The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
I've always found it quite liberating, being able to park without fear of dents and scratches, fill the boot full of rubbish etc.
The only downfall in the whole 'shed' plan, is my urge to try and improve what i have!
That being said, my last attempt ended with car that cut out once per mile and became unusable (stretched camchain)
The only downfall in the whole 'shed' plan, is my urge to try and improve what i have!
That being said, my last attempt ended with car that cut out once per mile and became unusable (stretched camchain)
I once bought a Clio 172 from a friend for £800, mechanically it was sound but had ended up with a dented door and scuffed bumper.
I drove that around looking a bit shoddy and it was great fun as it was carefree but still quick and fun.
Eventually I made it mint, spent a silly amount on the engine and then sold it.
I also bought a Saab 9-3 for £1,200 which wasn't immaculate but good condition. I was never fussy with it, used the local hand car wash etc. Enjoyed not worrying about it.
I drove that around looking a bit shoddy and it was great fun as it was carefree but still quick and fun.
Eventually I made it mint, spent a silly amount on the engine and then sold it.
I also bought a Saab 9-3 for £1,200 which wasn't immaculate but good condition. I was never fussy with it, used the local hand car wash etc. Enjoyed not worrying about it.
I just treat my 2018 R like a shed. Dog in boot, kids in back. Man comes and washes it once a fortnight but otherwise it's a tool with a job to do. I understand resale is a thing, but truthfully, it isn't worth the effort to make maybe £500 difference when I trade it in a couple of years. It's got one door ding that MIL did on my own closed driveway, that would have happened regardless of kid gloves.
Life's too short. It's a thing.
Life's too short. It's a thing.
Baldchap said:
I just treat my 2018 R like a shed. Dog in boot, kids in back. Man comes and washes it once a fortnight but otherwise it's a tool with a job to do. I understand resale is a thing, but truthfully, it isn't worth the effort to make maybe £500 difference when I trade it in a couple of years. It's got one door ding that MIL did on my own closed driveway, that would have happened regardless of kid gloves.
Life's too short. It's a thing.
Life's too short. It's a thing.
Shed is a mentality not a price bracket. If you really and genuinely don't give a s
t then it's perfectly possible to use a brand new Aston Martin for a tip run.rambo19 said:
How is a 10 plate a shed?
I was thinking the same, it's newer than my cars. I guess I fall into the category of keeping my cars for years, and then forget how old they really are. Spent a good few hours yesterday cleaning and waxing a 10 year old and a 12 year old car. But we have had them since they were 3 and 2 years old respectively. But they only look a quarter of there age.
I've got a '99 Honda CRV as my shed (even though has developed a suspension squeak, and an odd engine rattle). Used it to shift an 8x6' actual shed in the separate panels strapped to the roof bars. Had to ask neighbour to help me move them through the house to the back garden, and asked me how I'd got them off the roof by myself in the first place. I pointed out it's a big help if you're not worried about your paintwork.
I've done several banger rallies or related events, and each time I've used the shed as my daily for a year. Driving a car that you don't have to care about is absolutely liberating. It's been a few years since I last owned a shed but I really do miss owning one.
Some of my most epic driving moments have been behind the wheel of an utter turd of a car. For example, I never would have said yes to a roadtrip to the north cape in the dead of winter if I didn't have a shed sitting on my driveway.
Some of my most epic driving moments have been behind the wheel of an utter turd of a car. For example, I never would have said yes to a roadtrip to the north cape in the dead of winter if I didn't have a shed sitting on my driveway.
Miss my Shedscort, but our Mazda is now in shed territory. Dumping shopping bags on the roof cos the boot is full of crap is easier. Not worrying about washing it, cleaning it out, coke or chocolate on the seats, park it anywhere. Great.
The only downside is that it won't make another MOT and it has 4 nearly new Uniroyal RS3's on it.
The only downside is that it won't make another MOT and it has 4 nearly new Uniroyal RS3's on it.
I’ve started to love driving an old shed. My last one was £800 worth of E39. I did 18000 miles in it until some numpty drove into it writing it off.
My latest is a 2002 Merc C200. I paid £750 and have driven over 8000 miles in it this winter. Despite this car not coming from a high point in Mercedes production history, it’s been perfect for my 95 mile motorway commute. Cruise control, leather and Bluetooth included. Chain driven, and returning around 36mpg.
For the cost of a set of wiper blades, as of today it now has 13 months MOT.
If it ever breaks down and lands me wiith a big bill, I can always just get it recovered home. I’ll ebay it, and use my ‘best’ car whilst looking for another shed.
My latest is a 2002 Merc C200. I paid £750 and have driven over 8000 miles in it this winter. Despite this car not coming from a high point in Mercedes production history, it’s been perfect for my 95 mile motorway commute. Cruise control, leather and Bluetooth included. Chain driven, and returning around 36mpg.
For the cost of a set of wiper blades, as of today it now has 13 months MOT.
If it ever breaks down and lands me wiith a big bill, I can always just get it recovered home. I’ll ebay it, and use my ‘best’ car whilst looking for another shed.
Actually, thinking about it, I've also got a shed bike which, like the shed car, is liberating.
I keep my newer bikes locked away when I want to go the the shops/pub/football and take the ancient Rockhopper. No self-respecting bike thief would even look at it and if I scratch it when locking it up I don't give a ****.
I keep my newer bikes locked away when I want to go the the shops/pub/football and take the ancient Rockhopper. No self-respecting bike thief would even look at it and if I scratch it when locking it up I don't give a ****.
Always run a shed as a daily. Perfect one at the minute, a mk1 avensis d4d. Spacious, comfortable, anonymous, 55mpg everywhere and surprisingly punchy.
It is cared for, 7k oil changes etc but for example today we took the wee one to the zoo on half term. Guy beside in a fresh Leon opens his door full swing into mine. He sorted his stuff, popped out with a big cheerful grin, shouts sorry and off he went. I waved back as not worried in the slightest but had I been in a weekend toy it would not have been an enjoyable experience.
It is cared for, 7k oil changes etc but for example today we took the wee one to the zoo on half term. Guy beside in a fresh Leon opens his door full swing into mine. He sorted his stuff, popped out with a big cheerful grin, shouts sorry and off he went. I waved back as not worried in the slightest but had I been in a weekend toy it would not have been an enjoyable experience.
My daily is an ancient mk6 Transit, mechanically it's spot on (and gets well looked after in that respect) but cosmetically it's battered! I can leave it anywhere without fear of dents or scratches, I can chuck stuff in it without worrying about damaging carpet or trim, I can drive it with dirty work boots on and people just seem to stay out of the way (possibly as I look like a member of the 'travelling community' when driving it....)!
I run a shed money 14 year old mini cooper convertible, bought with a short MoT, 120k and no service history off Facebook. I've serviced it and replaced a few bit that needed doing (and I am chasing a slight misfire at the moment). However, it gets left with the roof down at work / in tesco's carpark and on occasions, it has been caught in heavy rain - the last time took a week for the radio to dry out...
It is very liberating to be able to leave it and not be too concerned however it is the first car I have ever snow-foamed or used a clay bar on and I might have even bought some good wax for it as well so I may not be doing this right !
It is very liberating to be able to leave it and not be too concerned however it is the first car I have ever snow-foamed or used a clay bar on and I might have even bought some good wax for it as well so I may not be doing this right !
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