The Joy of Running an Old Shed
Discussion
greenarrow said:
That looks really nice. Is it one of the early 115BHP 1.6s? I know a lot of 1.6s are the 99BHP one, which I've always felt would feel a little under-powered as its basically the same power the 1.6 like mine has, but carrying an additional 100-150KG of weight around with it...knowing how mine feels noticeably slower 3 or 4 up, I thought maybe i should avoid that particular spec. The 115, I'm thinking would be on a par with mine and the 1.8 Mk2, a bit faster.
I've been doing a Readers Car thread too and like you have been amazed at the interest and generally positive comment. Seems the bread and butter Ford Focus is one of those cars that people generally don't have much bad to say about...
Well the interior is nice, which is the main thing for me. The exterior however, is a little, let's just say, rough. In fact every single panel has a dent or has rust on it but it does for me. I've been doing a Readers Car thread too and like you have been amazed at the interest and generally positive comment. Seems the bread and butter Ford Focus is one of those cars that people generally don't have much bad to say about...
I think it's the 99hp version and wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding but it's decent on fuel and costs me next to nowt to run
Where's your RC thread?
p4cks said:
Been driving my Evora to and from work for the past fortnight and I'd began to miss the shed, so tomorrow I'll be taking it to work with me!
It's weird how a car with such a low value actually means more to you
I've not really been driving at all, as it's nice enough to jump on my bike, but I'm missing driving my shed more than the M5 or whatever else that's sat there. Strange isn't it. Don't get me wrong, a blast out in a nice car would be great but I'm itching to fill the shed with wood and do a tip run.It's weird how a car with such a low value actually means more to you
Best mate has been offered a swap for his '02 Accord 2.0 petrol for a 2005 1.8 TDCI Titanium Focus, full ST replica :/
Loads of work done recently and a fresh years test. No wet belt until '07 in those either.
Only thing it, despite Titanium spec, seems a bit mean. Has the full ST leather though.
Loads of work done recently and a fresh years test. No wet belt until '07 in those either.
Only thing it, despite Titanium spec, seems a bit mean. Has the full ST leather though.
greenarrow said:
p4cks said:
greenarrow said:
Change of topic, just wondering what sheddist's views are on the Mk2 Ford Focus. Aside from the ST/RS variants it seems a bit unloved in comparison with the MK1, possibly because the styling was so underwhelming after the new edge original. However, the original Mk2 Focus 1.6 Zetec is still one of only two bread and butter hatchbacks in the last 25 years that I recall getting a full 5 star road test verdict from Autocar (the other being the Mk1 Focus 1.8 Zetec!) and it seems to me they're a bit better built. For example, rust doesn't appear to be an issue like it is with so many Mk1s. Also, has slightly better spec but remains (if you avoid the 1.6 TDCI) a pretty reliable car by all accounts....
I've seem some very keenly priced Mk2s recently and must admit I am wondering about making the change as my own Mk1 is 20 years old in May and will need some TLC in the next year I think.......
Experiences of Mk2 Focus owners (preferably petrol ones) appreciated........
Loads of us running mk2 1.6s, here's my £525 Ghia (with all the bells and whistles) that I've done 8K miles in the last year inI've seem some very keenly priced Mk2s recently and must admit I am wondering about making the change as my own Mk1 is 20 years old in May and will need some TLC in the next year I think.......
Experiences of Mk2 Focus owners (preferably petrol ones) appreciated........
Readers Cars thread here, and funny enough it's had more replies than my Evora and Clio V6 RCs threads! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I've been doing a Readers Car thread too and like you have been amazed at the interest and generally positive comment. Seems the bread and butter Ford Focus is one of those cars that people generally don't have much bad to say about...
I think this thread has come to fruition especially over these troubling weeks we have had.
"The Joy of running an old shed" with not a care in the world, no expensive payments to worry, if it breaks either fix it or start again.
Alot of people/friends/colleagues I know are really struggling with payments on their new cars, many have lost their jobs, it really is a toss up whether to pay bills or pay for the car sat on the drive, they have seen the light and have even said to me after all this, shedding is the future...!
"The Joy of running an old shed" with not a care in the world, no expensive payments to worry, if it breaks either fix it or start again.
Alot of people/friends/colleagues I know are really struggling with payments on their new cars, many have lost their jobs, it really is a toss up whether to pay bills or pay for the car sat on the drive, they have seen the light and have even said to me after all this, shedding is the future...!
mercedeslimos said:
Best mate has been offered a swap for his '02 Accord 2.0 petrol for a 2005 1.8 TDCI Titanium Focus, full ST replica :/
Loads of work done recently and a fresh years test. No wet belt until '07 in those either.
Only thing it, despite Titanium spec, seems a bit mean. Has the full ST leather though.
I'd imagine it's not such a bad deal. If he does get the Focus and if in the future it does break beyond economical repair, then you've got the 'insurance' that the ST parts are probably worth much more than the car. So as long as he doesn't mind breaking it for bits, could be onto a winner.Loads of work done recently and a fresh years test. No wet belt until '07 in those either.
Only thing it, despite Titanium spec, seems a bit mean. Has the full ST leather though.
Although, I'm not sure I could live with driving round in a replica chav mobile
STIfree said:
I'd imagine it's not such a bad deal. If he does get the Focus and if in the future it does break beyond economical repair, then you've got the 'insurance' that the ST parts are probably worth much more than the car. So as long as he doesn't mind breaking it for bits, could be onto a winner.
Although, I'm not sure I could live with driving round in a replica chav mobile
The Accord owes him <€600, and is an executive spec one with leather and good and reliable, but he's doing 400 miles a week to work like me, and 32mpg hits him hard now he's had a child. He loves the modified look, has a vRS Octavia he's fiddling around with and a very well modified S14 Nissan Silvia too. Although, I'm not sure I could live with driving round in a replica chav mobile
p4cks said:
Well the interior is nice, which is the main thing for me. The exterior however, is a little, let's just say, rough. In fact every single panel has a dent or has rust on it but it does for me.
I think it's the 99hp version and wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding but it's decent on fuel and costs me next to nowt to run
Where's your RC thread?
Under "My shed Focus MK1 Ghia" in the RC section.I think it's the 99hp version and wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding but it's decent on fuel and costs me next to nowt to run
Where's your RC thread?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by greenarrow on Friday 10th April 12:06
magpie215 said:
Let's hope it doesn't get too popular can't have the prices riding and short supply.... :-)
I reckon they will and they will. Friend of mine works in the trade and they’re massively rebalancing their stock. Anything over £10k they are getting shot of, even at small losses. He’s stocking up on smart looking £2k - £5k metal.
Says he’s getting two dozen enquires a day, all the same theme “how much for my 2 year old x to settle the finance? What have you got that’s reliable for a couple of grand”.
New cars are in for a massive downturn in 2020. So the constant supply of used dries up.
Even now in the trade decent £2k - £5k stuff is getting hoovered up and prices are firming. He reckons the new car showrooms will be a bloodbath / empty for at least the next next 12 months, maybe longer.
We’ll see I guess.
Plate spinner said:
magpie215 said:
Let's hope it doesn't get too popular can't have the prices riding and short supply.... :-)
I reckon they will and they will. Friend of mine works in the trade and they’re massively rebalancing their stock. Anything over £10k they are getting shot of, even at small losses. He’s stocking up on smart looking £2k - £5k metal.
Says he’s getting two dozen enquires a day, all the same theme “how much for my 2 year old x to settle the finance? What have you got that’s reliable for a couple of grand”.
New cars are in for a massive downturn in 2020. So the constant supply of used dries up.
Even now in the trade decent £2k - £5k stuff is getting hoovered up and prices are firming. He reckons the new car showrooms will be a bloodbath / empty for at least the next next 12 months, maybe longer.
We’ll see I guess.
It warms my heart thinking of all those PCP'd Audi's parked up.
vikingaero said:
Woody John said:
It warms my heart thinking of all those PCP'd Audi's parked up.
It's almost as though the streets are now friendly and less aggressive. 
The audi won't be on your rear bumper, it'll be in the boot!
This'd make a great summer shed. Even if it died it'd still make most of it's money back being sold to a breaker.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seat-Leon-1-8-20v-T-222...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seat-Leon-1-8-20v-T-222...
p4cks said:
Loads of us running mk2 1.6s, here's my £525 Ghia (with all the bells and whistles) that I've done 8K miles in the last year in
Readers Cars thread here, and funny enough it's had more replies than my Evora and Clio V6 RCs threads! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Sadly my MK2 Focus came to an untimely end on an unlit traffic island, recently. Fortunately I still have my Volvo XC70 Shed, going strong. Not that I've been driving it very much.Readers Cars thread here, and funny enough it's had more replies than my Evora and Clio V6 RCs threads! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Oxford1971 said:
p4cks said:
Loads of us running mk2 1.6s, here's my £525 Ghia (with all the bells and whistles) that I've done 8K miles in the last year in
Readers Cars thread here, and funny enough it's had more replies than my Evora and Clio V6 RCs threads! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Sadly my MK2 Focus came to an untimely end on an unlit traffic island, recently. Fortunately I still have my Volvo XC70 Shed, going strong. Not that I've been driving it very much.Readers Cars thread here, and funny enough it's had more replies than my Evora and Clio V6 RCs threads! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
When does a car become a shed? My car is 12 years old and has done 140k now. I have had it for four years now and paid a lot more than shed money for it. I look after it mechanically it’s well serviced and runs Michelin tyres. I don’t think it’s worth a great deal now.
However I aren’t precious about it (like some of my old cars and it’s quite a liberating feeling!) although I wouldn’t intentionally damage/ abuse it.
However I aren’t precious about it (like some of my old cars and it’s quite a liberating feeling!) although I wouldn’t intentionally damage/ abuse it.
keo said:
When does a car become a shed? My car is 12 years old and has done 140k now. I have had it for four years now and paid a lot more than shed money for it. I look after it mechanically it’s well serviced and runs Michelin tyres. I don’t think it’s worth a great deal now.
However I aren’t precious about it (like some of my old cars and it’s quite a liberating feeling!) although I wouldn’t intentionally damage/ abuse it.
Budget tyres, one oil change every 12k miles with the MOT,and that's it for servicing, only washed for each MOT, used to take rubbish to the dump when its open, scratches all over the bumpers, never change the cambelt, never worry about where you leave it, never parked in a garage, always filled with supermarket petrol.However I aren’t precious about it (like some of my old cars and it’s quite a liberating feeling!) although I wouldn’t intentionally damage/ abuse it.
If you break any one of those rules it is not a shed
Budget tyres, one oil change every 12k miles ith the MOT,and that's it for servicing, only washed for each MOT, used to take rubbish to the dump when its open, scratches all over the bumpers, never change the cambelt, never worry about where you leave it, never parked in a garage, always filled with supermarket petrol.
If you break any one of those rules it is not a shed
[/quote]
This is exactly how I run my shed focus, though it gets serviced including belt and plugs and repairs done as needed + basic oil/coolant/brake fluid and tyre pressure checks when needed. Currently has a broken wing mirror held in place with gorilla tape as my garage can't get the part needed to repair it, scratches all over also from many tip runs and had been used to transport heavy tiles, doors,sofas and fridges during its illustrious career
Only on 76k due to low annual miles so I'm hopeful plenty of life left. It still drives and handles great too. Owned for 10 yrs and will be sad to see it go when I move it on but all good things must end ..
If you break any one of those rules it is not a shed
[/quote]
This is exactly how I run my shed focus, though it gets serviced including belt and plugs and repairs done as needed + basic oil/coolant/brake fluid and tyre pressure checks when needed. Currently has a broken wing mirror held in place with gorilla tape as my garage can't get the part needed to repair it, scratches all over also from many tip runs and had been used to transport heavy tiles, doors,sofas and fridges during its illustrious career
Only on 76k due to low annual miles so I'm hopeful plenty of life left. It still drives and handles great too. Owned for 10 yrs and will be sad to see it go when I move it on but all good things must end ..
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