PH, please talk me OUT of a 205 GTI
Discussion
So this emerged on Auto Trader last night just three miles away:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
And of course, it's hugely tempting, especially given that some low mileage 205s are going for £6k+ now. However, circumstances currently aren't exactly in my favour and wanted to seek some knowledgeable advice...
- The first problem is work. Whilst I'm doing some car scribbling from home (hopefully you've seen by name at the bottom of some PH stuff recently), I also have to deliver pizzas to earn some pennies. And it's a car killer! My Focus has already accumulated dents and scratches, and it must be hard on gearboxes and clutches etc. Also, as winter approaches, modern ventilation and lighting will probably be of huge advantage
- It's been in storage for three years. I've no experience of the effects of this on a car but taking it from there into regular use can't be the best thing to do?
- My mechanical knowledge is limited at best and, whilst I would love to invest some money into something like a GTI, I can't afford to have it off the road for long periods of time if it will be unreliable.
- And I've had to pay to fix the Focus quite recently so feel like I should get some use from that.
Even writing this I feel like the right option would be to man up and take the plunge. But I've lost money on cars I've not wanted before and don't want this to be another! The great times would be great, but how awful would the bad ones be? Am I mad to consider using a dry-stored 205 to deliver pizzas? Am I mad to have not snapped it up already? Thoughts please!
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
And of course, it's hugely tempting, especially given that some low mileage 205s are going for £6k+ now. However, circumstances currently aren't exactly in my favour and wanted to seek some knowledgeable advice...
- The first problem is work. Whilst I'm doing some car scribbling from home (hopefully you've seen by name at the bottom of some PH stuff recently), I also have to deliver pizzas to earn some pennies. And it's a car killer! My Focus has already accumulated dents and scratches, and it must be hard on gearboxes and clutches etc. Also, as winter approaches, modern ventilation and lighting will probably be of huge advantage
- It's been in storage for three years. I've no experience of the effects of this on a car but taking it from there into regular use can't be the best thing to do?
- My mechanical knowledge is limited at best and, whilst I would love to invest some money into something like a GTI, I can't afford to have it off the road for long periods of time if it will be unreliable.
- And I've had to pay to fix the Focus quite recently so feel like I should get some use from that.
Even writing this I feel like the right option would be to man up and take the plunge. But I've lost money on cars I've not wanted before and don't want this to be another! The great times would be great, but how awful would the bad ones be? Am I mad to consider using a dry-stored 205 to deliver pizzas? Am I mad to have not snapped it up already? Thoughts please!
davepoth said:
I have a mate who put himself through university by delivering pizzas in a 205 GTI.
DO IT.
In 1994, no doubt! These days, I'm not sure the £550 205 GTi is the best option for this. OP, is there no chance of keeping the Focus and using the 205 as a second car? Get it fixed up and looking good?DO IT.
Baryonyx said:
In 1994, no doubt! These days, I'm not sure the £550 205 GTi is the best option for this. OP, is there no chance of keeping the Focus and using the 205 as a second car? Get it fixed up and looking good?
2002 if memory serves, and I think it was on an F reg, so it would have been 14 years old or so. It was a ratty example as well.Thanks for the input! I don't have the space to cherish it as a 2nd car, much though I'd love to. It is encouraging to see examples being used as daily drivers but suspect they may be easier miles than pizza delivery miles...
What about the years in storage? 3 years seems a long while to be stood still. Almost wish I'd never bloody looked on AT now, it's unbelievably tempting.
What about the years in storage? 3 years seems a long while to be stood still. Almost wish I'd never bloody looked on AT now, it's unbelievably tempting.
Matt Bird said:
Thanks for the input! I don't have the space to cherish it as a 2nd car, much though I'd love to. It is encouraging to see examples being used as daily drivers but suspect they may be easier miles than pizza delivery miles...
What about the years in storage? 3 years seems a long while to be stood still. Almost wish I'd never bloody looked on AT now, it's unbelievably tempting.
Buy it What about the years in storage? 3 years seems a long while to be stood still. Almost wish I'd never bloody looked on AT now, it's unbelievably tempting.
Or I will.Matt Bird said:
Thanks for the input! I don't have the space to cherish it as a 2nd car, much though I'd love to. It is encouraging to see examples being used as daily drivers but suspect they may be easier miles than pizza delivery miles...
What about the years in storage? 3 years seems a long while to be stood still. Almost wish I'd never bloody looked on AT now, it's unbelievably tempting.
It is a while, so there are things to check. It's likely that all the rubber bits on the car will be scrap, so budget for four new tyres. Also you'll need to look at all the rubber hoses (fuel, coolant, possibly brake and clutch). I think a GTI has a cambelt, so that will probably want doing too.What about the years in storage? 3 years seems a long while to be stood still. Almost wish I'd never bloody looked on AT now, it's unbelievably tempting.
Matt Bird said:
Thanks for the input! I don't have the space to cherish it as a 2nd car, much though I'd love to. It is encouraging to see examples being used as daily drivers but suspect they may be easier miles than pizza delivery miles...
What about the years in storage? 3 years seems a long while to be stood still. Almost wish I'd never bloody looked on AT now, it's unbelievably tempting.
Mine was stood for 4 years it needed a battery ,suspention link also the brakes needed a good service as they were seized on after all that it got through the mot no problems.What about the years in storage? 3 years seems a long while to be stood still. Almost wish I'd never bloody looked on AT now, it's unbelievably tempting.
Edit: forgot to add I also had the cambelt and waterpump done as precaution
Edited by petrolsniffer on Sunday 14th October 16:13
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