The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
No method of buying a shed is 100% reliable but it's all about giving yourself the best possible chance. I took out badge loyalty a long time ago, I really couldn't care less what the motoring establishment has to say about a particular model, I'm more interested in the poor souls who have had to run the thing in real world conditions for a number of years to formulate an opinion about a particular car.
I don't think it's any secret that I've been better at buying sheds in my 40s and 50s than I was as a younger man, I'm far more critical now and couldn't care less if the buyer thinks I'm a pain in the ar$e for asking too many questions and going over the car methodically, it's my money and I'm not parting with it until I'm completely satisfied.
If you're expecting a seller to have a conscience and feel bad about lying through their back teeth about selling off a heap as a "good car" then mostly you are going to be disappointed.
Out of the 10 things that I listed I think vetting the seller is really important. Just one look at the profile pictures of the walking, talking rectums that abound on certain sites tells me all that I need to know, particularly the 14 year old gangster wannabe who calls everybody boss.
I don't think it's any secret that I've been better at buying sheds in my 40s and 50s than I was as a younger man, I'm far more critical now and couldn't care less if the buyer thinks I'm a pain in the ar$e for asking too many questions and going over the car methodically, it's my money and I'm not parting with it until I'm completely satisfied.
If you're expecting a seller to have a conscience and feel bad about lying through their back teeth about selling off a heap as a "good car" then mostly you are going to be disappointed.
Out of the 10 things that I listed I think vetting the seller is really important. Just one look at the profile pictures of the walking, talking rectums that abound on certain sites tells me all that I need to know, particularly the 14 year old gangster wannabe who calls everybody boss.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 17th June 16:52
ooid said:
Is it me or vw golf mk4s, still a bit under-valued?
No. They're just a mass produced banger. Mention old VAG stuff and what springs to mind is rotten wings, water leaks, window regulators, shagged gearboxes etc etc etc. For every cheap old Golf is a much better Japanese banger. VW talk about quality, and talk is all it is. Lord Cunnington Smythe said:
No method of buying a shed is 100% reliable but it's all about giving yourself the best possible chance. I took out badge loyalty a long time ago, I really couldn't care less what the motoring establishment has to say about a particular model, I'm more interested in the poor souls who have had to run the thing in real world conditions for a number of years to formulate an opinion about a particular car.
I don't think it's any secret that I've been better at buying sheds in my 40s and 50s than I was as a younger man, I'm far more critical now and couldn't care less if the buyer thinks I'm a pain in the ar$e for asking too many questions and going over the car methodically, it's my money and I'm not parting with it until I'm completely satisfied.
If you're expecting a seller to have a conscience and feel bad about lying through their back teeth about selling off a heap as a "good car" then mostly you are going to be disappointed.
Out of the 10 things that I listed I think vetting the seller is really important. Just one look at the profile pictures of the walking, talking rectums that abound on certain sites tells me all that I need to know, particularly the 14 year old gangster wannabe who calls everybody boss.
I've had a large variety of cars over the years and I certainly do gravitate to certain brands, I am very fussy. I don't think it's any secret that I've been better at buying sheds in my 40s and 50s than I was as a younger man, I'm far more critical now and couldn't care less if the buyer thinks I'm a pain in the ar$e for asking too many questions and going over the car methodically, it's my money and I'm not parting with it until I'm completely satisfied.
If you're expecting a seller to have a conscience and feel bad about lying through their back teeth about selling off a heap as a "good car" then mostly you are going to be disappointed.
Out of the 10 things that I listed I think vetting the seller is really important. Just one look at the profile pictures of the walking, talking rectums that abound on certain sites tells me all that I need to know, particularly the 14 year old gangster wannabe who calls everybody boss.
Edited by Lord Cunnington Smythe on Thursday 17th June 16:52
The whole thing with the profile photo etc makes sense with the Skoda, but as he was using his business page to list the car, I had no idea until after. Had I known before, I wouldn't have even bothered to message him.
I know not all sellers have a conscience, but surely a "no this car isn't for you, sorry" after I've asked 101 questions about a cheap worthless car to them should then know I'm prepared to make their life hell if any undisclosed issues are present. Especially if they're a registered trader.
I always aim for private purchases, only ever had one car from a trader.
I try to be a good buyer and I expect them to be a good seller. If it doesn't smell right, I just keep looking until I find another.
And sometimes it's been beyond a shed I've been buying - a proper s
tter. But as long as it's presented honestly, we're all on the same page.
I try to be a good buyer and I expect them to be a good seller. If it doesn't smell right, I just keep looking until I find another.
And sometimes it's been beyond a shed I've been buying - a proper s
tter. But as long as it's presented honestly, we're all on the same page.Arnie Cunningham said:
I always aim for private purchases, only ever had one car from a trader.
I try to be a good buyer and I expect them to be a good seller. If it doesn't smell right, I just keep looking until I find another.
And sometimes it's been beyond a shed I've been buying - a proper stter. But as long as it's presented honestly, we're all on the same page.
Yes private purchases have always worked for me too, I can't think of one that's gone wrong. Especially those who have owned the car a long time and can tell you everything about it rather than a trader with no emotional attachment who is simply moving a car on. Usually get more money off too if you're brave. I try to be a good buyer and I expect them to be a good seller. If it doesn't smell right, I just keep looking until I find another.
And sometimes it's been beyond a shed I've been buying - a proper s
tter. But as long as it's presented honestly, we're all on the same page.Unlike some on here I don't gravitate towards high mileage vehicles as a long term proposition. There are exceptions but a car has a finite life and buying a car with over 150,000 miles on is not something I'm interested in, my last 2 sheds have had 41,000 and 46,000 respectively and have provided years of trouble free motoring for a combined purchase price of £950. Fashionable no, desirable no,hassle free yes.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 17th June 17:45
Good result on the mileage vs price!
I have bought one on about 160K miles (the first saab 9-5 aero hot). It was getting crusty due to age when I sold it at 180K, but the mechanicals were still good. Still produced full boost and the original auto box, while not quite as smooth as new, was still fine.
And our Peugeot 306 lasted up to 150K miles. Again, everything still ran well. Only scrapped because the alternator died and the new owner couldn't be bothered to replace the alternator and decided to PCP/Lease/whatever something. That annoyed me. It was a good car.
I used to be intimidated by buying anything over 100K miles, but I don't think I am any more.
I have bought one on about 160K miles (the first saab 9-5 aero hot). It was getting crusty due to age when I sold it at 180K, but the mechanicals were still good. Still produced full boost and the original auto box, while not quite as smooth as new, was still fine.
And our Peugeot 306 lasted up to 150K miles. Again, everything still ran well. Only scrapped because the alternator died and the new owner couldn't be bothered to replace the alternator and decided to PCP/Lease/whatever something. That annoyed me. It was a good car.
I used to be intimidated by buying anything over 100K miles, but I don't think I am any more.
Arnie Cunningham said:
So if someone doesn't pay for a month - do you go round and collect it? Do you have any leverage to either get your car back, or a get them to pay?
I guess most people are decent - but you must have a blacklist too?
And can we ask - police pound - what had they seized it for?
I keep telling people I'm a reasonable bloke. If people phone up and talk to me about financial difficulties I'm generally pretty flexible, and will do what I can. But the bill has to be paid before the end of the month (Always due on the 1st). But I'm pretty intolerant to those who say nothing, and don't pay.I guess most people are decent - but you must have a blacklist too?
And can we ask - police pound - what had they seized it for?
1) Nice reminder text to say I couldn't find their payment in our account, please could they check and provide a reference.
2) 2 days, a stronger message to say they owe money. Please can they pay (still polite).
3) A message to say I will be formally writing to them at their provided address demanding payment. This is normally by the middle of the month.
4) The letter.
5) Remote immobilisation, recovery, and usually a later court appearance demanding a) Lost rent, b) Payment for the key, c) Payment for recovery. d) Incidental losses if appropriate.
Previous bloke was caught drunk driving with no insurance. Car impounded, bloke goes to earth. So he will be subject to THE LETTER demanding final payment. £350 for the impound charge, £450 recovery from 3 hours away, £140 lost rental, £30 cleaning and miscellaneous charges. He won't pay of course, so there will be additional charges on top of that (court etc).
We are not particularly litigious, but we fish at the bottom of the lake, so we would expect to disturb some s
t. And I refuse to jeopardise the business because an idiot is an idiot. I don't generally have much of a spidery sense. Some people I have been dubious about have been great, and some whom I thought would be great have been complete turds. Natives are on balance less decent than the Eastern Europeans I work with. (Though many natives are great). About 5% of my customers turn out to be dishonest scoundrels whom we fall out with.
bearman68 said:
Arnie Cunningham said:
So if someone doesn't pay for a month - do you go round and collect it? Do you have any leverage to either get your car back, or a get them to pay?
I guess most people are decent - but you must have a blacklist too?
And can we ask - police pound - what had they seized it for?
I keep telling people I'm a reasonable bloke. If people phone up and talk to me about financial difficulties I'm generally pretty flexible, and will do what I can. But the bill has to be paid before the end of the month (Always due on the 1st). But I'm pretty intolerant to those who say nothing, and don't pay.I guess most people are decent - but you must have a blacklist too?
And can we ask - police pound - what had they seized it for?
1) Nice reminder text to say I couldn't find their payment in our account, please could they check and provide a reference.
2) 2 days, a stronger message to say they owe money. Please can they pay (still polite).
3) A message to say I will be formally writing to them at their provided address demanding payment. This is normally by the middle of the month.
4) The letter.
5) Remote immobilisation, recovery, and usually a later court appearance demanding a) Lost rent, b) Payment for the key, c) Payment for recovery. d) Incidental losses if appropriate.
Previous bloke was caught drunk driving with no insurance. Car impounded, bloke goes to earth. So he will be subject to THE LETTER demanding final payment. £350 for the impound charge, £450 recovery from 3 hours away, £140 lost rental, £30 cleaning and miscellaneous charges. He won't pay of course, so there will be additional charges on top of that (court etc).
We are not particularly litigious, but we fish at the bottom of the lake, so we would expect to disturb some s
t. And I refuse to jeopardise the business because an idiot is an idiot. I don't generally have much of a spidery sense. Some people I have been dubious about have been great, and some whom I thought would be great have been complete turds. Natives are on balance less decent than the Eastern Europeans I work with. (Though many natives are great). About 5% of my customers turn out to be dishonest scoundrels whom we fall out with.
Gave in to my timing belt anxiety on the shed last week 
Spent the princely sum of £90 on a gates belt/water pump kit from the bay. A couple hours spent on a nice afternoon to get it all done
PXL_20210605_145839107 by Steve, on Flickr
Seemed a shame to go that far and not change the oil and filters so that's done too...just in time for the gasket on the vacuum pump to start leaking oil
Spent the princely sum of £90 on a gates belt/water pump kit from the bay. A couple hours spent on a nice afternoon to get it all done
PXL_20210605_145839107 by Steve, on FlickrSeemed a shame to go that far and not change the oil and filters so that's done too...just in time for the gasket on the vacuum pump to start leaking oil
Lord Cunnington Smythe said:
Arnie Cunningham said:
I always aim for private purchases, only ever had one car from a trader.
I try to be a good buyer and I expect them to be a good seller. If it doesn't smell right, I just keep looking until I find another.
And sometimes it's been beyond a shed I've been buying - a proper stter. But as long as it's presented honestly, we're all on the same page.
Yes private purchases have always worked for me too, I can't think of one that's gone wrong. Especially those who have owned the car a long time and can tell you everything about it rather than a trader with no emotional attachment who is simply moving a car on. Usually get more money off too if you're brave. I try to be a good buyer and I expect them to be a good seller. If it doesn't smell right, I just keep looking until I find another.
And sometimes it's been beyond a shed I've been buying - a proper s
tter. But as long as it's presented honestly, we're all on the same page.Unlike some on here I don't gravitate towards high mileage vehicles as a long term proposition. There are exceptions but a car has a finite life and buying a car with over 150,000 miles on is not something I'm interested in, my last 2 sheds have had 41,000 and 46,000 respectively and have provided years of trouble free motoring for a combined purchase price of £950. Fashionable no, desirable no,hassle free yes.
Edited by Lord Cunnington Smythe on Thursday 17th June 17:45
R50 BPS said:
My best purchases have been those I've not even thought twice about and just jumped in with both feet. (see Yaris and high mileage V70) - those I've scoured the history etc have been the bad ones... I cannot figure it out!
Totally agree, I bought a Honda Civic Type S because it had complete Honda Service history. It had been serviced and MOTd at Honda every single year and had every single original invoice which was over £4K worth. I suspect it was originally a Honda staff members car and then sold through Honda to the guy I bought it from.It was a saggy heap of junk with numerous issues that became clear within the first few days of ownership. Obviously when I got rid of it two months later I made a big thing of all the service history and photographed it all laid out on the table.....
Current shed I bought because I literally needed a car to get to work on Monday. I was borrowing cars to get to work from family members and needed to find something I could view on my way home from work. I found the cheapest diesel Megane on eBay that was remotely close to my route home on the M25 and arranged to see it.
The car was at a back street garage around the back looking a bit unloved next to a skip full of car parts and various junk lying around. The story was it belonged to a friend of the owner and he was selling on his behalf. "For one of these it is really good" said the garage owner, "sure" I thought so I started it up, drove it around the yard and thought "it will do"
I collected it on the Saturday and met the owner, a guy who's job was selling airplanes. He had a similar commute to me, just in the other direction and was selling the car as he had bought an A4 TDi instead. I suspect his friend sourced the car for him from a customer and he decided he didn't like it and wanted something a bit bigger.
Anyway, four years on no issues at all and turns out the garage owner was not lying. First time I serviced the car every single bolt holding the under tray on was present and all were coated in copper slip.
Steve93 said:
Gave in to my timing belt anxiety on the shed last week
Spent the princely sum of £90 on a gates belt/water pump kit from the bay. A couple hours spent on a nice afternoon to get it all done
PXL_20210605_145839107 by Steve, on Flickr
Seemed a shame to go that far and not change the oil and filters so that's done too...just in time for the gasket on the vacuum pump to start leaking oil
Good job, good price Spent the princely sum of £90 on a gates belt/water pump kit from the bay. A couple hours spent on a nice afternoon to get it all done
PXL_20210605_145839107 by Steve, on FlickrSeemed a shame to go that far and not change the oil and filters so that's done too...just in time for the gasket on the vacuum pump to start leaking oil
Which engine is that ? Variable timing on admission..?
I really want to be more mechanically minded which I'd like to think would come with shed experience at the end of this year but for those who do it,how do you do it? Lifetime of tinkering or mechanical background? I'm a joiner(carpenter depending on location) by trade and scare myself with anything that's not wood but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.
but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.Ryyy said:
I really want to be more mechanically minded which I'd like to think would come with shed experience at the end of this year but for those who do it,how do you do it? Lifetime of tinkering or mechanical background? I'm a joiner(carpenter depending on location) by trade and scare myself with anything that's not wood but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.
I think you will read that we are all from diverse background: some have mechanical training (practice or design), some learned with their parents (ok, dad but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.
), others with friends (because no money, or money and track cars), some just went and tried....I think, before commiting to it, you need to know if:
- you are - at least - a bit handy: you can use basic tools like screwdrivers, drill, saw, and have notion and control of the force you apply to things (opposite of Clarkson with his hammer
). If you are a carpenter, that should be alright, but still worth mentionning- you are ready to spend hours to read forums about car maintenance, watch videos (a lot of useless ones to watch to find good ones), find the parts YOUR CAR really needs (for some cars and parts, the classic websites are a pain and list you any part except the one you need, just to be sure you purchase something)
- you are ready to invest some money in tooling (more than you think if you want to do a good job, and in safety)
- you are ready to crawl - IN SAFFETY - under your car and come back dirty and full of scares. Your OH will sometimes laugh, sometimes be upset.
- you are ready to be stuck because of not having the good tool/good part, and have the car stuck for more hours (days?) than you think or planned
Once you are happy with all that, then nothing is really difficult really... Spend time reading and finding the correct "service/maintenance manual", and crack on. Start with easy stuff (filter change, oil change) and then increase the difficulty little by little...until you find were the pain is higher than the pleasure
Still didn't do any timing belt...Mine is due, I have the parts: need to find time, motivation, and self confidence
Edited by cedrichn on Friday 18th June 13:54
Ryyy said:
I really want to be more mechanically minded which I'd like to think would come with shed experience at the end of this year but for those who do it,how do you do it? Lifetime of tinkering or mechanical background? I'm a joiner(carpenter depending on location) by trade and scare myself with anything that's not wood but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.
Grew up helping my dad with mechanical stuff he has a good range of tools so then when I got my own cars I just started out repairing them - small easy jobs give you a lot of confidence to take on bigger stuff, plenty of guides around now on doing jobs to cars and YouTube videos of people doing that exact repair - Cambelts you mention above I actually prefer not to do, I've done a few with good success but you guys changing belts and alternators etc etc is where I want to be at.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff