The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
Similar quandary with my Astra...
It's probably worth a bit over shed at around 2k, maybe a bit more, but the clutch is on its way out.
It probably hasn't got any worse in the last 2000 miles but I currently do about 400 miles a week so it might not be too long until it gives up. It's not quite slipping but just got about as high as it can go.
Bought it on 89k and it's now on 115, it's had a cambelt from me and brakes, couple of tyres and a service in my ownership, so fairly well sorted.
It's hideous and I can't stand the thing, but it's been very good to me so far. Apart from being s
t on fuel for a diesel.
Clutch quote is 900 quid!!! It's not something I can do myself...
I could try and buy the parts with a discount from ECP and try and get a garage to just fit it, maybe that could be a few hundred cheaper, but it's still a lot for a semi shed that I hate driving.
Not sure what the best solution is really, might be worth trying to PX it while it still works. I know if I get the clutch done I've got to keep it a while to justify the cost which is quite a depressing thought
It's probably worth a bit over shed at around 2k, maybe a bit more, but the clutch is on its way out.
It probably hasn't got any worse in the last 2000 miles but I currently do about 400 miles a week so it might not be too long until it gives up. It's not quite slipping but just got about as high as it can go.
Bought it on 89k and it's now on 115, it's had a cambelt from me and brakes, couple of tyres and a service in my ownership, so fairly well sorted.
It's hideous and I can't stand the thing, but it's been very good to me so far. Apart from being s
t on fuel for a diesel. Clutch quote is 900 quid!!! It's not something I can do myself...
I could try and buy the parts with a discount from ECP and try and get a garage to just fit it, maybe that could be a few hundred cheaper, but it's still a lot for a semi shed that I hate driving.
Not sure what the best solution is really, might be worth trying to PX it while it still works. I know if I get the clutch done I've got to keep it a while to justify the cost which is quite a depressing thought
Edited by Raymond Reddington on Friday 30th October 09:32
Sticking my VED on monthly and might have a go at servicing the car myself depending on the weather if not I’ll take it to my usual garage.
Done very few miles this year, probably less than 3000 since it was serviced last year. MOT was extended as it was due during lockdown and now isn’t due until Jan but I’ll get it done in the next few weeks.
That will then mean that MOT, tax and insurance all fall within a wonderful 30 day window. Yay
Done very few miles this year, probably less than 3000 since it was serviced last year. MOT was extended as it was due during lockdown and now isn’t due until Jan but I’ll get it done in the next few weeks.
That will then mean that MOT, tax and insurance all fall within a wonderful 30 day window. Yay
Shieldsy94 said:
Depends if you envisage keeping the car for years. If you do, get it done. Better to spend money on a car you know than replace the car and need to do the cambelt + other things if needed.
I'll be keeping it for as long as possible. I have completed 4,000 miles in the car now and its been faultless, so I think i'll get it done. Thanks for the opinions!Limpet said:
Recently picked up a 2005 A3 Sportback with the 2.0 PD diesel for £1750. 136k, full history, cam belt and water pump just done, a new battery, and a fresh ticket with a single advisory (rear tyres).
Only had it a week, but I’m well pleased. Goes well, and it’s returning 48mpg in mostly local running about. Heated half leather / alcantara seats are comfy, its quiet and long legged on the motorway, and with the seats down, it has already transported a sideboard, plus a couple of big loads to the tip.
Has a lazy passenger door lock actuator and the rear wiper doesn’t work, but neither will be big money to sort. Also, in typical VAG fashion, the plastic coating has worn off some of the interior buttons and looks naff. Only a cosmetic issue, but annoying.
Biggest PITA so far compared to newer stuff is the lack of Bluetooth and nav.
Parrot kit install and a cradle for your phone / Waze - job done! Only had it a week, but I’m well pleased. Goes well, and it’s returning 48mpg in mostly local running about. Heated half leather / alcantara seats are comfy, its quiet and long legged on the motorway, and with the seats down, it has already transported a sideboard, plus a couple of big loads to the tip.
Has a lazy passenger door lock actuator and the rear wiper doesn’t work, but neither will be big money to sort. Also, in typical VAG fashion, the plastic coating has worn off some of the interior buttons and looks naff. Only a cosmetic issue, but annoying.
Biggest PITA so far compared to newer stuff is the lack of Bluetooth and nav.
PistonAFC said:
Shieldsy94 said:
Looking at reducing my commuting bill whilst saving for a house. Currently have a Mazda 6 2016 on finance and have worked out I can save roughly £300 a month between finance, tax, fuel, insurance & depreciation. I do 14k a year just commuting plus anything else so maybe 18k in total. Would you do that mileage in a sub £1500 diesel?
I was looking at 1.6 Focus'. Fiesta's and Polo Bluemotions. Don't really like the idea of a bigger car as they bump up the insurance, tax and running cost.
18k in a fiesta...???I was looking at 1.6 Focus'. Fiesta's and Polo Bluemotions. Don't really like the idea of a bigger car as they bump up the insurance, tax and running cost.
Sheds are usually for lower mileages I would think and £1500 won't do 18k /yr without issues.
If you that many miles and use it for work, you probably want to be in a comfortable place when driving.
Joey Deacon said:
Starting to think about a new shed at the moment as my Girlfriend is finally interested in driving in the UK. Biggest issue is it must be an Automatic (because Australian) and I have never bought an auto shed before. Even initial searches are highlighting that he majority of sheds are manual.
Aside from being an Auto the only other criteria is it must be no bigger than a Megane/Astra. Preferably an old school slush box, possibly consider a CVT and no old school 4 speeders please.
I initially started thinking of a Honda Jazz, but I must admit I have a hatred of all things Honda after owning a Civic Type S. Manufacturer is not important, I have run lots of French cars in the past and mostly they have been great. Happy to take a gamble on something German rather than go for the safe option.
Not really got a budget, happy to go up to a totally un-shed £4K for the right car. However, a £2K gamble on a high mileage A3 sounds way more exciting.
I would be buying a Suzuki of some description - a 1.5 petrol Swift would be perfect, I miss ours dearly.Aside from being an Auto the only other criteria is it must be no bigger than a Megane/Astra. Preferably an old school slush box, possibly consider a CVT and no old school 4 speeders please.
I initially started thinking of a Honda Jazz, but I must admit I have a hatred of all things Honda after owning a Civic Type S. Manufacturer is not important, I have run lots of French cars in the past and mostly they have been great. Happy to take a gamble on something German rather than go for the safe option.
Not really got a budget, happy to go up to a totally un-shed £4K for the right car. However, a £2K gamble on a high mileage A3 sounds way more exciting.
mstrbkr said:
The cam belt is worth doing on a car that is otherwise good, has 12 months MOT, and 4 new tyres on it. If the cam belt snaps you’ve then got to find yourself another car, with unknown issues lurking. Do it if the money is “spare”.
100% this. Leaving a cambelt until it snaps is a false economy unless the car is going to be scrapped soon anywaykieranblenk said:
Joey Deacon said:
Starting to think about a new shed at the moment as my Girlfriend is finally interested in driving in the UK. Biggest issue is it must be an Automatic (because Australian) and I have never bought an auto shed before. Even initial searches are highlighting that he majority of sheds are manual.
Aside from being an Auto the only other criteria is it must be no bigger than a Megane/Astra. Preferably an old school slush box, possibly consider a CVT and no old school 4 speeders please.
I initially started thinking of a Honda Jazz, but I must admit I have a hatred of all things Honda after owning a Civic Type S. Manufacturer is not important, I have run lots of French cars in the past and mostly they have been great. Happy to take a gamble on something German rather than go for the safe option.
Not really got a budget, happy to go up to a totally un-shed £4K for the right car. However, a £2K gamble on a high mileage A3 sounds way more exciting.
I would be buying a Suzuki of some description - a 1.5 petrol Swift would be perfect, I miss ours dearly.Aside from being an Auto the only other criteria is it must be no bigger than a Megane/Astra. Preferably an old school slush box, possibly consider a CVT and no old school 4 speeders please.
I initially started thinking of a Honda Jazz, but I must admit I have a hatred of all things Honda after owning a Civic Type S. Manufacturer is not important, I have run lots of French cars in the past and mostly they have been great. Happy to take a gamble on something German rather than go for the safe option.
Not really got a budget, happy to go up to a totally un-shed £4K for the right car. However, a £2K gamble on a high mileage A3 sounds way more exciting.
Joey Deacon said:
Starting to think about a new shed at the moment as my Girlfriend is finally interested in driving in the UK. Biggest issue is it must be an Automatic (because Australian) and I have never bought an auto shed before. Even initial searches are highlighting that he majority of sheds are manual.
For pottering around town a K11 Micra should be on your list.The CVT autos are hilarious to drive.
Always bought by little old ladies, so plenty around with very low mileages.
Find one that's been garaged and look very carefully for rot in the sills, around the rear suspension pick ups and the front cross member.
Most are now rotten.
But really good ones do turn up and a good one is a delight.
Pat H said:
For pottering around town a K11 Micra should be on your list.
The CVT autos are hilarious to drive.
Always bought by little old ladies, so plenty around with very low mileages.
Find one that's been garaged and look very carefully for rot in the sills, around the rear suspension pick ups and the front cross member.
Most are now rotten.
But really good ones do turn up and a good one is a delight.
I wanted a K11 as a cheap shed and looked at loads and loads, but on checking the MOT history, each and every one i looked at, had rust as an advisory. Funnily enough, most were being got rid of just before the MOT expiry, but "would pass another, just not had time to put it through" The CVT autos are hilarious to drive.
Always bought by little old ladies, so plenty around with very low mileages.
Find one that's been garaged and look very carefully for rot in the sills, around the rear suspension pick ups and the front cross member.
Most are now rotten.
But really good ones do turn up and a good one is a delight.
James_N said:
I wanted a K11 as a cheap shed and looked at loads and loads, but on checking the MOT history, each and every one i looked at, had rust as an advisory. Funnily enough, most were being got rid of just before the MOT expiry, but "would pass another, just not had time to put it through"
My k11 passed about 4 or 5 tests with a rotted out front x member....only advised because outside the prescribed area.They can be found.
I bought this one for my younger daughter.
I paid a lot for it (£1400), but it had been owned by the proverbial little old lady, who had sadly passed on.
It had always been garaged and had been regularly Waxoyled, so is solid.
It is also one of the rare 1.4s, so has a bit more steam than most. K11s.
Daughter loves it. It's needed a battery and two new rear tyres, which I think had been the originals and were completely perished.
It's brilliant, in a wind up windows and no central locking kind of way.
I bought this one for my younger daughter.
I paid a lot for it (£1400), but it had been owned by the proverbial little old lady, who had sadly passed on.
It had always been garaged and had been regularly Waxoyled, so is solid.
It is also one of the rare 1.4s, so has a bit more steam than most. K11s.
Daughter loves it. It's needed a battery and two new rear tyres, which I think had been the originals and were completely perished.
It's brilliant, in a wind up windows and no central locking kind of way.
pistonheadforum said:
Anybody running a Toyota Prius as a shed? Seems they must be coming into shedding teritory.
I gave these some serious consideration prior to my Avensis MOT in case it failed badly. All the ones in shed budget in the south east are on 200k +. I was unsure whether they were knackered by that point or still a viable option. Anything with sensible milage was nearer 5k though.
I would have another K11 micra in a heartbeat, wonderfully simple. My partner had a 2001 auto which lasted her 8 years, 40k miles and cost her 700 pounds. (No pound key) Minimal work at MOT time and very cheap. Was the 1.4 so bit more poke than the 1.0 versions.
The auto box gave up on the M25, was quoted about 3x its value to replace it. Ours had a rusty front cross member and around the sump bolt too. Most have fans that only work on setting 4 as the resistor pack melts itself, its an easy cheap fix though.
CinnamonFan said:
I would have another K11 micra in a heartbeat, wonderfully simple. My partner had a 2001 auto which lasted her 8 years, 40k miles and cost her 700 pounds. (No pound key) Minimal work at MOT time and very cheap. Was the 1.4 so bit more poke than the 1.0 versions.
I've spent ages to look for a good k11 micra last summer, but no chance. I've heard the reputation. I've ended up mk4 1.6 (8v) golf though, so far so good. giblet said:
Rare to find a clean non rusted K11 these days and even rarer to find them for shed money. Look at takeaway delivery cars, they all moved to the Yaris
I ran a Yaris for 2 weeks after I destroyed my STI swapped 2000 Turbo wagon shed, I thought it was wildly mediocre. I can't remember it having a single characteristic although the digital dash was by far the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I paid £200 for it and scrapped it 2 weeks later for £250 when the MOT ran out. Stunk of chip fat, I think as something to daily I'd much prefer a MK4 Fiesta if you can find one that isn't in a dustpan. CinnamonFan said:
pistonheadforum said:
Anybody running a Toyota Prius as a shed? Seems they must be coming into shedding teritory.
I gave these some serious consideration prior to my Avensis MOT in case it failed badly. All the ones in shed budget in the south east are on 200k +. I was unsure whether they were knackered by that point or still a viable option. Anything with sensible milage was nearer 5k though.
giblet said:
Aiminghigh123 said:
Is that a Saab 9-3 2.0T?
I have a 2.8 V6 that’s in that bracket. Paid £900 for the car.
Aye, annoys me that I pay the same as I did on my ISFs and Evo X which were considerably more powerful and fun to drive. I have a 2.8 V6 that’s in that bracket. Paid £900 for the car.
Will stick with it for another 12 months, the problem with the prices at the bottom end of the market going silly means there isn’t anything available out there for the same price that would make sense to change it for
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