My name's Matt....
Discussion
...and I can stop buying cars 
Quick introduction to my car history.
September 2003 and I had finally managed to save up to buy a brand new MINI Cooper. I entered the showroom with my pot of hard earned to buy a One, yet came out with a tasty spec Cooper. Plan was to keep it a year before buying something more sensible inkeeping with the student lifestyle
Two and a half years, 42,000 miles and a number of European trips later I sold it for a 10mth old Cooper S. A few mods later I had it how I wanted to look and begun to pile on 20,000 miles pa for work.
April 2007 the MINI mileage was getting very high for the age so I "invested" in a commuting car for my 60 mile commute and planned to keep the MINI. This E34 525i Touring manual cost 400 quid but had 202,000 miles. The handling on mine was pants, and the engine felt down on power but I took it to 230,000 with no fuss in utmost comfort. I loved it and it felt bulletproof yet averaged over 30mpg in my ownership.
May 2009 saw me buy a house and the same week I decided I would treat the E34 to a thermostat change as it was stuck open. Despite taking it to a specialist this went wrong a couple of times and it continued to chuck its coolant everywhere.
Fustrated I browsed ebay and bought a mint X-plate 530iA SE with 142,000 on the clock and loads of work done. Ran like new. As soon as the deposit was left I had an apologetic call from the BMW indy saying they had cocked up (twice) and the E34 was back to running like new. Good news but a problem.
I couldn't keep three cars (mini still with me) so had to sell one. E34 was virtually worthless, E39 I hadn't even picked up yet and the mini was my favourite. New house, and lack of use saw me decide to cash the mini in.
Now I owned two old BMW's. Worked well, commuting was in the E39, short trips and dumping car somewhere I used the E34.
However after 6mths I decided this was a bit pointless. If I could find something that cost no more than the E34 yet was fun then this would make sense.
The E34 went for 750 quid and 28,000 trouble free miles and in came an Integra Type-R. Chassis Number 1 no less. Would not depreciate and had similar MPG and running costs to the old BMW is what I had convinced myself. Alas it proved true.
October 2009 saw my car buying slow down. The E39 racked up the miles quickly and the Honda was the fun car used when I could. A trip to the Ring was the highlight aswell as countless B-road blasts.
April 2010 saw running costs of 3.0 petol doing 20,000 per year take its toll. Cue an LPG conversion which today, 23,000 miles later I have broken even on and been a great experiment.
July 2010 my Dad and I decided we needed a joint car for tip runs so our 1000 quid search ended up with a speculative 3300 quid bid for a 2004 54 Passat Highline Estate on world cup final night and saw us venturing to deepest darkest Wales a week later to pick it up. A bit over budget but great value nonetheless and the E34's shoes (almost) filled.
February 2011 came and I fancied a fun car I could abuse (the Teg is a dry day car only!). ebay searching begun and I bought a mechanically solid honest MX-5, even if the bodywork was not great (even worse than I had thought).
I loved the concept but never gelled. It had cheap tyres and didn't handle as it should. When a friend offered me another Mk1 with straight through exhaust, fully adjustable suspension, loads of work done and in far better nic for 575 I could not say no!
The red MX-5 went straight on ebay and despite putting 2000 miles on it and ripping the roof got almost all the money back. As I sit here today I have been paid and it will be collected tomorrow.
Last weekend saw a flash of madness. I had had enough of old cars and the BMW had some niggles. I missed my MINIs too but also loved toys and gadgets that I had in the BMW (leather, nav, phone etc).
So I have just put a deposit down on a 60 plate Cooper S with lots of nice toys and will try newer with warranty again for a bit.
This means the BMW is going, with 185,000 on the clock its done well and drives like new, and is cheap to run due to LPG. But had enough of a slipping clutch in reverse, a broken radio and another 'stat stuck open.
The white MX-5 has been with me for a fortnight, so this must stay as will the Passat until the new year & the Integra.
Its crazy the amount of time and effort going into buying, selling and maintaining but worth every minute.
If you want anymore details on any cars give me a shout!
Quick introduction to my car history.
September 2003 and I had finally managed to save up to buy a brand new MINI Cooper. I entered the showroom with my pot of hard earned to buy a One, yet came out with a tasty spec Cooper. Plan was to keep it a year before buying something more sensible inkeeping with the student lifestyle
Two and a half years, 42,000 miles and a number of European trips later I sold it for a 10mth old Cooper S. A few mods later I had it how I wanted to look and begun to pile on 20,000 miles pa for work.
April 2007 the MINI mileage was getting very high for the age so I "invested" in a commuting car for my 60 mile commute and planned to keep the MINI. This E34 525i Touring manual cost 400 quid but had 202,000 miles. The handling on mine was pants, and the engine felt down on power but I took it to 230,000 with no fuss in utmost comfort. I loved it and it felt bulletproof yet averaged over 30mpg in my ownership.
May 2009 saw me buy a house and the same week I decided I would treat the E34 to a thermostat change as it was stuck open. Despite taking it to a specialist this went wrong a couple of times and it continued to chuck its coolant everywhere.
Fustrated I browsed ebay and bought a mint X-plate 530iA SE with 142,000 on the clock and loads of work done. Ran like new. As soon as the deposit was left I had an apologetic call from the BMW indy saying they had cocked up (twice) and the E34 was back to running like new. Good news but a problem.
I couldn't keep three cars (mini still with me) so had to sell one. E34 was virtually worthless, E39 I hadn't even picked up yet and the mini was my favourite. New house, and lack of use saw me decide to cash the mini in.
Now I owned two old BMW's. Worked well, commuting was in the E39, short trips and dumping car somewhere I used the E34.
However after 6mths I decided this was a bit pointless. If I could find something that cost no more than the E34 yet was fun then this would make sense.
The E34 went for 750 quid and 28,000 trouble free miles and in came an Integra Type-R. Chassis Number 1 no less. Would not depreciate and had similar MPG and running costs to the old BMW is what I had convinced myself. Alas it proved true.
October 2009 saw my car buying slow down. The E39 racked up the miles quickly and the Honda was the fun car used when I could. A trip to the Ring was the highlight aswell as countless B-road blasts.
April 2010 saw running costs of 3.0 petol doing 20,000 per year take its toll. Cue an LPG conversion which today, 23,000 miles later I have broken even on and been a great experiment.
July 2010 my Dad and I decided we needed a joint car for tip runs so our 1000 quid search ended up with a speculative 3300 quid bid for a 2004 54 Passat Highline Estate on world cup final night and saw us venturing to deepest darkest Wales a week later to pick it up. A bit over budget but great value nonetheless and the E34's shoes (almost) filled.
February 2011 came and I fancied a fun car I could abuse (the Teg is a dry day car only!). ebay searching begun and I bought a mechanically solid honest MX-5, even if the bodywork was not great (even worse than I had thought).
I loved the concept but never gelled. It had cheap tyres and didn't handle as it should. When a friend offered me another Mk1 with straight through exhaust, fully adjustable suspension, loads of work done and in far better nic for 575 I could not say no!
The red MX-5 went straight on ebay and despite putting 2000 miles on it and ripping the roof got almost all the money back. As I sit here today I have been paid and it will be collected tomorrow.
Last weekend saw a flash of madness. I had had enough of old cars and the BMW had some niggles. I missed my MINIs too but also loved toys and gadgets that I had in the BMW (leather, nav, phone etc).
So I have just put a deposit down on a 60 plate Cooper S with lots of nice toys and will try newer with warranty again for a bit.
This means the BMW is going, with 185,000 on the clock its done well and drives like new, and is cheap to run due to LPG. But had enough of a slipping clutch in reverse, a broken radio and another 'stat stuck open.
The white MX-5 has been with me for a fortnight, so this must stay as will the Passat until the new year & the Integra.
Its crazy the amount of time and effort going into buying, selling and maintaining but worth every minute.
If you want anymore details on any cars give me a shout!
Edited by matt21 on Monday 27th June 22:13
wackojacko said:
Top buying fella, I'm looking at buying an 04' Mini Cooper S in a few months.
Good man Edited by wackojacko on Monday 27th June 21:51
Have a look on www.minitorque.com for buying/running/tuning tips etc
matt21 said:
used to be very active on mini2. attended many events, out my system now really.
new cooper S means I may be back on the scene a bit!
Well if you do look out for Carry On Mini'in that our club my classic is normally on the stand somewhere were a club for classic and new toonew cooper S means I may be back on the scene a bit!
Thought i recognised that 'teg from somewhere!
Thanks guys. Red MX-5 now gone for a merry life trotting around London and north of France!
Down to 4, MINI to be collected Saturday but rather than excited really sad that the BMW is off. Will really miss it.
Thinking about the cars I must say the E39 was the best. Nothing I have driven before or after drives as smoothly as this does. Averaging 43mpg equivilent since going gas I can ask no more. It has felt a tad more fragile than the E34 but massively more modern.
The Teg is the best for balls out fun and suprisingly economical with the way its driven. The E34 was the best value car and my mate is still running it 2yrs on without a hitch on 240,000. Great car.
However, imo without a shadow of doubt the best looking and sounding car was teh Cooper S. Everytime I look at that pic I posted I want it back!
As for the other cars the red MX-5 won't be missed as the white MX-5 is 10x better (how gay do I sound referring to car colours). For less than 600 quid its bloody awesome. And Passat is dullest by a looooong way but efficient and 50mpg is the norm. Need to keep the old man convinced its an integral part of our fleet!
Down to 4, MINI to be collected Saturday but rather than excited really sad that the BMW is off. Will really miss it.
Thinking about the cars I must say the E39 was the best. Nothing I have driven before or after drives as smoothly as this does. Averaging 43mpg equivilent since going gas I can ask no more. It has felt a tad more fragile than the E34 but massively more modern.
The Teg is the best for balls out fun and suprisingly economical with the way its driven. The E34 was the best value car and my mate is still running it 2yrs on without a hitch on 240,000. Great car.
However, imo without a shadow of doubt the best looking and sounding car was teh Cooper S. Everytime I look at that pic I posted I want it back!
As for the other cars the red MX-5 won't be missed as the white MX-5 is 10x better (how gay do I sound referring to car colours). For less than 600 quid its bloody awesome. And Passat is dullest by a looooong way but efficient and 50mpg is the norm. Need to keep the old man convinced its an integral part of our fleet!
wackojacko said:
Top buying fella, I'm looking at buying an 04' Mini Cooper S in a few months.
Mine might be for sale soon if you're interested. Edited by wackojacko on Monday 27th June 21:51
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Matt, Love the Teg... It looks stunning.
Interesting list of cars. You're like me, going from practical to fun to practical and fun...
Yeah, always found mini did a good all round job. Not that uncomfy (ditch runflats), quick, great fun and seat down fit a suprising amount in.
But, truth be told, my ideal garage would have something comfy everyday with gadgets galore, something mental in the garage, something estate like for dumping places and taking things to the tip and a fun run around.
Kind of there at the moment, just wish they were Jag XJ, 911 GT3 RS, RS6 and maybe a Cooper S to potter around in
But, truth be told, my ideal garage would have something comfy everyday with gadgets galore, something mental in the garage, something estate like for dumping places and taking things to the tip and a fun run around.
Kind of there at the moment, just wish they were Jag XJ, 911 GT3 RS, RS6 and maybe a Cooper S to potter around in
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff