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Post by howard on Mar 15, 2011 19:14:09 GMT
I am having serious car problems at the moment! My Saab 9000 died last week (fuel pump packed in - not a great problem), but was replaced and when the engine was started the big ends seem to be making more noise than I would like Add to that, the fuel pump has packed in again - so maybe it wasn't actually all to do with the pump! So I have been driving my 1983 Saab 900, which is always keen to start and support, but the power steering pump has failed - she's still driveable, with random amounts of assistance. And often, none at all. My arms are absolutely in agony after driving her like this for the next two days. So, I've opted to look at something more modern, albeit more horrid. My friend's mum works in a nursing home, so gets to hear about cars that are "no longer required" and I've been offered a W reg Corsa 1.2 16v 5-door auto for £1000 - and it's done 14,000 miles from new. Oh the shame! But it's in startling condition - no motorway action means no chips on the front end. So, will I buy it? The sensible part of me says I should. It's a sweet wee car in nice condition - and good on fuel of course compared with the Saabs. Cheap tax and insurance too! We'll see! I'm hoping that desperation and the lack of feeling in my arms doesn't sway me.....
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Post by veeruk on Mar 15, 2011 19:36:38 GMT
My opinion is "do it". I need a reliable every day runner on which I can rely. I guess that everyone with a job is in the same boat. And for that price... ;D
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Post by howard on Mar 15, 2011 19:44:39 GMT
Yes, indeed. I'd hate to think that some people might believe I can make sane and sensible decisions though.
A car like that in that condition with that mileage would last me decades to be fair. And if you look at it as simply a means of getting about (like a bicycle or pair of legs) I think I could cope!
If I hate it I'm sure I could get my money back, besides.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 15, 2011 20:24:28 GMT
It's a sensible decision Howard and will take the strain off the rest of the fleet. It has the added bonus that next time (and we've all done it) you say "Aaaarhh! Enough! I'm going to jack in classics and get a modern! " then you'll already have one. Then you'll know that it's souless and lacks character, BUT it will be reliable and fuel efficient. Plus it'll get you to the garage to your waiting fleet of classics. Plus, when the Sonnet is on the road then the modern will only be a back-up measure in any case!
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stefan
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Post by stefan on Mar 15, 2011 21:46:22 GMT
We run a modern in the household and I have a modern van for work, Have run classics everyday but would not want to do it now.
Just get the car, you can run classics every day if you like and then have a modern back up.
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Post by Patrick on Mar 15, 2011 23:06:35 GMT
I expect it'll still need 'running in' with that mileage? A couple of "Low Mileage Ex Little Old Person" cars we've had/I've known about, invariably needed engine work after being driven "normally" for a while. A thirteen year old 24,000 mile Allegro developed glazed cylinders after a year or so, and a ten year old Skoda Favorit quickly chomped it's way through a head gasket (though they can be known for that I've heard) at just 30,000m, having been lovingly dawdled along for the most of it's existence.
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Post by Nick the man with a daf.... on Mar 15, 2011 23:15:17 GMT
1.2 will be the 4 pot motor probably so a good little car !!
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paddydaf
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Post by paddydaf on Mar 15, 2011 23:31:11 GMT
At least Howard, it's not a chelsea tractor with an Irish road fund license of 1297 euro!! Any one got a nice Volvo 340 etc for sale!! Over next few months will do!! Go for it but remember any mechanical thing can bugger up without warning... ::)donal
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Post by veeruk on Mar 16, 2011 10:03:45 GMT
If you don't buy it then let me know. I might have it as they wrote off our very economical 106 diesel. Donal? Did you say you wanted a 340?
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Post by howard on Mar 16, 2011 16:50:22 GMT
I bought it. Thanks for your help and advice folks. I really do not think I will regret this in all honesty.
I'm a dawdler anyhow (or at least not a "ragger") so it will have an easy life. I was sold on the fact that if I keep it tidy for say 10 years (bearing in mind I don't do many miles at all) it will have only cost about £100 a year, and that can't be bad really.
Plus the amount of fuel I will save when visiting my chums abroad will be noticeable, that's for sure!
It's not the fact that it's a Corsa that pleases me, but the fact it is absolutely like new and you can tell that it has been looked after - no play or wear in anything whatsoever.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 16, 2011 21:30:13 GMT
Well done Howard. I'm sure she will give sterling service. Much as I'm not overly fond of moderns, they do serve a purpose, and the Corsa's purpose will be the most noble of them all, taking the strain of your running fleet and freeing up time to get stuck into jobs which otherwise may have prompted worries of the 'Hmm, if I don't finish this job I can't get home' ilk. Enjoy all the positive aspects that a modern brings but save the big grins for the classics. In any case, I'm sure once the Sonnet is on the road then the Corsa won't get too much of a look in!
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Post by howard on Mar 19, 2011 23:49:31 GMT
I have bought well, it appears. GOOD NEWS - it has a timing chain, not belt. Phew.
It smells new, too. To give you some idea of the calibre of the previous owner, it has a road atlas in the boot in its own polythene bag. Along with tartan rug, umbrella etc. Shock horror though - the spare wheel has been USED! Imagine my disgust....
I like it - but I doubt it's a car I can get emotionally attached to. Yet! Although it does shine like a wee jewel in a splendid dent-free way. It doesn't rattle or creak, it's fairly sprightly, and has a nice quality stereo in it (original Blaupunkt). It does seem to have the tiniest blow from the exhaust, but thankfully bits are available and very cheap (compared with Saabs, anyway!).
I also feel very anonymous driving it, which is good in a way. I somehow doubt I will feel that way when the Sonett nudges its way outside for its MOT.....
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Post by howard on Mar 23, 2011 18:06:11 GMT
MOT today on "Tizz". Rubbish west country joke that - many apologies....
Surprise surprise, she went through without any advisories whatsoever. Boring.
And no doubt it will start first thing in the morning too. Rubbish! What have I done??!!!
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 24, 2011 8:29:08 GMT
In the greater scheme of things you did the right thing Howard, and something I was considering last night whilst t-cutting my replacement bonnet...
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Post by howard on Mar 24, 2011 10:41:00 GMT
Well, I did drive in in t'Corsa today, and apart from the not-quite-as-good-as-a-Saab driving experience (as to be expected, one supposes) it was quite enjoyable really. Totally anonymous of course, but it did all I asked. And that's why I bought it after all.
Nice to be able to use my arms now that steering takes so little effort. I do love small automatics too! Will let you know what MPG I actually achieve too. That could prove interesting.
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pauldaf44
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Post by pauldaf44 on Mar 24, 2011 19:51:03 GMT
This sounds strange coming from me who only owns classics. But having a modern car to fall back on is a big relief im just glad ive got the daily dustbin (seat ibiza) to use which is mums when mine are inevitably broken
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Post by howard on Mar 25, 2011 1:17:02 GMT
I'm glad I'll not be disowned for it then!!!!
In the nicest possible way, I'd rather not have it at all - but it will mean that I can spend more time fixing stuff (and making Lego!!!).
Oh dear....
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Post by howard on Mar 27, 2011 19:07:39 GMT
Now cleaned up a little. Doing so has made me realise three of her tyres are the originals. Gulp. Soon be changing those then!
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Post by Patrick on Mar 27, 2011 22:05:50 GMT
Pretty. How does it "feel" inside? The original Nova and Mark II Cavaliers always felt really solid, I was surprised then how flimsy the MkIII Cav felt (although the body style could have been introduced earlier really). Funny we didn't get the saloon version of that Corsa here - always thought there was a demand for that style in the UK too - but I think only Spain and Australia got them.
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Post by howard on Mar 27, 2011 22:32:53 GMT
It feels like a new car, Patrick. I know that we all know and love the sounds of big relays and switches that leave you in no doubt as to whether they are on or off but everything has had such little wear that it is all so effortless and with the gentlest of clicks. No fighting, nor floppiness in any of the controls. No creaks, no whines, no bangs. No fun at all!
I don't like it because it is a Corsa of course - would I have bought one with 100,000 on the clock? No, in a word. But I would have bought it even if it were a beige 1.0 if it was in that sort of condition. To me, it's like a pair of wellington boots. Not fashionable, yet perfect for the job I need it for!
Never seen a Corsa B saloon either - I'm off to Google images to take a look!!!
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Post by Patrick on Mar 27, 2011 22:42:44 GMT
Rather like in 1985 we would never have really contemplated an Allegro - but my brother had the offer of a 1973 model with full width sunroof, Square steering wheel and only 23,000 miles. That changed our opinion of the car right around, lovely little thing it was. Comfy, more peppy certainly than the 1.3 Cortina we'd had before (understandably really!). It had outlived two little old ladies.
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 27, 2011 22:51:59 GMT
Worth checking Turkey for saloon bodies. Last time I was there Mrs G had bought herself a new Clio and imagine our surprise to see so many saloon bodied Clios over there; they were so popular that the hatchback was rather rare!
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Post by howard on Mar 27, 2011 22:58:14 GMT
I've just put my Allegro on eBay. I bought it in 1995 with 18,000 on the clock and it was a perfectly capable little car. I took it to 38,000 before selling it - and ended up getting it back, although it needs some work now. I have too many other things on my plate now so it must go (along with a Rover P4 and Saab 99 that will be on eBay over the next few days).
I also had great fun with the Allegro Club International and I am sure that I had the last laugh....
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Post by howard on Mar 27, 2011 22:58:39 GMT
Wow, they did Corsa estates, too!!!!!!
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stefan
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Post by stefan on Mar 27, 2011 23:29:32 GMT
Brazil also got a pickup in that body style
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Post by Patrick on Mar 27, 2011 23:36:38 GMT
That makes two big mistakes by GM/Vauxhall back then. The other being not continuing an estate of the Cavalier with the last model. I would guess that a Corsa Estate - or even a Nova estate would have done pretty well in the UK.
Spain always liked saloons - they had the Renault "7" (5 with a boot) and I'm sure they had one or two others that were only hatchbacks elsewhere.
Another missed opportunity IMO (stop me if I'm boring on). Was the Austin Apache. I reckon - seeing as it was still at the top of the charts in '73 that if BL had Apache-fied the front end of the Austin/Morris 1100 for 1973, say until 1975, it would have remained a strong enough seller and allowed them to sort the Allegros teething problems out.
.........and of course, to keep this post in line with "The Board" - The Apache/Victoria was restyled by Mr Michelotti of course! ;D Shutting up now, sorry.
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 28, 2011 20:22:25 GMT
The problem with releasing an apache lookalike over here, Patrick, would have been that it was very similar in looks to the Triumph big saloons.
Internal BL politics didn't seem to like the Triumph badge very much - they made them follow the Dolly Sprint (could / should have been a defining moment for BL on the world stage) with the re-badged Honda Acclaimord!
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33grinder
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Post by 33grinder on Mar 28, 2011 20:35:10 GMT
I think we all knew at the time that the Triumph/Honda Accordian was the start of the end for Triumph - shame. Having said that I believe they have a bit of a cult following just like our DAFs do, so who are we to judge?
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Post by howard on Mar 28, 2011 20:54:54 GMT
Taking the badge off an Acclaim for a moment - they were pretty good cars I recall. I never owned one, but nearly did - but my friend had a gold one (a CD) which had ELECTRIC WINDOWS amongst other goodies. Wow. There's a chappie around the corner from me that has a handful of them in his garden, and yes, I enjoy seeing them so I don't have a problem with them or their fans! GULP - Allegro and a Saab 99 are now on eBay. What next to go? Mayflower? 900S? Trafic? Still have an awful feeling I will cull a few DAFs but needs must.
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spunkymonkey
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Post by spunkymonkey on Mar 28, 2011 21:31:09 GMT
I've never had a problem with the Acclaim as a car, it was (as Pete says) the clear "end of badge" message that upset me, and many others. Of all the badges that BL had available, Triumph was the one that had the potential to take on the likes of BMW and Audi as up-market sporty stuff. But BL tried to keep the split between sporty (MG) and upmarket (Rover) and failed dismally on both counts.
Still, what's done is done - interesting to note, though, that BMW retained the rights to the Triumph badge when they offloaded Rover Group. Maybe their marketing guys could see the potential for (unwanted) competition that BL couldn't?
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