Your Bangernomics successes

Gra76

I bought an old mk5 Ford Escort as a back-up car some years ago when my wife was pregnant with our first child as the car I owned then was a bit temperamental so I needed something that would get me and the missus to the hospital incase my main car decided to play up. Fortunately it didn't, but I kept that Escort for about a year.

I paid £390 for it when I bought it and I sold it a year later for £375. It never let me down and other than the tatty interior it was in pretty good condition. It only had 50k on the clock too.

I considered it to have been the biggest bargain I've ever had.

rev_henry

bloghog wrote: »

I have not done this for years but it brought back many happy years with £1,000 cars. All lasted for 3-4 years until finally giving up the ghost:
Citroen 2CV
VW Polo
Subaru big boxy estate
Happy days

The days of 2CVs being very cheap are long gone, values have gone right up in the last 10 years or so.

bloghog

rev_henry wrote: »

The days of 2CVs being very cheap are long gone, values have gone right up in the last 10 years or so.

This was a long, long time ago 1988 I think, they were cheap then I think the floor rotted out and somebody bought it for £20 from me to turn it into a three wheeled kit car, maybe it is still going now...

rev_henry

bloghog wrote: »

This was a long, long time ago 1988 I think, they were cheap then I think the floor rotted out and somebody bought it for £20 from me to turn it into a three wheeled kit car, maybe it is still going now...

My parents had two, one around then and one around 8 years later. Oh yes, ALL of them that are still alive today have had a replacement galvanised chassis. I understand they're all made with a batch of dodgy cheapo Polish steel that had been left outside. The Portuguese built ones that is, the French ones are better apparently, but seriously ancient now. I remember my Dad saying they saw one in the Citroen showroom that was already rusting! Objectively speaking, they're dreadfully made cars but I love them!

mkirkby

rev_henry wrote: »

Oh yes, ALL of them that are still alive today have had a replacement galvanised chassis.

So exactly how much car do you have to replace before it can logically be seen as a totally different car..??

"Trigger: And that's what I've done. Maintained it for 20 years. This old brooms had 17 new heads and 14 new handles in its time.

Sid: How the hell can it be the same bloody broom then?

Trigger: Theres the picture. What more proof do you need?"

rev_henry

mkirkby wrote: »

So exactly how much car do you have to replace before it can logically be seen as a totally different car..??

"Trigger: And that's what I've done. Maintained it for 20 years. This old brooms had 17 new heads and 14 new handles in its time.

Sid: How the hell can it be the same bloody broom then?

Trigger: Theres the picture. What more proof do you need?"

Correct! Has to be pretty crap in the first place to be almost guaranteed to need a new chassis.

mattyprice4004

Well, bit of an update. One night after a few beers I found an eBay app on my phone, and the next day I was on my way to Lancaster with £500 to collect this:



It's a 75 CDTi Connoisseur SE, on a 2000 plate with 166,000 miles. Bought it as I was looking for IT jobs quite far away from my home, and looking to commute (found one, start on Monday!)

Quick specs:

- 131PS BMW M47 diesel engine
- Top spec, inc Sat Nav, TV, upgraded audio system, heated seats, electrically adjustable memory seats, dual zone climate, cruise control, rear electric sun blind... there's more but I forget :rotfl:
- MOT until December, no Tax when bought
- Work done includes all clutch parts and hydraulics, some suspension arms and all brakes 6 months ago

It all ran fine when bought, but I like to have my cars running top notch. The list to do when I brought it home was pretty short:
- Full service inc all filters and PCV filter. £50
- 1x new tyre. £60
- Exhaust blowing at backbox. £55

Having owned it a few weeks, I've added a bit to that:
- Needs full exhaust, centre section blowing. £70 + backbox
- Could do with another new tyre, one already replaced. Another £60
- Driver's seat mechanism a bit iffy, when they come up on eBay they're about £40
- In Tank fuel pump not working, meaning on low fuel it runs rough. £80

Apart from that, it's a truly fantastic car. Silent on the motorway, and doing about 45MPG.

Some more pics:







Enjoy

Rolandtheroadie

I'm a closet Rover fan, had the sd1 and the 827, natural progression suggests I'll probably have one of those one day.

Nice.

[Deleted User]

I want a Rover 75 now!

mattyprice4004

scotsman4th wrote: »

I'm a closet Rover fan, had the sd1 and the 827, natural progression suggests I'll probably have one of those one day.

Nice.

I'd give one a test drive, they're different from other Rovers I've owned - the 75 feels properly put together and is by far the best way to travel on a budget, whilst in comfort.

Deleted_User wrote: »

I want a Rover 75 now!

As above, I'd give one a drive. You'll either love it or it'll be a bit 'soft' depending on what you're used to.

If you're a massive fan of comfort and jelly-like Rolls Royce suspension, aim for a model with the smaller rims such as 15". If you're a corner enthusiast, stick to something like the 17" wheels.

This one has 17" alloys, and goes around corners like it's on rails.