The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
Lord Cunnington Smythe said:
Why not treat a car that cost 500 quid the same as one that cost 10 times as much? It's doing the same job. If it needs a water pump change it, if the timing belt needs doing do it. No wonder people are chopping and changing every 6 months, must cost them a fortune. Never understood the attitude of it was cheap so I'll neglect it.
Let's not talk about the cambelt roulette currently being played with my history less shed 
This one isn't a long term keeper, bodywork is crap, no history; I chop and change quite regularly for fun, in fact the eleven months or so I've had it has been the longest I've kept a car in some time. So won't be spending £600 on a belt change that may or may not need done. I would do an oil change for fifty quid but if it hasn't done many miles then is there much of a point ...
Romford4 said:
I don't usually read Pistonheads... too many Billy Big b
ks bragging about their PCP'd-up M4 or whatever. However this topic caught my eye a few months ago and I've read every post from the OP's first on page 1 through to now. Do I get a medal or any kind of prize?
I tend to find sheds to be far more interesting than the latest whiz-bang M-series/AMG/RS whatever. And anything that plays sports exhaust noises from speakers under the car is beneath contempt in my book
. I'd take a 10 yr old Aygo with 100k on the clock over a sporty 'prestige' German anony-box any day of the week. I'm not into track-days and drive/ride only on the public roads. I've frittered £1000+ per month away on expensive cars in the past and very quickly realised that for me personally, I have more fun hustling an old shed along a country road than any overly complicated, under-engineered & over-priced status symbol. There's a lot to be said for a car in which you need to be able to plan your overtakes carefully, to build and keep momentum going, to reach the limits of grip without going over them on some worn budget tyres, to learn some basic mechanical skills, to be able to park anywhere without worrying that some neerdowell will damage your finance company's property, to not be a worrier about breakdowns and being 'stranded', and to not give two sts about what your neighbours in the 'Who's got the newest, highest-specced Range Rover club' think 
(Yep, that's my street... lots of anonymous identikit new-build houses, with heavily financed identikit new 'prestige' cars parked outside).
Magpie, I saw a competitor to your Grot-box Galaxy near the Queensferry Crossing near Edinburgh about a month ago. Various coloured panels (and wheel-trims), but then I realised the owner had deliberately gone to the time and effort (& minor expense) of painting it in various bright (non-Ford) colours to create the look. Nil points from me..... a shed should be an organic evolvement, not an imposter. Maybe he just wants to annoy his neighbours?
Anyway, I'm driving a 5 year old bottom spec Civic, so currently WAAAAY off shed territory and not worthy of inclusion on this thread, but it's a keeper will one day achieve shed greatness!... maybe even with mis-matched panels. Had to check myself a few weeks ago when some lacquer was peeling off one of the alloys and corrosion had set in. I was contemplating blowing £800 on some new wheels 
. Soon put that idea to rest though. Overall living a fairly frugal life with some pretty cheap cars (bar the occasional stupid, but usually short-lived, splurge) has put me in the position whereby I'm able to retire when I turn 48 in a few months time. I'll likely still do plenty of work but it'll be 0-hours or contracting, entirely on my terms, and I won't be a wage-slave or answerable to 'the man'. I would never have been able to achieve that if I'd lived the life most of my neighbours seem to live and that buys me some serious peace-of-mind which no flash car could ever come close to.
Look forward to reading more of this thread and seeing pics of your various sheds.
Good post and echo's most of my sentiments. There is one guy on pistonheads who ONLY comments to contradict other people. Every post he makes is full of boring, contradictory pseudo intellectual guff, he did it again to Jaguar steve the other day for daring to speak sense. Of course he also has to mention in every post that he drives an M2 "amongst others" as if anyone else cares, complete self absorbed boring tit.ks bragging about their PCP'd-up M4 or whatever. However this topic caught my eye a few months ago and I've read every post from the OP's first on page 1 through to now. Do I get a medal or any kind of prize? I tend to find sheds to be far more interesting than the latest whiz-bang M-series/AMG/RS whatever. And anything that plays sports exhaust noises from speakers under the car is beneath contempt in my book
. I'd take a 10 yr old Aygo with 100k on the clock over a sporty 'prestige' German anony-box any day of the week. I'm not into track-days and drive/ride only on the public roads. I've frittered £1000+ per month away on expensive cars in the past and very quickly realised that for me personally, I have more fun hustling an old shed along a country road than any overly complicated, under-engineered & over-priced status symbol. There's a lot to be said for a car in which you need to be able to plan your overtakes carefully, to build and keep momentum going, to reach the limits of grip without going over them on some worn budget tyres, to learn some basic mechanical skills, to be able to park anywhere without worrying that some neerdowell will damage your finance company's property, to not be a worrier about breakdowns and being 'stranded', and to not give two sts about what your neighbours in the 'Who's got the newest, highest-specced Range Rover club' think (Yep, that's my street... lots of anonymous identikit new-build houses, with heavily financed identikit new 'prestige' cars parked outside). Magpie, I saw a competitor to your Grot-box Galaxy near the Queensferry Crossing near Edinburgh about a month ago. Various coloured panels (and wheel-trims), but then I realised the owner had deliberately gone to the time and effort (& minor expense) of painting it in various bright (non-Ford) colours to create the look. Nil points from me..... a shed should be an organic evolvement, not an imposter. Maybe he just wants to annoy his neighbours?
Anyway, I'm driving a 5 year old bottom spec Civic, so currently WAAAAY off shed territory and not worthy of inclusion on this thread, but it's a keeper will one day achieve shed greatness!... maybe even with mis-matched panels
. Had to check myself a few weeks ago when some lacquer was peeling off one of the alloys and corrosion had set in. I was contemplating blowing £800 on some new wheels . Soon put that idea to rest though. Overall living a fairly frugal life with some pretty cheap cars (bar the occasional stupid, but usually short-lived, splurge) has put me in the position whereby I'm able to retire when I turn 48 in a few months time. I'll likely still do plenty of work but it'll be 0-hours or contracting, entirely on my terms, and I won't be a wage-slave or answerable to 'the man'. I would never have been able to achieve that if I'd lived the life most of my neighbours seem to live and that buys me some serious peace-of-mind which no flash car could ever come close to.Look forward to reading more of this thread and seeing pics of your various sheds.
Romford4 said:
I don't usually read Pistonheads... too many Billy Big bks bragging about their PCP'd-up M4 or whatever. However this topic caught my eye a few months ago and I've read every post from the OP's first on page 1 through to now. Do I get a medal or any kind of prize?
I tend to find sheds to be far more interesting than the latest whiz-bang M-series/AMG/RS whatever. And anything that plays sports exhaust noises from speakers under the car is beneath contempt in my book. I'd take a 10 yr old Aygo with 100k on the clock over a sporty 'prestige' German anony-box any day of the week. I'm not into track-days and drive/ride only on the public roads. I've frittered £1000+ per month away on expensive cars in the past and very quickly realised that for me personally, I have more fun hustling an old shed along a country road than any overly complicated, under-engineered & over-priced status symbol. There's a lot to be said for a car in which you need to be able to plan your overtakes carefully, to build and keep momentum going, to reach the limits of grip without going over them on some worn budget tyres, to learn some basic mechanical skills, to be able to park anywhere without worrying that some neerdowell will damage your finance company's property, to not be a worrier about breakdowns and being 'stranded', and to not give two sts about what your neighbours in the 'Who's got the newest, highest-specced Range Rover club' think (Yep, that's my street... lots of anonymous identikit new-build houses, with heavily financed identikit new 'prestige' cars parked outside).
Magpie, I saw a competitor to your Grot-box Galaxy near the Queensferry Crossing near Edinburgh about a month ago. Various coloured panels (and wheel-trims), but then I realised the owner had deliberately gone to the time and effort (& minor expense) of painting it in various bright (non-Ford) colours to create the look. Nil points from me..... a shed should be an organic evolvement, not an imposter. Maybe he just wants to annoy his neighbours?
Anyway, I'm driving a 5 year old bottom spec Civic, so currently WAAAAY off shed territory and not worthy of inclusion on this thread, but it's a keeper will one day achieve shed greatness!... maybe even with mis-matched panels. Had to check myself a few weeks ago when some lacquer was peeling off one of the alloys and corrosion had set in. I was contemplating blowing £800 on some new wheels . Soon put that idea to rest though. Overall living a fairly frugal life with some pretty cheap cars (bar the occasional stupid, but usually short-lived, splurge) has put me in the position whereby I'm able to retire when I turn 48 in a few months time. I'll likely still do plenty of work but it'll be 0-hours or contracting, entirely on my terms, and I won't be a wage-slave or answerable to 'the man'. I would never have been able to achieve that if I'd lived the life most of my neighbours seem to live and that buys me some serious peace-of-mind which no flash car could ever come close to.
Look forward to reading more of this thread and seeing pics of your various sheds.
That should have been some reading! I also think that the "true shed" standard "improved" since the beginning, no? Cars are much more "decent" than what I can remember (I would not be ashamed using a lot of the most recent ones - as I would have been with the ones at the beginning IIRC).ks bragging about their PCP'd-up M4 or whatever. However this topic caught my eye a few months ago and I've read every post from the OP's first on page 1 through to now. Do I get a medal or any kind of prize? I tend to find sheds to be far more interesting than the latest whiz-bang M-series/AMG/RS whatever. And anything that plays sports exhaust noises from speakers under the car is beneath contempt in my book
. I'd take a 10 yr old Aygo with 100k on the clock over a sporty 'prestige' German anony-box any day of the week. I'm not into track-days and drive/ride only on the public roads. I've frittered £1000+ per month away on expensive cars in the past and very quickly realised that for me personally, I have more fun hustling an old shed along a country road than any overly complicated, under-engineered & over-priced status symbol. There's a lot to be said for a car in which you need to be able to plan your overtakes carefully, to build and keep momentum going, to reach the limits of grip without going over them on some worn budget tyres, to learn some basic mechanical skills, to be able to park anywhere without worrying that some neerdowell will damage your finance company's property, to not be a worrier about breakdowns and being 'stranded', and to not give two sts about what your neighbours in the 'Who's got the newest, highest-specced Range Rover club' think (Yep, that's my street... lots of anonymous identikit new-build houses, with heavily financed identikit new 'prestige' cars parked outside). Magpie, I saw a competitor to your Grot-box Galaxy near the Queensferry Crossing near Edinburgh about a month ago. Various coloured panels (and wheel-trims), but then I realised the owner had deliberately gone to the time and effort (& minor expense) of painting it in various bright (non-Ford) colours to create the look. Nil points from me..... a shed should be an organic evolvement, not an imposter. Maybe he just wants to annoy his neighbours?
Anyway, I'm driving a 5 year old bottom spec Civic, so currently WAAAAY off shed territory and not worthy of inclusion on this thread, but it's a keeper will one day achieve shed greatness!... maybe even with mis-matched panels
. Had to check myself a few weeks ago when some lacquer was peeling off one of the alloys and corrosion had set in. I was contemplating blowing £800 on some new wheels . Soon put that idea to rest though. Overall living a fairly frugal life with some pretty cheap cars (bar the occasional stupid, but usually short-lived, splurge) has put me in the position whereby I'm able to retire when I turn 48 in a few months time. I'll likely still do plenty of work but it'll be 0-hours or contracting, entirely on my terms, and I won't be a wage-slave or answerable to 'the man'. I would never have been able to achieve that if I'd lived the life most of my neighbours seem to live and that buys me some serious peace-of-mind which no flash car could ever come close to.Look forward to reading more of this thread and seeing pics of your various sheds.
You made me miss my student's (underpowered and bottom range) Xsaras (yes, with an "S" at the end
)cedrichn said:
That should have been some reading! I also think that the "true shed" standard "improved" since the beginning, no? Cars are much more "decent" than what I can remember (I would not be ashamed using a lot of the most recent ones - as I would have been with the ones at the beginning IIRC).
You made me miss my student's (underpowered and bottom range) Xsaras (yes, with an "S" at the end)
At some point this thread did go a bit "posh shed" - proper shed IMO should be under £500 of which there are still plenty being run by the contributors hereYou made me miss my student's (underpowered and bottom range) Xsaras (yes, with an "S" at the end
)I will put my hands up and say I am guilty of having two posh sheds on the road at the moment
I’m still on the hunt for a car after that Skoda sold. Anything for less than £1500. Would be great.
I’ve seen this at a local dealer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106143...
I’ve seen this at a local dealer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106143...
Edited by Mr.Nobody on Wednesday 23 June 10:32
Captain Answer said:
cedrichn said:
That should have been some reading! I also think that the "true shed" standard "improved" since the beginning, no? Cars are much more "decent" than what I can remember (I would not be ashamed using a lot of the most recent ones - as I would have been with the ones at the beginning IIRC).
You made me miss my student's (underpowered and bottom range) Xsaras (yes, with an "S" at the end)
At some point this thread did go a bit "posh shed" - proper shed IMO should be under £500 of which there are still plenty being run by the contributors hereYou made me miss my student's (underpowered and bottom range) Xsaras (yes, with an "S" at the end
)I will put my hands up and say I am guilty of having two posh sheds on the road at the moment
Edited by cedrichn on Wednesday 23 June 11:14
Arnie Cunningham said:
All my cars end up as sheds eventually, irrespective of what I paid for them when purchased. We don't move them on until they die usually.
What's your definition of a car dying?Not with my shed but 20 year old car, I've spent money on head gaskets, clutches, manufactured bits like oil cooler, things to keep it alive.
Just curious.
giblet said:
Mr.Nobody said:
I’m after either a saloon or estate for £1500 or less. Not bothered about brand of car. I’m more interested in the history and previous work.
9-3 or 9-5, have been running my 9-3 wagon for almost 3 years now. Only real issue is the VED on the later ones like mine Are you looking and searching, or just posting...?
Mr.Nobody said:
I’m still on the hunt for a car after that Skoda sold. Anything for less than £1500. Would be great.
I’ve seen this at a local dealer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106143...
We've already covered that Passat in case you missed it. One to avoid as confirmed by myself and others. I’ve seen this at a local dealer:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106143...
Edited by Mr.Nobody on Wednesday 23 June 10:32
Edited by R50 BPS on Wednesday 23 June 11:41
R50 BPS said:
We've already covered that Passat incase you missed it. One to avoid as confirmed by myself and others.
Must if missed that my apologies. I will leave that one then. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105152...
SAAB is not a bad suggestion:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
Mr.Nobody said:
R50 BPS said:
We've already covered that Passat incase you missed it. One to avoid as confirmed by myself and others.
Must if missed that my apologies. I will leave that one then. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105152...
SAAB is not a bad suggestion:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-search?advertisin...
R50 BPS said:
eBay worked for me - going by the Passat location, you must be near Liverpool, so have used the Liver Building as a postal code, one of the first cars to come up is prime, tough, safe shed material - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-850-estate-/22450...
I’m not far from Liverpool. That’s not a bad choice. Just need one i a little better condition. It’s also needs a bit doing to it. But will go for good money.Edited by Mr.Nobody on Wednesday 23 June 11:57
Edited by Mr.Nobody on Wednesday 23 June 11:57
Mr.Nobody said:
R50 BPS said:
eBay worked for me - going by the Passat location, you must be near Liverpool, so have used the Liver Building as a postal code, one of the first cars to come up is prime, tough, safe shed material - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-850-estate-/22450...
I’m not far from Liverpool. That’s not a bad choice. Just need one i a little better condition. It’s a bit too retro that interior.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-AMBIENTE-...
giblet said:
9-3 or 9-5, have been running my 9-3 wagon for almost 3 years now. Only real issue is the VED on the later ones like mine
I'm running a 9-5 estate bought for £700 (albeit, mates rates) but I have seen similar cars for around the price you mention. It hasn't been the worst shed, but has needed some fettling, and this was a car with full service history and no corners cut. In just short of 10,000 miles I've- new auxiliary belt (was splitting)
- new idler pulley (worn out pulley)
- new heater control valve (excessive coolant leak)
- new ABS ring as it had split causing myriad of warning lights
- has an intermittent airbag light issue
In the space of about 4 months.
And I feel it will need £400-500 on it for the MOT, if I can sort the airbag light out cheaply. At 100k the suspension is tired, but the engine feels good. It's comfy enough and will return 45 mpg consistently. But they aren't without niggles, so buy right!
R50 BPS said:
Another to pop up is this - seems to have had a few things done recently, the 1.6 is pretty reliable, though they do use a fair bit of oil compared to some engines.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-AMBIENTE-...
It looks okay for the price. Anything to look out for on them? Also there is this:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-OCTAVIA-AMBIENTE-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Skoda-Octavia-2-0TDI-El...
It's just when the "Can't Be Arsed" quotient becomes excessive:
But as I maintain(ed) them all all myself, it is very much a CBA score rather than £ value on a job.
- On the 1st Saab, it was when the brake lines corroded through - and they go up & over the fuel tank
- On the 2nd it was when the HID headlights all went tits up, combined with knowing the same brake line was on the cusp of going.
- On the MG, it'll probably be when the rear subframe fails the MOT.
But as I maintain(ed) them all all myself, it is very much a CBA score rather than £ value on a job.
V6todayTurboManana said:
What's your definition of a car dying?
Not with my shed but 20 year old car, I've spent money on head gaskets, clutches, manufactured bits like oil cooler, things to keep it alive.
Just curious.
Not with my shed but 20 year old car, I've spent money on head gaskets, clutches, manufactured bits like oil cooler, things to keep it alive.
Just curious.
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