The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
I can see why some people choose to PCP. If I hadn't found a friendly and cheap mechanic I'd be in some kind of never never mobile now.
Shedding works best if you don't need a car daily, don't do a lot of unavoidable miles and can spanner yourself.
I'd be happy with a 9-5 aero if my commute was shorter.
Shedding works best if you don't need a car daily, don't do a lot of unavoidable miles and can spanner yourself.
I'd be happy with a 9-5 aero if my commute was shorter.
Salmonofdoubt said:
I can see why some people choose to PCP. If I hadn't found a friendly and cheap mechanic I'd be in some kind of never never mobile now.
Shedding works best if you don't need a car daily, don't do a lot of unavoidable miles and can spanner yourself.
I'd be happy with a 9-5 aero if my commute was shorter.
Yes I must admit I came close to going down the leasing route last year when my Vauxhall Insignia diesel cost me £750 in bills (cam-belt, new turbo hose, etc, etc) in the first 6 months of last year. Something like a Ford Fiesta ST Line 1.0 on £166 per month was very tempting!Shedding works best if you don't need a car daily, don't do a lot of unavoidable miles and can spanner yourself.
I'd be happy with a 9-5 aero if my commute was shorter.
So for people like me who aren't good at spannering, if you want a shed, I think the answer is to go simple. I.e. a basic n/a petrol engined car, where the parts are cheap and no dual mass flywheel etc. My current shed has cost me £21 this year for a pair of wiper blades so I am much happier with that!
Something like that Saab pictured above would scare me silly with its potential for large bills!
greenarrow said:
Yes I must admit I came close to going down the leasing route last year when my Vauxhall Insignia diesel cost me £750 in bills (cam-belt, new turbo hose, etc, etc) in the first 6 months of last year. Something like a Ford Fiesta ST Line 1.0 on £166 per month was very tempting!
So for people like me who aren't good at spannering, if you want a shed, I think the answer is to go simple. I.e. a basic n/a petrol engined car, where the parts are cheap and no dual mass flywheel etc. My current shed has cost me £21 this year for a pair of wiper blades so I am much happier with that!
Something like that Saab pictured above would scare me silly with its potential for large bills!
Was reading your* post and Ford Focus came to mind instantly, low on stress when the garage calls unlike my Alfas, although the Aygo 1.0 is also another car that is so easy to own and fun to drive.So for people like me who aren't good at spannering, if you want a shed, I think the answer is to go simple. I.e. a basic n/a petrol engined car, where the parts are cheap and no dual mass flywheel etc. My current shed has cost me £21 this year for a pair of wiper blades so I am much happier with that!
Something like that Saab pictured above would scare me silly with its potential for large bills!
The rest of the family who (who own the Focus and Aygo) treat MOT time as a tick box, whilst I'm usually quite anxious but in fairness the Giulietta has passed all of them with no issues.
- Noticed your username and that you already evangelise the mk1 Focus
If your like me and no idea how to use spanners, running a 21 year old V70 is not a worry, as I get it serviced at a main dealer ( yes I know some of you now require smelling salts) but, my logic is that they give me FULL European breakdown cover. I couldn't get this from AA/RAC etc without it costing me more than the service....and when they first started offering this I phoned and checked it covered my old bus
About 7 months after I checked, the wife was going to work, and it broke down about 70m from the driveway (fuel pump over 200k miles) they were there within 25 mins, mechanic said he couldn't fix there, arranged a flat bed recover, they gave her a V40, and took 10 days to fix it, wife didn't mind, she had the use of a brand new car, put about 1200 miles on it.
Like with all the services i get I asked for a discount on the new fuel pump, and got it
That's the only breakdown we have had in 21 years, now on 246k cars getting a break at moment due to lock down, looking forward to it getting to 250 then 300k on the clock
About 7 months after I checked, the wife was going to work, and it broke down about 70m from the driveway (fuel pump over 200k miles) they were there within 25 mins, mechanic said he couldn't fix there, arranged a flat bed recover, they gave her a V40, and took 10 days to fix it, wife didn't mind, she had the use of a brand new car, put about 1200 miles on it.
Like with all the services i get I asked for a discount on the new fuel pump, and got it
That's the only breakdown we have had in 21 years, now on 246k cars getting a break at moment due to lock down, looking forward to it getting to 250 then 300k on the clock
Majorslow said:
If your like me and no idea how to use spanners, running a 21 year old V70 is not a worry, as I get it serviced at a main dealer ( yes I know some of you now require smelling salts) but, my logic is that they give me FULL European breakdown cover. I couldn't get this from AA/RAC etc without it costing me more than the service....and when they first started offering this I phoned and checked it covered my old bus
About 7 months after I checked, the wife was going to work, and it broke down about 70m from the driveway (fuel pump over 200k miles) they were there within 25 mins, mechanic said he couldn't fix there, arranged a flat bed recover, they gave her a V40, and took 10 days to fix it, wife didn't mind, she had the use of a brand new car, put about 1200 miles on it.
Like with all the services i get I asked for a discount on the new fuel pump, and got it
That's the only breakdown we have had in 21 years, now on 246k cars getting a break at moment due to lock down, looking forward to it getting to 250 then 300k on the clock
That's an interesting approach, food for thought, recently Toyota offer a club for older cars, get 20% of servicing but not the breakdown cover like you get.About 7 months after I checked, the wife was going to work, and it broke down about 70m from the driveway (fuel pump over 200k miles) they were there within 25 mins, mechanic said he couldn't fix there, arranged a flat bed recover, they gave her a V40, and took 10 days to fix it, wife didn't mind, she had the use of a brand new car, put about 1200 miles on it.
Like with all the services i get I asked for a discount on the new fuel pump, and got it
That's the only breakdown we have had in 21 years, now on 246k cars getting a break at moment due to lock down, looking forward to it getting to 250 then 300k on the clock
It's good you checked on the eligibility for recovery as noticed some firms have a 10 year old maximum for cover in the terms but still quote you.
25 minutes is a record for recovery attendance, it's usually over an hour with the big players.
Never thought of bargaining for a discount for a replacement part, well done.
jamesson said:
NorthernSky said:
Saab
That is absolutely awesome. What's the mileage?Edited by jamesson on Tuesday 16th June 14:11
Fully synth oil is required. I'll run it for the next 5,000 miles and then consider a pre-emptive sump drop, oil sludge check and clean IF there is anything there, and a general health check by this guy JamSaab who has been an indie specialist on these cars near Bristol since he was about 5 years old.
I'm aware that an 18 year old car might go bang at any given moment but I have a really good feeling about this car, just the way it was described and shown to me by the previous PHer, there is a large ph cross pistons smiley sticker on the back, which gave me added reassurance.
Suspension bushes may be a spend next year, perhaps. But compared to my s2000 this thing is a magic carpet over the crappy roads round here.
Bonefish Blues said:
I'm glad I did (9-5 Aero Estate), but no car has ever let me (or better put my wife & kids) down like the Saab. Moved to Volvos, am happy here (albeit the cheapest one is a little above thread).
Please would you care to enlighten us as to in what manner it let you down? I'm inclined to think well looked after examples ought to go on for quite some time, this is the gamble I have just taken.
Crikey, now you're asking.
The main boost pipe blew off whilst I was driving with the family on a fast dual back from holiday. Failed to start a couple of times for my wife, once at school pick up and another on a shopping trip with them - really can't remember the specific faults, plus ano where it cut out, but again, can't remember. Also we had to have the head re-skimmed because head gasket.
What else? The sludging issue played on my mind, so I had a sump drop done at Saab Oxford, which showed the strainer substantially blocked, but it wasn't till later that I realised, after I'd paid a not insignificant bill, that they hadn't changed the pcv...
The main boost pipe blew off whilst I was driving with the family on a fast dual back from holiday. Failed to start a couple of times for my wife, once at school pick up and another on a shopping trip with them - really can't remember the specific faults, plus ano where it cut out, but again, can't remember. Also we had to have the head re-skimmed because head gasket.
What else? The sludging issue played on my mind, so I had a sump drop done at Saab Oxford, which showed the strainer substantially blocked, but it wasn't till later that I realised, after I'd paid a not insignificant bill, that they hadn't changed the pcv...
Edited by Bonefish Blues on Wednesday 17th June 12:09
STIfree said:
I bought another shed.
I didn't need another shed. I'm not sure if it is a shed in the traditional sense. But it was £500 and it's rough but runs right.
I used to own a Volvo 340 about 5 years ago but I was moving overseas so had to get rid of it. I sold it to my mate whos since modified it a lot and it currently has a supercharged 2.0 Renault engine, believed to be the only 340 to have one. Anyway, I've always missed the retro-ness and that same friend sent me a link for one on FB marketplace, 3 hours away for £500 on Monday. It took me about 4 minutes before I was on the phone to the seller and transferred over a deposit.
It'd been in daily use for the past 9 years, but had been parked up unused for the past 6 months. Toyed with getting it recovered with a trailer ect but in the end just went there with a few tools. It started up no problem and drove for 3 hours and 150 miles home without a hitch! Its 34 years old!
It's a 1.4, on 77k. It doesn't have a panel without surface rust on it. But then it doesn't have any issues that would hold you back from using it every day.
I'm well happy. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, or really why I needed it so badly. But it's here now and I regret nothing!
And a pic at the end of the day with the aforementioned supercharged 340 that I used to own. Rare to see one 340, nevermind 2 together!
Just catching up on this - thats awesome! Have a real soft spot for these, late teens, my best mates mum had a black 1.7 Redline and he was insured on it, pretty much brand new, we used to bat about everywhere in the thing, how the hell we never killed ourselves in it - it was pretty quick at the time. Remember a number of rear-end moments, mostly deliberate, but there was one particularly scary 40mph tank-slapper, just after we 'beared right' at a forked junction, will never forget it, or how scary oak trees can look head on at speed. Still have a little smile to myself when I drive past the spot 30 years later with quite a few extra horses.... I didn't need another shed. I'm not sure if it is a shed in the traditional sense. But it was £500 and it's rough but runs right.
I used to own a Volvo 340 about 5 years ago but I was moving overseas so had to get rid of it. I sold it to my mate whos since modified it a lot and it currently has a supercharged 2.0 Renault engine, believed to be the only 340 to have one. Anyway, I've always missed the retro-ness and that same friend sent me a link for one on FB marketplace, 3 hours away for £500 on Monday. It took me about 4 minutes before I was on the phone to the seller and transferred over a deposit.
It'd been in daily use for the past 9 years, but had been parked up unused for the past 6 months. Toyed with getting it recovered with a trailer ect but in the end just went there with a few tools. It started up no problem and drove for 3 hours and 150 miles home without a hitch! Its 34 years old!
It's a 1.4, on 77k. It doesn't have a panel without surface rust on it. But then it doesn't have any issues that would hold you back from using it every day.
I'm well happy. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, or really why I needed it so badly. But it's here now and I regret nothing!
And a pic at the end of the day with the aforementioned supercharged 340 that I used to own. Rare to see one 340, nevermind 2 together!
Edited by STIfree on Sunday 14th June 21:34
Cross posting this from Technical as it might get more response here:
The exhaust on my 2005 2.0 Civic started blowing yesterday and I've jacked it up today and can see that its corroded and fractured at the tailpipe end. It looks to be a fairly straight forward job in that there is nothing in the way but the other end where it joins with the CAT looks in pretty bad shape. Do you think I'll be able to get away with simply replacing the centre section which is £45 or will I need to replace the front section as well which includes the CAT and is £130?
This is the where it joins the CAT second one is where it joins the tailpipe.
Cheers
The exhaust on my 2005 2.0 Civic started blowing yesterday and I've jacked it up today and can see that its corroded and fractured at the tailpipe end. It looks to be a fairly straight forward job in that there is nothing in the way but the other end where it joins with the CAT looks in pretty bad shape. Do you think I'll be able to get away with simply replacing the centre section which is £45 or will I need to replace the front section as well which includes the CAT and is £130?
This is the where it joins the CAT second one is where it joins the tailpipe.
Cheers
Bonefish Blues said:
Yes, absolutely. It'd be better with the D5 (whose autoboxes are actually fine, IF owners ignored sealed for life messages from Volvo...) because the 2.4's pretty consumptive, but very reliable and quite refined.
The biggest outlay will likely be suspension components, which they're notably hard on.
The ad says it's a manual... I've been looking at these too, so thanks for the info as I'd be after an auto!The biggest outlay will likely be suspension components, which they're notably hard on.
moonigan said:
Cross posting this from Technical as it might get more response here:
The exhaust on my 2005 2.0 Civic started blowing yesterday and I've jacked it up today and can see that its corroded and fractured at the tailpipe end. It looks to be a fairly straight forward job in that there is nothing in the way but the other end where it joins with the CAT looks in pretty bad shape. Do you think I'll be able to get away with simply replacing the centre section which is £45 or will I need to replace the front section as well which includes the CAT and is £130?
This is the where it joins the CAT second one is where it joins the tailpipe.
Cheers
In true shed fashion, if it's only the join that's gone can't you cut it out and sleeve it? The exhaust on my 2005 2.0 Civic started blowing yesterday and I've jacked it up today and can see that its corroded and fractured at the tailpipe end. It looks to be a fairly straight forward job in that there is nothing in the way but the other end where it joins with the CAT looks in pretty bad shape. Do you think I'll be able to get away with simply replacing the centre section which is £45 or will I need to replace the front section as well which includes the CAT and is £130?
This is the where it joins the CAT second one is where it joins the tailpipe.
Cheers
moonigan said:
Is this the kind of thing?
Yes, but the motorfactors generally hold better ones, in that they are 2 skins with the expanding joints on either side. The flanges can be cut off, the joint persuaded to fit, and the bolts tightened up. They generally offer a good seal, and will (should) be fine for what you're after. STIfree said:
I bought another shed.
I didn't need another shed. I'm not sure if it is a shed in the traditional sense. But it was £500 and it's rough but runs right.
I used to own a Volvo 340 about 5 years ago but I was moving overseas so had to get rid of it. I sold it to my mate whos since modified it a lot and it currently has a supercharged 2.0 Renault engine, believed to be the only 340 to have one. Anyway, I've always missed the retro-ness and that same friend sent me a link for one on FB marketplace, 3 hours away for £500 on Monday. It took me about 4 minutes before I was on the phone to the seller and transferred over a deposit.
It'd been in daily use for the past 9 years, but had been parked up unused for the past 6 months. Toyed with getting it recovered with a trailer ect but in the end just went there with a few tools. It started up no problem and drove for 3 hours and 150 miles home without a hitch! Its 34 years old!
It's a 1.4, on 77k. It doesn't have a panel without surface rust on it. But then it doesn't have any issues that would hold you back from using it every day.
I'm well happy. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, or really why I needed it so badly. But it's here now and I regret nothing!
And a pic at the end of the day with the aforementioned supercharged 340 that I used to own. Rare to see one 340, nevermind 2 together!
Is that Max's 340 - if so say hello I'm back on T/Side now so our paths may cross again..!!I didn't need another shed. I'm not sure if it is a shed in the traditional sense. But it was £500 and it's rough but runs right.
I used to own a Volvo 340 about 5 years ago but I was moving overseas so had to get rid of it. I sold it to my mate whos since modified it a lot and it currently has a supercharged 2.0 Renault engine, believed to be the only 340 to have one. Anyway, I've always missed the retro-ness and that same friend sent me a link for one on FB marketplace, 3 hours away for £500 on Monday. It took me about 4 minutes before I was on the phone to the seller and transferred over a deposit.
It'd been in daily use for the past 9 years, but had been parked up unused for the past 6 months. Toyed with getting it recovered with a trailer ect but in the end just went there with a few tools. It started up no problem and drove for 3 hours and 150 miles home without a hitch! Its 34 years old!
It's a 1.4, on 77k. It doesn't have a panel without surface rust on it. But then it doesn't have any issues that would hold you back from using it every day.
I'm well happy. Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, or really why I needed it so badly. But it's here now and I regret nothing!
And a pic at the end of the day with the aforementioned supercharged 340 that I used to own. Rare to see one 340, nevermind 2 together!
Edited by STIfree on Sunday 14th June 21:34
Was chatting with Paul M before he's now got a Gs300 not sure if that is thread worthy yet
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