Who has run a car till it's died?
Discussion
2 of my cars have met the scrap yard in the sky.
M,reg Escort paid £500 for it, ran it for 3 years 165k miles on it head gasket went.
R,reg Golf GTI paid £500 for it again with 185k on it lasted me 18 months cambelt snapped offered it for sale twice with no takers so off to the weighbridge she went.
M,reg Escort paid £500 for it, ran it for 3 years 165k miles on it head gasket went.
R,reg Golf GTI paid £500 for it again with 185k on it lasted me 18 months cambelt snapped offered it for sale twice with no takers so off to the weighbridge she went.
Only one I've ever had to scrap was a little van that looked like a Bedford rascal but was only 500cc.
Either the water pump or the thermostat went, either way it got that hot that the needle was off the end of the guage and the back was full of smoke.
It got us home and I managed to fire it up a couple of weeks later for its final journey.
Either the water pump or the thermostat went, either way it got that hot that the needle was off the end of the guage and the back was full of smoke.
It got us home and I managed to fire it up a couple of weeks later for its final journey.
I have had a few over the years but the best was an MX5 Mk1. Truly great car but when I sold it was utterly, utterly shagged; for spares. That, believe it or not, was 9 years ago. In my hands It lived it's life on it's door handles. What killed it was knackered gearbox, diff, brakes, exhaust but worst of all.... rust. It was totally rotten.
Best smiles per mile ever.
Will never be forgotten
Best smiles per mile ever.
Will never be forgotten
My Dad used to buy new and run into the ground.
1.1966 Mini lasted until 1975 when I believe it failed on some item of rust and dad got rid.
2. 1976 Allegro estate, lasted until 1986 due to terminal overheating and head gasket, sold as scrap.
3. 1986 Maestro 1.6L lasted until 1995, scrapped due to terminal rust and numerous engine/ starting problems.
Since then I have convinced Dad to buy nearly new, but he still runs into the ground ..... currently he has a 2004 Civic which will probably last longer than the others!
Mike
1.1966 Mini lasted until 1975 when I believe it failed on some item of rust and dad got rid.
2. 1976 Allegro estate, lasted until 1986 due to terminal overheating and head gasket, sold as scrap.
3. 1986 Maestro 1.6L lasted until 1995, scrapped due to terminal rust and numerous engine/ starting problems.
Since then I have convinced Dad to buy nearly new, but he still runs into the ground ..... currently he has a 2004 Civic which will probably last longer than the others!
Mike
redtwin said:
Never run a car until it died or was only fit for scrapping. A Lexus LS400 came close, but a last second Ebay bid saved it.
As much as I am tempted to with my current car, I don't think I could bring myself to neglect/abuse a car to the point where it completely packed up.
There comes a point, however much you like the car, where the repairs cost a lot more than buying another one that is as much fun. It takes balls and common sense and some knowledge to get the point though.As much as I am tempted to with my current car, I don't think I could bring myself to neglect/abuse a car to the point where it completely packed up.
My £600 mk3 golf 1.4 was ran ragged for almost 2 years. Only needed 2 tyres and a few exhaust bodges. It used a bit of oil and water but the steering was knocking, manifold was shagged and the body was rotten. Still had a months tax and mot but I needed the space and was gonna get it scrapped.
In the end I sold it to a neighbour for £150 an it's still going strong(ish) must have 220+k miles on it by now.
In the end I sold it to a neighbour for £150 an it's still going strong(ish) must have 220+k miles on it by now.
I'm trying to do this with a Volvo 940 my parents bought new in 1995, but I'm actually bored of trying to kill it. Someone once said "Volvo's never die, they just get faster" which is very true.
My advice would be, if you want to run something until it dies buy a Fiat. It will be much more obliging!
My advice would be, if you want to run something until it dies buy a Fiat. It will be much more obliging!
All of them have died!
Rover 213S
Bought @ 31,000 miles ran for 5 yrs, died at 115,000
Lots and lots of niggles that weren't financially viable to fix.
Mk2 Golf Driver
Bought @ 72,000 miles ran for 5 yrs, died at 145,000
Killed by being rear ended quite monumentally, at a glance looked OK, but couldn't open the rear doors or boot (still seemed to drive fine tho'...!). I loved this car, it was in beautiful condition, was gutted.
Mk3 Golf GTI 16v
Bought @ 106,000 miles ran for 4.5 yrs, sort of died at 176,000
Bought current car as MoT was about to lapse and electrics started to play up. Was going to keep as track car, but got rid as work became a bit difficult.
Current steed has been mine for three years, reckon will run for another three, when it should be the first car I can sell which still has some value! Toy car is currently on the cards too.
Rover 213S
Bought @ 31,000 miles ran for 5 yrs, died at 115,000
Lots and lots of niggles that weren't financially viable to fix.
Mk2 Golf Driver
Bought @ 72,000 miles ran for 5 yrs, died at 145,000
Killed by being rear ended quite monumentally, at a glance looked OK, but couldn't open the rear doors or boot (still seemed to drive fine tho'...!). I loved this car, it was in beautiful condition, was gutted.
Mk3 Golf GTI 16v
Bought @ 106,000 miles ran for 4.5 yrs, sort of died at 176,000
Bought current car as MoT was about to lapse and electrics started to play up. Was going to keep as track car, but got rid as work became a bit difficult.
Current steed has been mine for three years, reckon will run for another three, when it should be the first car I can sell which still has some value! Toy car is currently on the cards too.
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