Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me to introduce you to...
Discussion
The Mighty Getz...
It helps, (as always) to start at the beginning when possible.
Things got turned upside down by my ex declaring "it's over" from out of the blue. The keen eyed out there will notice both the bike and the For Sale sign.
Everything had to go (that was mine (had moved onto bikes purely because cheap speed)). So, I moved out, and that was where the fun really began. Sent licence off for photo update. It never returned. Long story short, the authorities said I never had one to begin with (take a picture or photocopy before sending is my advice). This was compounded by lack of any paperwork (insurance cover isn't accepted as proof of having a licence) to prove their mistake (somehow misplaced during the upheaval? Evil Ex?).
Time passes and I meet my now wife. Retaking test gets pushed to the backburner. We move to another city. Shortly after moving, my now mother in law donated the Getz (diesel) to us (was 8/9 years old, FSH, 60k on clock).
Where it sat on the drive for five years...(give or take a month or two)
Shamefully, I didn't take pictures. The car was green, complete with moss and lichen by the time I got around to taking my test again (wife doesn't want to drive). Using two bottles of Cif Power and Shine kitchen cleaner (cheap tangerine oil) and being left to soak for twenty minutes, we got it back to how it should look. Colour restoring Cut and Polish after brought it back great. (again,no pics. Sorry).
Passed the MOT first time after checking the bulbs and buying 4 new Continentals. MOT tester wasn't impressed about all the spiders. but I'm willing to bet the spiders were not impressed either.
Words like handling, refinement and dynamics were not on the design brief (C-Max in picture was such a better car...Yes, a C-Max...) . I've found this out after about 15k's worth of experiences. It's reasonably nippy once it's rolling,but it'll never be chosen for speed.
So why the mighty Getz tag?
Because it's almost unstoppable. And I dont mean rubbish brakes...
Clutch slave gubbins at the front of the engine died after about 6 weeks (caused by old fluid eating the seals). Was about 15 miles from home, very late at night (collecting step son from work). Drove home with no clutch (used starter motor to get it rolling).
It's taken us on a 200mile round trip camping (fully loaded, not much room after 4 people have got in without camping gear, let alone with).
Taken three quarters of a ton of concrete pillars to the tip.
Scalped a McLaren 720S (The guy who owns this car really shouldn't have it. Drives in between two lanes at about half the speed limit (18mph in a 40...). I've got places I need to be (see bike above...)).
Carried motorcycles in the back on several occasions, and furniture also. Carried a double mattress to my Sons home, and a cooker to my other Sons home. Not at the same time sadly.
Driven over kerbs without even a slight scrape (because wife complained it was a shame we couldn't zip straight to the lights instead of going the long way around). Was quiet, and no one in sight. No, I don't normally do this type of thing, but by this point my thoughts were "I'll bet the unstoppable little twit can"
Did a trip to London in the recent heatwave and didn't skip a beat. Goes to Devon regularly also.
Surprisingly torquey and well geared at lower speeds. Will pull 40 in second, and pulls from 22mph to 68 in third. I have left it in third once or twice to prove to myself that it could be a semi auto.
Turns on a penny at low speed. Tiny circle.
Negatives.
Eats n/s/f tyres. Specifically, the very outer edge. Garage reckons it is due to weight of diesel lump up front, combined with excessive (generally) ride height. Have looked at other Getz, and they all seem jacked up somewhat.
Bodyroll. There are ships out there that roll less. Garage says current shocks are fine from an MOT perspective, so no point (just buy a better car). It has had new lower control arms, because it was almost as cheap as getting the bushes replaced on old ones.
Zero road presence. People look at you and think they are better. You'll get cut up, people pulling out on you and generally treated badly (why risk your expensive car against an old snot box?). I'm not fond of crashing, luckily for them. (I've tried the biking trick of running with lights on constantly. Doesn't work).
Indicator/light stalks on the wrong way around. Took me a while to stop wiping the windows when turning...
Middle seat belt wouldn't retract. Pledge sorted that one. Nice lemon scent to it since too!
Aircon doesn't work. Central locking is temperamental. Washers still don't quite work properly (garage is looking for a cheap washer bottle as a replacement/solution).
Seats could be a little more comfortable (picking holes now as it's 14 years old).
Running costs
£30 a year tax.
Returns between 45 and 60mpg. Motorways are when it drinks.
Has had just shy of £1000 spent on it since getting it rolling again. £70 on a minor service. £100 for clutch slave fitted. £320 for a full 60k service and a pair of new lower control arms, most recently £300 for new discs and pads all round, fitted. (I'm nearly 50 and I can't be bothered getting on the floor anymore).
Tyres are £65 a corner for Continental ContiEcoContact 5's. May try AllSeasonContact next as wet weather grip up front isn't the best.
Summary.
I'd recommend one like I'd recommend a Dog from the shelter. Don't expect much if anything at all, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. These can be picked up for £500 with FSH. Owners don't tend to sell them so approach with caution. Rear subframe is biggest known issue with these cars, so if its grotty underneath, walk away. Dealers expect £1500 on average (nice profit, and unlikely to be claims on warranty).
It's like a reincarnation of the 2CV (minus gear lever in dash). Not sure I'd buy one new though.
It helps, (as always) to start at the beginning when possible.
Things got turned upside down by my ex declaring "it's over" from out of the blue. The keen eyed out there will notice both the bike and the For Sale sign.
Everything had to go (that was mine (had moved onto bikes purely because cheap speed)). So, I moved out, and that was where the fun really began. Sent licence off for photo update. It never returned. Long story short, the authorities said I never had one to begin with (take a picture or photocopy before sending is my advice). This was compounded by lack of any paperwork (insurance cover isn't accepted as proof of having a licence) to prove their mistake (somehow misplaced during the upheaval? Evil Ex?).
Time passes and I meet my now wife. Retaking test gets pushed to the backburner. We move to another city. Shortly after moving, my now mother in law donated the Getz (diesel) to us (was 8/9 years old, FSH, 60k on clock).
Where it sat on the drive for five years...(give or take a month or two)
Shamefully, I didn't take pictures. The car was green, complete with moss and lichen by the time I got around to taking my test again (wife doesn't want to drive). Using two bottles of Cif Power and Shine kitchen cleaner (cheap tangerine oil) and being left to soak for twenty minutes, we got it back to how it should look. Colour restoring Cut and Polish after brought it back great. (again,no pics. Sorry).
Passed the MOT first time after checking the bulbs and buying 4 new Continentals. MOT tester wasn't impressed about all the spiders. but I'm willing to bet the spiders were not impressed either.
Words like handling, refinement and dynamics were not on the design brief (C-Max in picture was such a better car...Yes, a C-Max...) . I've found this out after about 15k's worth of experiences. It's reasonably nippy once it's rolling,but it'll never be chosen for speed.
So why the mighty Getz tag?
Because it's almost unstoppable. And I dont mean rubbish brakes...
Clutch slave gubbins at the front of the engine died after about 6 weeks (caused by old fluid eating the seals). Was about 15 miles from home, very late at night (collecting step son from work). Drove home with no clutch (used starter motor to get it rolling).
It's taken us on a 200mile round trip camping (fully loaded, not much room after 4 people have got in without camping gear, let alone with).
Taken three quarters of a ton of concrete pillars to the tip.
Scalped a McLaren 720S (The guy who owns this car really shouldn't have it. Drives in between two lanes at about half the speed limit (18mph in a 40...). I've got places I need to be (see bike above...)).
Carried motorcycles in the back on several occasions, and furniture also. Carried a double mattress to my Sons home, and a cooker to my other Sons home. Not at the same time sadly.
Driven over kerbs without even a slight scrape (because wife complained it was a shame we couldn't zip straight to the lights instead of going the long way around). Was quiet, and no one in sight. No, I don't normally do this type of thing, but by this point my thoughts were "I'll bet the unstoppable little twit can"
Did a trip to London in the recent heatwave and didn't skip a beat. Goes to Devon regularly also.
Surprisingly torquey and well geared at lower speeds. Will pull 40 in second, and pulls from 22mph to 68 in third. I have left it in third once or twice to prove to myself that it could be a semi auto.
Turns on a penny at low speed. Tiny circle.
Negatives.
Eats n/s/f tyres. Specifically, the very outer edge. Garage reckons it is due to weight of diesel lump up front, combined with excessive (generally) ride height. Have looked at other Getz, and they all seem jacked up somewhat.
Bodyroll. There are ships out there that roll less. Garage says current shocks are fine from an MOT perspective, so no point (just buy a better car). It has had new lower control arms, because it was almost as cheap as getting the bushes replaced on old ones.
Zero road presence. People look at you and think they are better. You'll get cut up, people pulling out on you and generally treated badly (why risk your expensive car against an old snot box?). I'm not fond of crashing, luckily for them. (I've tried the biking trick of running with lights on constantly. Doesn't work).
Indicator/light stalks on the wrong way around. Took me a while to stop wiping the windows when turning...
Middle seat belt wouldn't retract. Pledge sorted that one. Nice lemon scent to it since too!
Aircon doesn't work. Central locking is temperamental. Washers still don't quite work properly (garage is looking for a cheap washer bottle as a replacement/solution).
Seats could be a little more comfortable (picking holes now as it's 14 years old).
Running costs
£30 a year tax.
Returns between 45 and 60mpg. Motorways are when it drinks.
Has had just shy of £1000 spent on it since getting it rolling again. £70 on a minor service. £100 for clutch slave fitted. £320 for a full 60k service and a pair of new lower control arms, most recently £300 for new discs and pads all round, fitted. (I'm nearly 50 and I can't be bothered getting on the floor anymore).
Tyres are £65 a corner for Continental ContiEcoContact 5's. May try AllSeasonContact next as wet weather grip up front isn't the best.
Summary.
I'd recommend one like I'd recommend a Dog from the shelter. Don't expect much if anything at all, and you'll be pleasantly surprised. These can be picked up for £500 with FSH. Owners don't tend to sell them so approach with caution. Rear subframe is biggest known issue with these cars, so if its grotty underneath, walk away. Dealers expect £1500 on average (nice profit, and unlikely to be claims on warranty).
It's like a reincarnation of the 2CV (minus gear lever in dash). Not sure I'd buy one new though.
Edited by Volcanic on Saturday 22 August 16:47
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