The Joy of Running an Old Shed (Vol 2)

[mibman2004]

Bought this a few months ago.
2007 Jaguar X Type, 163k miles, drives really well. It had no MOT at the time but it cost me £60 to put it through!
2.2d so pulls well too. Bodywork is in great condition and the wheels had also been recently powdercoated...! Absolute steal at £525!

[Jaguar steve]

lord trumpton said:

I just can't commit to shedding.

I'm just not the type who can just 'live with things' as and when they go wrong.

No matter how cheap or how expensive any car I've owned has been, Its got to be 100% both aesthetically and mechanically.

Any niggles are always dealt with and and damage sorted asap.

I genuinely wish I could just be happy schlepping around in a tatty snotter but I just can't.

Good luck to those who can though!

Have you actually tried shedding?

Many discover the liberation that lies within having a shed as a means of isolating a much nicer car or more expensive to run one from daily use. Plenty find that drive a ragged old snotter all week and there's even more to enjoy in your polished garage queen over the weekend for example

It's not cast in stone that you have to drive a shed for the rest of eternity and it's certainly not some sort of life fail in choosing to have one but at it's least worth a go to see if it suits as a shed brings a unique set of virtues and advantages that you won't ever experience with anything else.

[bungz]

Just found ecp selling oil filters for my shed 307 for 87p each.

And 4L of suitable oil off eBay was 10 quid delivered.

Keep it happy for a while yet.

[ferrisbueller]

lord trumpton said:

I just can't commit to shedding.

I'm just not the type who can just 'live with things' as and when they go wrong.

No matter how cheap or how expensive any car I've owned has been, Its got to be 100% both aesthetically and mechanically.

Any niggles are always dealt with and and damage sorted asap.

I genuinely wish I could just be happy schlepping around in a tatty snotter but I just can't.

Good luck to those who can though!

It doesn't have to be tatty, or unreliable and continuously breaking. You can take pride in your cheap motoring.

[Alickadoo]

Quite a bit of corrosion?

[aaron_2000]

ferrisbueller said:

lord trumpton said:

I just can't commit to shedding.

I'm just not the type who can just 'live with things' as and when they go wrong.

No matter how cheap or how expensive any car I've owned has been, Its got to be 100% both aesthetically and mechanically.

Any niggles are always dealt with and and damage sorted asap.

I genuinely wish I could just be happy schlepping around in a tatty snotter but I just can't.

Good luck to those who can though!

It doesn't have to be tatty, or unreliable and continuously breaking. You can take pride in your cheap motoring.

My old 320d was case in point, 6 months of ownership and it was looked after religiously to the point of being detailed most weeks, never gave me a bill and was clean to the point of garages complimenting it. People who think a sub £1500 car means it's gonna be a knackered Cavalier with missing wheel trims, rotten arches and a broken thermostat need to get out of the 90's and into the classifieds, shed budget really an buy some seriously clean and well looked after cars.

[Truckosaurus]

ferrisbueller said:

It doesn't have to be tatty, or unreliable and continuously breaking. You can take pride in your cheap motoring.

Indeed. And if you buy well then (ie. a decent car to start with) then it doesn't have things breaking or not working.

Also, even if you were totally fastidious and spent money on keeping the bodywork 100% running a Concourse quality shed would probably still be orders of magnitude cheaper than running a brand new motorcar. (Unless it was a total rust bucket like an MX5 or '90s Merc).

[COM31E]

ferrisbueller said:

lord trumpton said:

I just can't commit to shedding.

I'm just not the type who can just 'live with things' as and when they go wrong.

No matter how cheap or how expensive any car I've owned has been, Its got to be 100% both aesthetically and mechanically.

Any niggles are always dealt with and and damage sorted asap.

I genuinely wish I could just be happy schlepping around in a tatty snotter but I just can't.

Good luck to those who can though!

It doesn't have to be tatty, or unreliable and continuously breaking. You can take pride in your cheap motoring.

I'm just going to pop in here and say, it can also be tatty, reliable and rarely broken.

My Golf looks rough as sticks, but it is mechanically spot on and wearing 160k miles with pride.

Things are wrong with it, but nothing I can't live with.

[Davie]

There is a fine line however and whilst yes, sheds don't need to be neglected buckets of crap... equally I'm not sure any fastidious behaviours towards a shed is still shedding. Being 100% over the condition of a cars bodywork is, in my mind, why shedding exists. Ie, to drive something where you aren't that concerned, don't invest hours of your time and aren't a slave to ensuring something materialistic remains flawless. As I've said before, shedding varies from person to person but if you're happy to invest lots of time on the presentation of a shed, then ask yourself "If this got scratched or dinged, would it be a massive issue for me?" and if the answer is yes, not sure that's shed ethos. Granted, most would be a bit miffed our sheds were damaged on purpose, that's different... but general wear and tear obtained whilst going about ones business with minimal f**ks is to be expected and the reason why many choose to run a shed. I'm just not sure something detailed to within an inch of it's life can be called a shed... but each to their own. Clean and presentable, yes... hours of machine polishing... that's becoming too attached, too constrained.

[COM31E]

mibman2004 said:

Bought this a few months ago.
2007 Jaguar X Type, 163k miles, drives really well. It had no MOT at the time but it cost me £60 to put it through!
2.2d so pulls well too. Bodywork is in great condition and the wheels had also been recently powdercoated...! Absolute steal at £525!

How is the underside for grot?

I had a 2009 2.2 auto one, it threw me every single common X-Type issue. Rust, injectors, EGR, rust, boost hose, rust, turbo. Also, it rusted like it had been parked in the sea.

Shame, because it was a looker and it drove well.

[MuddyK]

I think for most, shedding is a car that you can chuck anything in it, and it will take you anywhere.

It's actually quite liberating not having to worry about your car.

Also the cost of the car is compared to a number of weeks wages, scratches/dints are to be expected and it's treated as a tool for a job. Getting you A to B.

[cedrichn]

lord trumpton said:

I just can't commit to shedding.

I'm just not the type who can just 'live with things' as and when they go wrong.

No matter how cheap or how expensive any car I've owned has been, Its got to be 100% both aesthetically and mechanically.

Any niggles are always dealt with and and damage sorted asap.

I genuinely wish I could just be happy schlepping around in a tatty snotter but I just can't.

Good luck to those who can though!

Where do you live ? Since I have cars, I always lived in big-ish cities (counter intuitive logic, but we are on PH ). I can take care as much as I want, but the others won't. Can't afford to have a lock garage for all of them, and even if, what when you use them and park them ? So, after one or two years of trying to keep them "perfect", I just gave up...
The most difficult are the first scratches, if your car hasn't any at all. Once there is few here and there, then you accept the next ones much better

Edited by cedrichn on Monday 9th May 08:24

[cedrichn]

Davie said:

There is a fine line however and whilst yes, sheds don't need to be neglected buckets of crap... equally I'm not sure any fastidious behaviours towards a shed is still shedding. Being 100% over the condition of a cars bodywork is, in my mind, why shedding exists. Ie, to drive something where you aren't that concerned, don't invest hours of your time and aren't a slave to ensuring something materialistic remains flawless. As I've said before, shedding varies from person to person but if you're happy to invest lots of time on the presentation of a shed, then ask yourself "If this got scratched or dinged, would it be a massive issue for me?" and if the answer is yes, not sure that's shed ethos. Granted, most would be a bit miffed our sheds were damaged on purpose, that's different... but general wear and tear obtained whilst going about ones business with minimal f**ks is to be expected and the reason why many choose to run a shed. I'm just not sure something detailed to within an inch of it's life can be called a shed... but each to their own. Clean and presentable, yes... hours of machine polishing... that's becoming too attached, too constrained.

I agree with that: I spend quiet a lot of time in my cars, and around them. I just can't not clean a dirty car and hoover in it from time to time: I would feel like wearing dirty clothes permanently. While I can have a dirty car from time to time (or dirty clothes when working on the car or the garden), it will just not last too long. It is just not comfortable as soon as you use the car as a daily, for me.

On the other side, I can't be bothered of polishing, 2 buckets, ceramic coating, blablabla.... As said previously, living in cities, my cars get light scratches anyway. So, water on the hose, sponge, microfibre, and job done!

[aaron_2000]

Davie said:

There is a fine line however and whilst yes, sheds don't need to be neglected buckets of crap... equally I'm not sure any fastidious behaviours towards a shed is still shedding. Being 100% over the condition of a cars bodywork is, in my mind, why shedding exists. Ie, to drive something where you aren't that concerned, don't invest hours of your time and aren't a slave to ensuring something materialistic remains flawless. As I've said before, shedding varies from person to person but if you're happy to invest lots of time on the presentation of a shed, then ask yourself "If this got scratched or dinged, would it be a massive issue for me?" and if the answer is yes, not sure that's shed ethos. Granted, most would be a bit miffed our sheds were damaged on purpose, that's different... but general wear and tear obtained whilst going about ones business with minimal f**ks is to be expected and the reason why many choose to run a shed. I'm just not sure something detailed to within an inch of it's life can be called a shed... but each to their own. Clean and presentable, yes... hours of machine polishing... that's becoming too attached, too constrained.

That's partly why I sold the 320d, It was too nice to neglect. I found myself doing what I did with with more expensive metal and parking away from other cars. The big fun of a shed is not caring about bodywork

[757]

MuddyK said:

I think for most, shedding is a car that you can chuck anything in it, and it will take you anywhere.

It's actually quite liberating not having to worry about your car.

Also the cost of the car is compared to a number of weeks wages, scratches/dints are to be expected and it's treated as a tool for a job. Getting you A to B.

Exactly this, my 2008 £1k Vectra SRI 1.8, I got last month, is utterly abused for work, carrying photographic gear in the week (enormous hatchback) and taking X2 bikes at the weekends when I am out on the trails in North Wales, also makes great sense using it for business mileage, pays for itself relatively quickly if you look at it like this, as you aint paying for depreciation or anything

Really is utterly liberating not caring, for me mainly cosmetically about it, came with so many scrapes and dents, its almost cool when its parked next to some pricey metal at work

Mechanically I will change the oil every 10kish (eBay £15 oil it has), make sure its running ok - but only if it needs anything it will get money spent on it.

Still a true petrol head, just dont want to be shafted and spending my money on other things now in life, which makes me money also.

[anarki]

757 said:

MuddyK said:

I think for most, shedding is a car that you can chuck anything in it, and it will take you anywhere.

It's actually quite liberating not having to worry about your car.

Also the cost of the car is compared to a number of weeks wages, scratches/dints are to be expected and it's treated as a tool for a job. Getting you A to B.

Exactly this, my 2008 £1k Vectra SRI 1.8, I got last month, is utterly abused for work, carrying photographic gear in the week (enormous hatchback) and taking X2 bikes at the weekends when I am out on the trails in North Wales, also makes great sense using it for business mileage, pays for itself relatively quickly if you look at it like this, as you aint paying for depreciation or anything

Really is utterly liberating not caring, for me mainly cosmetically about it, came with so many scrapes and dents, its almost cool when its parked next to some pricey metal at work

Mechanically I will change the oil every 10kish (eBay £15 oil it has), make sure its running ok - but only if it needs anything it will get money spent on it.

Still a true petrol head, just dont want to be shafted and spending my money on other things now in life, which makes me money also.

The other great thing is not caring about where it gets parked in tight car parks. If someone has parked like a nob and is slightly protruding into the bay I want to occupy, I'll just occupy it. Oh your 70 plate Audi A4 has its front wheel on full lock and well into another bay, no worries our tyres can touch then

Ironically though I've not had a single car park mark/dent since owning it!

[Jaguar steve]

757 said:

Really is utterly liberating not caring, for me mainly cosmetically about it, came with so many scrapes and dents, its almost cool when its parked next to some pricey metal at work

And it really isn't a plan rocking up to work in a more expensive car than the MD drives anyway.

I always avoided taking any of my Jaguars anywhere near just in case somebody upstairs saw it and decided I was being paid too much.

[mibman2004]

COM31E said:

mibman2004 said:

Bought this a few months ago.
2007 Jaguar X Type, 163k miles, drives really well. It had no MOT at the time but it cost me £60 to put it through!
2.2d so pulls well too. Bodywork is in great condition and the wheels had also been recently powdercoated...! Absolute steal at £525!

How is the underside for grot?

I had a 2009 2.2 auto one, it threw me every single common X-Type issue. Rust, injectors, EGR, rust, boost hose, rust, turbo. Also, it rusted like it had been parked in the sea.

Shame, because it was a looker and it drove well.

The underside is fine, it’ll last a few more years at the very least. Genuinely not had any other issues with it either thankfully!

[Davie]

cedrichn said:

I agree with that: I spend quiet a lot of time in my cars, and around them. I just can't not clean a dirty car and hoover in it from time to time: I would feel like wearing dirty clothes permanently. While I can have a dirty car from time to time (or dirty clothes when working on the car or the garden), it will just not last too long. It is just not comfortable as soon as you use the car as a daily, for me.

On the other side, I can't be bothered of polishing, 2 buckets, ceramic coating, blablabla.... As said previously, living in cities, my cars get light scratches anyway. So, water on the hose, sponge, microfibre, and job done!

I'm with you on that one... no need for fastidious pampering when it comes to sheddy cars but equally, I couldn't cope with a dirty interior, as in stains, years of filth and things living in it. The sort of car you need PPE to drive it and a tetanus shot after getting out is just pretty disgusting. Granted, muddy footprints, the collateral damage of a tip run and the chaos the kids leave behind is fine and easily hoovered and wiped up.

Likewise the exterior, I'm not into green mould growing and utter neglect... that's when a shed rapidly becomes a proper shed so I'll periodically wash mine but with minimal commitment. Soak in snow foam, rinse off and that's sufficient to remove the bird crap and bits of roadkill from the front bumper. Granted, there are times I miss the days of having something nicer / shinier / faster occupying garage space doubling up as a bit of a hobby and the little use the current shed gets means I still find myself thinking I could justify something nicer, shinier...

Then I open the garage door and go "Ahhh, right... yeah, nah" and that's why shedding works for me...

[R36vw]

Ive dipped back into the market for a shed as a filler awaiting my company car delayed until Autumn. My current car has just gone back. It was a lease and I wasnt prepared to pickup the major service,mot and tyres that it was soon to need. After fastidiously going through all the usual classifieds, different models(didnt really care what it was providing it was less than £1500, I was struggling with how mamy were rotters out there. Well I picked one up last week after coinciding with the PH shed of the week(saw the post after I had bought mine. For £1085 fsh, tyres in good nick and only 1 thing not working(heated seat) 108k miles. Got the train and drove 170miles back from norfolk to Hampshire. I forgot how much fun cars like these can be. Roof down for the summer and wondering whether I will offload it when time comes