Fifth Gear 29 June
Discussion
Car Mechanics magazine beat them to the Pit Start thing by about a month 
It is a great mag. I would recommend and PHer have a look at it. Last month they refurbished an MX5, this month they have an owners guide to the Elise, and a service guide to the Alfa 156 Twin Spark. Not to mention a review of big vehicle ramps. ( I have no connection with the mag etc etc, just a happy subscriber)
It is a great mag. I would recommend and PHer have a look at it. Last month they refurbished an MX5, this month they have an owners guide to the Elise, and a service guide to the Alfa 156 Twin Spark. Not to mention a review of big vehicle ramps. ( I have no connection with the mag etc etc, just a happy subscriber)
Dracoro said:
Why? Chances are they only got one that was destined for the scrapyard anyway. A roadworthy one would have only cost the show more money.
Well, at the risk of sounding gay/like my mother - it was a lovely colour. In fact, if I was to get an MR2 again (and my OH is quite interested in one as a "shop" car) then that would be the colour I'd like. Why not destroy a hateful car instead? (the Smart car for example was a good one to total)...koenig999 said:
Watch FG ad learn something!
The 'Pit Start' drive in and use the ramp idea looked useful
Koenig
They do look like a good idea. I don't have a garage or a drive so they would be of use to someone like me.The 'Pit Start' drive in and use the ramp idea looked useful
Koenig
I wonder what kind of thing you have to sign saying you take full responsibility for any injury/damage you cause.
It's a great idea until you start a job and realise you need a part that you don't have (esp if something breaks on the job) and you can't drive the car away. All this time the clock is ticking and you end up with a far larger bill.
My mechanic charges £50ph, does the job quickly, can get parts cheaper than I can and can sort anything else that crops up as it inevitably will, esp on older cars.
e.g. DIY parts £100, 1 hour at £25, total £125
mechanic - parts £75, 1 hour at £50, total £125.
However it could be useful if you want to do something you KNOW you can sort but needs to be on a ramp to do the job. Imagine doing the brakes and during the job breaking the caliper......
Do these places offer "support" and if so, there'll always be people trying to take advantage of it.
I think there will be some use for the facilities but I don't think it will work as a business but we'll see. I'm sure this sort of thing has been tried, unsuccessfully, in the past too......
My mechanic charges £50ph, does the job quickly, can get parts cheaper than I can and can sort anything else that crops up as it inevitably will, esp on older cars.
e.g. DIY parts £100, 1 hour at £25, total £125
mechanic - parts £75, 1 hour at £50, total £125.
However it could be useful if you want to do something you KNOW you can sort but needs to be on a ramp to do the job. Imagine doing the brakes and during the job breaking the caliper......
Do these places offer "support" and if so, there'll always be people trying to take advantage of it.
I think there will be some use for the facilities but I don't think it will work as a business but we'll see. I'm sure this sort of thing has been tried, unsuccessfully, in the past too......
I would hate to be doing a job on a hired ramp charged by the hour. When doing work on my cars I like to take my time, see what else might want doing in the future or what can be done whilst certain bits are off. I wouldn't want to be watching the clock worrying about being charged another hour.
Nah, I've been waiting for a PitStart type place for years. I'm pretty keen on home servicing and can do most things, but I'm fed up with lying on my back underneath axle stands. Being able to stand properly and do the work would be fabulous. I'd bring my own tools to complement theirs.
I can see the point about what happens if you spanner something though and need to get a new part or whatever.
I can see the point about what happens if you spanner something though and need to get a new part or whatever.
sniff diesel said:
I would hate to be doing a job on a hired ramp charged by the hour. When doing work on my cars I like to take my time, see what else might want doing in the future or what can be done whilst certain bits are off. I wouldn't want to be watching the clock worrying about being charged another hour.
It was only around £20 per hour though? So realistically you could take your time and still save on a mechanic rate? 
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