Help please - my shed is starting to impinge on my real car!
Discussion
I have a 1.2 Corsa as a "shed" - it's my daily hack and I don't really care much for it. Yet it still appeals to me quite a lot, as even though I mistreat it (i.e. rag it cold) it starts instantly time after time. And it feels like it's just there to do my bidding - whereas my weekend car, an Impreza, is like a Kensington girl. Super high maintenance. It's rather annoying when I jsut want to drive to the shops and realise I've got to warm the engine up before I shut it off, and when it's warmed up I then have to cool the turbo before shutting off.
Problem is, I'm not going to be driving the Impreza for at least 3 weeks. It's fine moored up where it is (may need a jump but nothing major) but I'm beginning to wonder whether it's worth having that much money tied up in something which is static most of the time when I could be using the cash for something else.
So I ask you, PH, please help me stop falling in love with a shed. Anything I can do to re-fall in love with the Impreza? I'm thinking about a track day but I don't know if I want to spend that much in case it's a lost cause. Ergh, I don't like this sort of thinking. Me want speed.
Problem is, I'm not going to be driving the Impreza for at least 3 weeks. It's fine moored up where it is (may need a jump but nothing major) but I'm beginning to wonder whether it's worth having that much money tied up in something which is static most of the time when I could be using the cash for something else.
So I ask you, PH, please help me stop falling in love with a shed. Anything I can do to re-fall in love with the Impreza? I'm thinking about a track day but I don't know if I want to spend that much in case it's a lost cause. Ergh, I don't like this sort of thinking. Me want speed.
sebhaque said:
I have a 1.2 Corsa as a "shed" - it's my daily hack and I don't really care much for it. Yet it still appeals to me quite a lot, as even though I mistreat it (i.e. rag it cold) it starts instantly time after time. And it feels like it's just there to do my bidding - whereas my weekend car, an Impreza, is like a Kensington girl. Super high maintenance. It's rather annoying when I jsut want to drive to the shops and realise I've got to warm the engine up before I shut it off, and when it's warmed up I then have to cool the turbo before shutting off.
Problem is, I'm not going to be driving the Impreza for at least 3 weeks. It's fine moored up where it is (may need a jump but nothing major) but I'm beginning to wonder whether it's worth having that much money tied up in something which is static most of the time when I could be using the cash for something else.
So I ask you, PH, please help me stop falling in love with a shed. Anything I can do to re-fall in love with the Impreza? I'm thinking about a track day but I don't know if I want to spend that much in case it's a lost cause. Ergh, I don't like this sort of thinking. Me want speed.
Erm, first thing is you need a battery conditioner if you're not driving the Impreza much.Problem is, I'm not going to be driving the Impreza for at least 3 weeks. It's fine moored up where it is (may need a jump but nothing major) but I'm beginning to wonder whether it's worth having that much money tied up in something which is static most of the time when I could be using the cash for something else.
So I ask you, PH, please help me stop falling in love with a shed. Anything I can do to re-fall in love with the Impreza? I'm thinking about a track day but I don't know if I want to spend that much in case it's a lost cause. Ergh, I don't like this sort of thinking. Me want speed.
However, you're a wuss, alternate the two.
You can take an Impreza shopping, I do and unless that shopping involves miles of NSL, you don't have to warm it up and cool it down, 'cos you won't be using the turbo.
It is probably a good idea to change the engine oil every 3K miles under such conditions but that's all.
Just go and do a trackday and stop moaning.
WhoseGeneration said:
Erm, first thing is you need a battery conditioner if you're not driving the Impreza much.
However, you're a wuss, alternate the two.
You can take an Impreza shopping, I do and unless that shopping involves miles of NSL, you don't have to warm it up and cool it down, 'cos you won't be using the turbo.
It is probably a good idea to change the engine oil every 3K miles under such conditions but that's all.
Just go and do a trackday and stop moaning.
I change the oil every 4500 miles anyway, hopefully that should keep it happy.However, you're a wuss, alternate the two.
You can take an Impreza shopping, I do and unless that shopping involves miles of NSL, you don't have to warm it up and cool it down, 'cos you won't be using the turbo.
It is probably a good idea to change the engine oil every 3K miles under such conditions but that's all.
Just go and do a trackday and stop moaning.
That's all the motivation I needed though. Maybe I'll catch some of you on the next track day I go to.
OH - and I guess my misses was right when she sent me this: linky.
It's an imprezza. Surely it's designed to be used to go to the shops etc..
Agree that a battery conditioner is a good idea if a car isnt to be used for a few weeks, but apart from that just use the car. Dont thrash it cold, dont thrash it toward the end of your journey.
Apart from that it really shouldnt be that precious.
Ben Hughes said:
Swap the Impreza for something else? I'm a bit of a magpie in that I like shiny new (to me) things, even if they are worse than what I had previously - especially with guitars it seems.
Had to post a minute before me didn't ya buddy? Eh, guess I'll go stretch the Scoob's legs and see how that makes me feel. I have a hankering after a Caterham now thanks to George, and I have a few other choices should I need to get a new car.Edited by Ben Hughes on Thursday 5th August 22:53
As for guitars - you in the market for an Epiphone Explorer? Thinking of selling mine, it's a gothic edition.
sebhaque said:
As for guitars - you in the market for an Epiphone Explorer? Thinking of selling mine, it's a gothic edition.
'Fraid not chap - all my money is going towards getting my own shed at the moment.How much would you say the Scoob is worth?
ETA - Just to add, the two statements above are entirely unrelated; not suggesting that I buy your Impreza as a university shed
Edited by Ben Hughes on Thursday 5th August 23:03
Biker's Nemesis said:
You do realise that every previous owner will have booted the crap out of your car from cold don't you.
Will that help?
The Corsa? Not fussed. I got my Impreza from the dealer principal of the local Scoob dealer, it was actually his car! Happy days, threw in some warranty too.Will that help?
And Ben - I reckon the Impreza's worth about £9000-£10000. It's been taken care of and it's under warranty so it should sell for more than the market average.
Anyway I best head to bed, some fantastically boring duties at work tomorrow. Pick this up tomorrow - cheers for your input chaps. Have a virtual beer on me.
sebhaque said:
I'm beginning to wonder whether it's worth having that much money tied up in something which is static most of the time when I could be using the cash for something else.
I've always wondered about this 'snotter' mentality with 'a toy' for the weekend where the toy is worth 500%+ the value of the daily driver. Like you say, to have the second most expensive thing you own (first if you rent) for infrequent use seems a bit silly to me. I would (and have) got a great daily driver, which I liked driving every day, and then if funds allow get a more focused weekend toy. Running about it something s
t because once a fortnight you get to drive something great doesn't seem THAT petrolhead to me! Ozzie Osmond said:
Dick_Phallus said:
Like you say, to have the second most expensive thing you own (first if you rent) for infrequent use seems a bit silly to me.
+1 Lose the Corsa; use the Impreza.unless your oil is abnormally hot there is no need to let the car cool down. its only to stop boiling oil sitting on your turbo oil seals! i really do laugh my ass off when the turbo boys sit there running their engines like that, it really is much much better to just drive the last 2-3 miles with no boost, then you can switch it straight off. simples 
Sell the Impreza. 
Buy something you'll actually love.
They are great cars, I know, but are far too practical to be a toy. You should either be driving it every day as your only car or someone else should be. Get a toy. Something like a Caterham. Then you'll appreciate the difference between it and your practical car...
Buy something you'll actually love.
They are great cars, I know, but are far too practical to be a toy. You should either be driving it every day as your only car or someone else should be. Get a toy. Something like a Caterham. Then you'll appreciate the difference between it and your practical car...
TITWONK said:
i really do laugh my ass off when the turbo boys sit there running their engines like that, it really is much much better to just drive the last 2-3 miles with no boost, then you can switch it straight off. simples
Absolutely right.On the other hand the "Impreza boys" do love to arrive at their destination with everything whooshing, popping and banging.....
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