Shedtastic!

[nipsips]

So after the disaster of my 9-3 Aero spitting an ECU and a turbo it was either spend over £1000 or buy another car.

Decided to do it properly this time so went onto Autotrader and picked out a couple of local cars to me that weren't either a Xsara Picasso, Clio, Fusion or Meriva (think that's all that's for sale in Suffolk). Always liked my Vectra B for its simplicity and easy fixable ness so went to look at a X20XEV. Forgot how bad they were. Then back onto Autotrader and theres just sod all out there that wont bork for sub 1k. Trouble is most cars in this budget are bought by a dealer as a trade in for £500, had sod all done to them and then chucked on a less than desirable forecourt somewhere for double the price. Been bitten by that before so ventured onto Gumtree.

First think I found was a Focus that had just been added. 51 plate 2.0 Zetec in blue with sensible miles and tax and MOT. Thought it was worth a look so nipped 16 miles down the road.

Turns out the guy had owned it from new, full history from a local dealer, relatively clean but in desperate need of a clean. Couldnt refuse it and cost less than 1k! Only downside is a short MOT.

So 1 month on and all its needed so far is a thermostat housing, and a wishbone as the ball joint had far too much play in it and it now has a years ticket! Treated it to an oil and filter change and a clean today so should be good to go. Total outlay with the MOT is around £1k so im happy.

Best shed I could find! (in fact its possibly too good to be a shed).

[BarringtonL]

Nice. These still look quite fresh. My old Megane of the same age looked about 10 years older compared to the focus. They're a good drive too.

[jdwoodbury]

Thermostat housing is a weak spot, my wife had one when I met her, she bought it with 1k on the clock and ran it to 40k without ever servicing it or checking anything! Tough old bus the Focus ;-)

[nipsips]

Yeah they are - I was going to change it just for peace of mind but it decided that for me by spitting coolant everywhere.

Do quite fancy a leather upgrade in it tbh.

[londonbabe]

jdwoodbury said:

Thermostat housing is a weak spot, my wife had one when I met her

Your wife had a thermostat housing?

[Hooli]

That's not a shed, it's a new car!

[nipsips]

To be fair to it - I feel like I've got a bargain for the condition and mileage. It drives spot on, and it doesnt even rattle inside! Few minor issues which I'll sort like blown speakers and stuff.

[nipsips]

So today consisted of changing the steering wheel for a non "melted" example, new speaker, 6 speed wiper stalk and Ghia maplights. Slow progress but hopefully should be a good example when I've finished with it.