Bargetastic bargain, alternative SOTW
Discussion
Here I am 3 weeks away from a drive from Kent to Co.Cork and back and my bangernomics fiesta decided it didn't fancy the trip and developed about 30 problems at once, all the dash lights failed, then the intermittent stalling became a heel-toe exercise at every junction, the rear suspension developed a suspicious creak every bump, and finally to top it off the exhaust started blowing raspberries at me, taunting me with it's desire not to face the round trip.
Frankly I was dreading the 1000+ miles in a wheezy, rattly, underpowered, Friday afternoon Dagenham special, especially without AC and facing the M4 at Bristol on Sat July 31st.
I've saved all year and just about had the budget for the holiday with little leeway, the first time I've been able to take my son abroad since 2004, buying a car wasn't factored in; I've spent the last week trawling the classifieds, feeling the departure date creeping, then rushing, closer,
Budget: Sub £500
Desired Car: Big enough to put 2 bikes inside rather than strap them to the boot
I'd given up hope, the choice for £500 seemed to be entirely made up of Nissan Micras (I'd rather hitch) and a plethora of SORN, No MOT, No Tax money-pits.
I was looking at £750+ for something vaguely suitable, and 750 was definitely past my means, until I logged in this morning and found This
It's a little rusty and has been to the moon and back, but it's been serviced at MB every 12 months on the button, the interior is clean and unworn, the electrics all work and the AC is cold, It pulls well with no unusual noises from the autobox, oil was clear and all fluids tip top with no signs of leakage and the v-belt twisted a half turn on finger pressure with all tensioners looking well lubricated.
MOT until march taxed until september.
The seller was great, understood my predicament re: budget and accepted my opening bid of £400 right there and then, cup of tea whilst sorting paperwork, receipt in hand and it was mine, a ridiculous amount of car for £400.
Cruise control at 70 on the motorway home, waft mode engaged, smile.
Happy camper.
Riggers you can take your SOTW but i'll raise you this with £600 to spare
Frankly I was dreading the 1000+ miles in a wheezy, rattly, underpowered, Friday afternoon Dagenham special, especially without AC and facing the M4 at Bristol on Sat July 31st.
I've saved all year and just about had the budget for the holiday with little leeway, the first time I've been able to take my son abroad since 2004, buying a car wasn't factored in; I've spent the last week trawling the classifieds, feeling the departure date creeping, then rushing, closer,
Budget: Sub £500
Desired Car: Big enough to put 2 bikes inside rather than strap them to the boot
I'd given up hope, the choice for £500 seemed to be entirely made up of Nissan Micras (I'd rather hitch) and a plethora of SORN, No MOT, No Tax money-pits.
I was looking at £750+ for something vaguely suitable, and 750 was definitely past my means, until I logged in this morning and found This
It's a little rusty and has been to the moon and back, but it's been serviced at MB every 12 months on the button, the interior is clean and unworn, the electrics all work and the AC is cold, It pulls well with no unusual noises from the autobox, oil was clear and all fluids tip top with no signs of leakage and the v-belt twisted a half turn on finger pressure with all tensioners looking well lubricated.
MOT until march taxed until september.
The seller was great, understood my predicament re: budget and accepted my opening bid of £400 right there and then, cup of tea whilst sorting paperwork, receipt in hand and it was mine, a ridiculous amount of car for £400.
Cruise control at 70 on the motorway home, waft mode engaged, smile.
Happy camper.
Riggers you can take your SOTW but i'll raise you this with £600 to spare
Edited by jayfish on Monday 5th July 23:23
@Garlick if it's still going at the end of the year we'll see
@ Hornetrider I've owned FIATs this age and not a sign of rust, you're right it's shocking for a marque like Merc, but never mind it's not important on a shed
@escrobin thx
@RB26DETT Courtmacsherry if you know it, Near Clonakilty if you don't My dad was born there and I used to spend most summers there, now it's time for my son to visit
@ Hornetrider I've owned FIATs this age and not a sign of rust, you're right it's shocking for a marque like Merc, but never mind it's not important on a shed
@escrobin thx
@RB26DETT Courtmacsherry if you know it, Near Clonakilty if you don't
My dad was born there and I used to spend most summers there, now it's time for my son to visit Edited by jayfish on Monday 5th July 23:55
Good old Clonakilty, remeber a holiday there once revisiting the family tree. went to the bike hire shop got a weeks hire of the bikes (brand new cannondales if i remember he even had to take the wrapping off it was that new) didnt want a deposit returned them after 7 days and didnt want payment he was more interested in telling us about his dog that tries eating passing cars tyres lol now thats a deal 
ecsrobin said:
Good old Clonakilty, remeber a holiday there once revisiting the family tree. went to the bike hire shop got a weeks hire of the bikes (brand new cannondales if i remember he even had to take the wrapping off it was that new) didnt want a deposit returned them after 7 days and didnt want payment he was more interested in telling us about his dog that tries eating passing cars tyres lol now thats a deal
At 16 i cycled to Clonakilty, got a puncture on the way, two locals took my bike to be fixed whilst another bought me a beer Wouldn't happen here, I'd have been mugged raped and left in a ditch :PGassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff