the 90s but society's changed. I wouldn't want to be a main dealer now. Lots of money tied-up in glass palaces but they're liable to be dropped like a stone if a manufacturer decides.
Going to get my deposit down for a Great Wall now

[aaron_2000]

Romford4 said:

Tremendous purchase! I see it's got a 1.8LX badge on the back... that's a mod that'll at least half the 0-60

Glad to see this forum's back to normal. Coincidentally a lot of the schools return tomorrow.

It was actually originally a 1.8LX, the old guy I got it from converted it to a 2.3D in 2004 when the 1.8 engine started to burn oil. His son sold him his red 2.3D I think for £50. His logic being it could tow his caravan and be cheaper to run.

[Pieman68]

ferrisbueller said:

aaron_2000 said:

Sierra now sorted. Pain to find a belt but it's done and fitted, did a 0-60 run and timed it at 31 seconds against the wind. It doesn't feel underpowered though when you're driving, and the engine really isn't as rough as you'd think it would be. For £1300 it's an interesting shed, dirt cheap to insure and dirt cheap to maintain. I am quite happy with it and it's an old school approach to cheap motoring, it's also ropey enough that I couldn't care less about the bodywork. It's a big old thing, should be a good workhorse.

Great effort.

Sign of a true shed - 2.3d but the boot proudly states 1.8LX

Just seen the explanation after I posted this

Edited by Pieman68 on Monday 25th April 10:09

[RenesisEvo]

A bit of shed life yesterday for my wife's Jazz. It came from the factory with no rear door speakers, just two in the front. I want to able to bias the audio rearward for my little one as playing certain songs calms him down. Prices on eBay for OEM speakers, even from scrap cars, are far more than I am prepared to pay given their mediocre quality, however I lucked upon a set of Honda speakers on facebook marketplace for just £25 (normally would be £60 for a pair). These have been gathering dust in my house for a little while but I've finally attempted fitment. The rear window winders are a swine to get off (you'll need a hook and pick set and some patience - Bluespot tools always good value, eBay for less than a fiver if you look carefully).

Behind the door card is a sticky foam pad over the speaker hole, with the wiring connector stuck to it. Cut away foam pad, connect speaker, screw in, replace door card and voila instant audio upgrade. Except one of the speakers isn't working - the contacts have corroded, it's hard to get a continuity reading on the multi-meter. Once I've addressed that the 3 speaker audio will then be 4. Total outlay thus far, about £30 and some time. And so far sounds quite reasonable - all the better for drowning out the engine

[aaron_2000]

Pieman68 said:

Sign of a true shed - 2.3d but the boot proudly states 1.8LX

Just seen the explanation after I posted this

Edited by Pieman68 on Monday 25th April 10:09

Headlights are from an E reg and half the glass is mismatched, the 11 owners through the mid 90's is curious too

[anonymous-user]

aaron_2000 said:

It was actually originally a 1.8LX, the old guy I got it from converted it to a 2.3D in 2004 when the 1.8 engine started to burn oil. His son sold him his red 2.3D I think for £50. His logic being it could tow his caravan and be cheaper to run.

Not often you hear of someone doing an engine swap to half the performance

Great cars. My cousin had one that my uncle built for him. The front half was an '87 'D'-reg and the back half was an '86 'C'-reg. It was all welded-up as solid as it comes but would probably be the kind of thing that the police stand at the motor-show would have exhibited as a 'cut n shut' death-trap and used it to warn the general public of the dangers of repaired write-offs, ringers, cut n shuts etc. Ended up with a smashed windscreen when a front seat passenger hung out the window to lob a pool ball at someone. He was hanging half-way out the window but his throwing arm was still inside the car and he lobbed it straight into the inside of the windscreen. Alcohol might have been involved. Cue much hilarity. Wouldn't have been as funny these days in a PCP'd up 'premium' barge (with the 4 rings of success obviously).

[993kimbo]

Romford4 said:

He was hanging half-way out the window but his throwing arm was still inside the car and he lobbed it straight into the inside of the windscreen.

[Davie]

Shed pondering continues...

The opportunity to purchase a shed money old Volvo 850 has reared its ugly head... it's all there, bit tired but the right colour, spec and interior and whilst 99% of me is screaming "Leave it Dave, leave it" as it's just hassle I don't need as far as logistics go plus the time to recommission it and then juggle cars around as that'd be me back to three and that's borderline two too many in my wifes eyes and one too many in mine. Plus, it'd technically replace my current sheddy V50 diesel and I'm not sure that sits well with me as it's just too good at being a shed and fulfilling my needs with zero dramas, fuss or hassle.

However...

I think the issue is for years I always had something a bit "different" be it old Cavaliers and latterly, old T-5's and having gotten rid of them when the first born arrived and having been driving rather dull Volvo diesels ever since, I think my inner child still craves something retro and a bit cool... more so as it used to be a hobby and when they went, I found myself with no hobby to speak of at all. I did buy an old previously owned T-5 back but it was rotten and needed so much, then I realised an auto wasn't what I wanted so I sold it... and ever since I've been pouring over the classifieds hoping something would pop up and now that it has, I'm now like "Yes, buy buy buy!" followed by "Nope, step away Dave, step away" and so on.

This one is legal however, ie MOT'd and good to go so that's a huge advantage over the last so I could get it, stick it in my garage and relocate the V50 for a few weeks then assess the 850, put some miles on it, assess the potential spend and then decided whether to offload it or the V50.... least that way I wouldn't be going full retard with no get out of jail free card. My wife has given up, she thinks it's just hassle I don't need but she gets my urge to buy something ill advised and agrees that I seems fed up of the current cars, not as cars as tools... for that they're great but as things to be interested in, they're not. And I don't mean interested as in the opposite of shedding, after all it's no show queen and that's not even what I want but I dunno... I just miss the good old days. Even though I know, they're gone... let them go etc etc.

Shedding probably requires a massive shed to keep all the sheds in...