The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
Krikkit said:
If the rear beam is solid then I'd keep it as long as you can - doesn't get much simpler than a 1.1 106!
Does it have a sunroof?
A couple of easy leak points to check are that the heater inlet under the wiper cover isn't full of crap, and the aerial in the roof. On the latter it's a doddle as you can pull the interior light unit out and it's right there for inspection. If the aerial is leaking just buy a new one rather than trying to bodge it with silicon, it never lasts.
Its sound underneath, chassis in very good condition. It has obviously leaked for some time as there is small evidence of mould on the rear seats. It leaked pretty badly after buying it but after sealing the sunroof with gaffa tape, the leaks have stopped in the boot, and there is only small evidence of leaks into the front footwells in really heavy rain, which leads me to believe it is the sunroof / drain holes. I have no idea how to get to the drain holes though!Does it have a sunroof?
A couple of easy leak points to check are that the heater inlet under the wiper cover isn't full of crap, and the aerial in the roof. On the latter it's a doddle as you can pull the interior light unit out and it's right there for inspection. If the aerial is leaking just buy a new one rather than trying to bodge it with silicon, it never lasts.
And yes it also leaks through the ariel. I have seen a video on youtube of someone sealing that leak with silicone! but if a new ariel will fix the problem, i'll just plump for that option i think! but yes body work is good, no rust (that i can see anyway!) and no evidence of any issues on prior MOTs (a main reason why i purchased it to be honest, i needed some really cheap wheels, and this came up a few miles away with a clean MOT history and cheap, so i went for it!)
I have stuck to shed rules so far and only purchased what is absolutely nesessary. New wipers at a few quid, a new dipstick as the one one had snapped off at the end, and 2 new tyres. Thats been it in 6 months of motoring. Not bad really for a £250 motor and you don't get much for that money. I'm actually quite fond of it, I just worry that wet footwells will equal rust, but i guess as long as i get a few years out of it, it wont be so bad.
/edit - looking on ebay, you can get the ariel, but not the bit that it mounts on to, which is where i assume water is coming in?
/edit 2 - maybe i should just chuck it in for an MOT soon (was due 1st May but got the covid extension. If it passes that, then spend a few quid on a service and investigating leaks maybe
Edited by James_N on Wednesday 8th July 21:44
Edited by James_N on Wednesday 8th July 21:47
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203030427803
Another nice shed, good matching Michelin tyres and working aircon, seems to have been well cared for.
Another nice shed, good matching Michelin tyres and working aircon, seems to have been well cared for.
Another good thing about running a shed is, when middle aged lady reversed her 4x4 straight into the back of my 106 tonight at the shops, i just waved a hand, reassured her it was fine and that there was no damage, and we were both on our way 
she went from stressed and flapping to relieved in about 2 seconds!
she went from stressed and flapping to relieved in about 2 seconds!CX53 said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203030427803
Another nice shed, good matching Michelin tyres and working aircon, seems to have been well cared for.
These older Volvos seem superbly built. Just driven mine 53 miles home (S60 on a 2004 plate with 155k D5), and not a squeak or a rattle from the interior trim. I'm actually surprised at how well it handled on some twistys too. Another nice shed, good matching Michelin tyres and working aircon, seems to have been well cared for.
Mine looks to be absolutely superb for £750. Really pleased.
CX53 said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203030427803
Another nice shed, good matching Michelin tyres and working aircon, seems to have been well cared for.
A trader (of sorts) selling it - wonder what it cost him?Another nice shed, good matching Michelin tyres and working aircon, seems to have been well cared for.
CX53 said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203030427803
Another nice shed, good matching Michelin tyres and working aircon, seems to have been well cared for.
As close to a shed no-brainer as I can recall seeing.Another nice shed, good matching Michelin tyres and working aircon, seems to have been well cared for.
bearman68 said:
Bonefish Blues said:
As close to a shed no-brainer as I can recall seeing.
84k miles - with what looks like a good history. That's going to last for another 10 years with no worries (except ball joints)CX53 said:
I have absolutely no need for it and my Mrs would absolutely hate it, but it's very local and cheap, it would make the ideal counterpart to an old MX5 or Saxo VTR/S or similar.... Hmm...
RFL is the killer. Fuel consumption less so - low use leave it on petrol, or for more work, it could be converted to LPG. But I guess the tax is still £300 + pa.bearman68 said:
RFL is the killer. Fuel consumption less so - low use leave it on petrol, or for more work, it could be converted to LPG. But I guess the tax is still £300 + pa.
£330 a year, same as my Chrysler.. bit steep for a daily chugger that, day to day mpg I guess will be low. My chrysler is not a daily nor do I plan having it on more than 6 months a year. I'd probably still be tempted tho if it was a hatchback or estate, going to need something to replace my Saab in the next year or two
Recently helped my girlfriend buy a nice Focus 1.4 CL for £200. Low mile example, driving it made me remember just what a riot they are. Had the Merc parked up the last 3 days while I daily it myself taking it up into the Dales, pin sharp and still fresh because of the miles. Anyway, last night she ends up being hit in the side in a car park, other driver accepted full responsibility. Off to see a nice 1.6 Zetec 5 door today, 98k on the clock and a couple of cosmetics to do but for £200 it seems a steal. Made me disappointed to drive the Merc again when the Focus is so much more fun.
bearman68 said:
RFL is the killer. Fuel consumption less so - low use leave it on petrol, or for more work, it could be converted to LPG. But I guess the tax is still £300 + pa.
True, that is steep... It depends how you look at it I guess. If you ran it for a year even if it did only do 25mpg on a run and cost 30 quid a month in tax, it's still pretty cheap motoring, providing nothing breaks expensively.. At which point I suppose you might get a couple of hundred notes anyway so only 400 quid down
aaron_2000 said:
Recently helped my girlfriend buy a nice Focus 1.4 CL for £200. Low mile example, driving it made me remember just what a riot they are. Had the Merc parked up the last 3 days while I daily it myself taking it up into the Dales, pin sharp and still fresh because of the miles. Anyway, last night she ends up being hit in the side in a car park, other driver accepted full responsibility. Off to see a nice 1.6 Zetec 5 door today, 98k on the clock and a couple of cosmetics to do but for £200 it seems a steal. Made me disappointed to drive the Merc again when the Focus is so much more fun.
How can a 98k miles petrol mk1 Focus be so cheap. Shocking.It costs more to tax it
What happened to the damaged 1.4? Any parts worth salvaging?
How you find road/wind noise in the Focus versus the Merc?
After posting in car buying I purchased a £900 Mini Cooper S for some shedding fun. Took it to brands couple of weeks back and was wonderful not having something worth a fortune to worry about. Its faultless, works everyday and is a great laugh. Even with 170k on the clock it feels very tight, and the supercharger whine is addictive!
largespiced said:
After posting in car buying I purchased a £900 Mini Cooper S for some shedding fun. Took it to brands couple of weeks back and was wonderful not having something worth a fortune to worry about. Its faultless, works everyday and is a great laugh. Even with 170k on the clock it feels very tight, and the supercharger whine is addictive!
Keep us updated on this one. I'm very tempted by a cheap Cooper S in a months time but almost everyone I've spoken to has advised me against it. Anything special you did when buying one that helped you get a good one, or just luck of the draw?
aaron_2000 said:
Recently helped my girlfriend buy a nice Focus 1.4 CL for £200. Low mile example, driving it made me remember just what a riot they are. Had the Merc parked up the last 3 days while I daily it myself taking it up into the Dales, pin sharp and still fresh because of the miles. Anyway, last night she ends up being hit in the side in a car park, other driver accepted full responsibility. Off to see a nice 1.6 Zetec 5 door today, 98k on the clock and a couple of cosmetics to do but for £200 it seems a steal. Made me disappointed to drive the Merc again when the Focus is so much more fun.
I can relate to this. I've gone for more early morning country road "just for the hell of it" drives this year in my shed Focus Mk1 than for over 20 years since I owned my late 90s Cinquecento and Punto Sportings which were both brilliant fun on back roads.There's really nothing like a Mk1 Focus!
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