Buying a car

p90fool

It's summer, get the bike. 
Plus it puts all this talk about warmed-over hatchbacks in perspective when for a couple of grand you can leave literally every car under half a million quid in your tyre smoke. 

I'll reiterate what I said about 50 pages ago, cars are just tools. That's why you haven't made up your mind yet, deep down you know they all make promises they can't keep. 

iseverynamegone

Years back I know a fella who had a Robin into which he had stuck a 3.5L rover engine.  Front seats came out and you sat in the back. The steering column was about 3foot  long.  

I had one go in it. Jesus wept ....

Octafish

ICBM said:

ROOG said:

You don't see these about any more, I wonder if they have become collectable , or did the government round them all up and shoot them dead? 

The latter. They were deemed unsafe, collected from their users some time in the early 2000s and destroyed. A tiny number apparently survive, which had been 'lost' beforehand.

Hubnut's has been restoring an Invacar and documenting it on Youtube....

Been working my way through his videos. Definitely recommend to anyone into old 'auto shite'. Loads of test drives of cars such as the Vauxhall Viva...

Emp_Fab

I was kind of joking about the bike.  It’s been a long time since I rode and an even longer time since I passed my bike test.  I suspect my lifespan would be considerably shortened if I got the GSX1400.

The last bike I rode was a mate’s TDM850 (after not having ridden for many years then).  I gave it full welly and almost shit myself.  Junctions appeared far quicker than my brain could process them.  Besides, I live in Wales...  what I really need is a road-legal submarine.

Veganic

GET THE BIKE!

ronnyb

Veganic said:

GET THE BIKE!

No bikes are dangerous, get the bus.

Veganic

GET THE BIKE!

Emp_Fab

Veganic said:

GET THE BIKE!

Nah.  I dislike hospitals intensely these days.  I’ve already got spine and ankle damage, plus surgery scars courtesy of a woman cutting across me at the lights, plus skin scalds on my leg from another incident where I came off in the dirt and the exhaust steamed the skin away under my wet jeans.  I’m 55 now and the main objective is making it to the end in one piece - and not bring the end dramatically closer.

Veganic

GET....oh ok.

ronnyb

I would love another bike. I've ridden motorcycles since aged 16 and peruse the classifieds sometimes to see what's for sale but my head says no. I know too many people who have been either killed or crippled on bikes through no fault of their own. I had a head on collision with a car when i was 18 and walked off without a scratch. At my age now i think it would be a different story.  

Emp_Fab

Today’s the day....  if I don’t come home with a car, I’m a dead man.

Deadman

Emp_Fab said:

Today’s the day....  if I don’t come home with a car, I’m a dead man.

Oi!

RaymondLin

Emp_Fab said:

Today’s the day....  if I don’t come home with a car, I’m a dead man.

Place your bets boys & gals!

Majorscale

Emp_Fab said:

Today’s the day....  if I don’t come home with a car, I’m a dead man.

RIP

Veganic

Sounds like the bike would have been safer.

monofin

You had it right in the beginning when you were deciding between i30 and v40.

Like every Long running drama the finale is bound to be a disappointment 

LordOxygen

I've had too many cars to list over the last 10 years. I'd stay away from VAG cars, doors that close with a thud and firm indicator storks do not mean the bits you don't interact with are well built. Honda make good cars mechanically but they do have electrical gremlins and they are quite expensive to repair. but they rarely go wrong so a safe bet really. 

For £4K i'd buy the best ford focus I can find, any back street garage can repair and service them, huge choice, aside the less than attractive dash, they're well built enough that are very good to drive. 

Oh yeah, buy petrol. high pressure, small diesel engines are the work of the devil. 

iseverynamegone

Emp_Fab said:

Today’s the day....  if I don’t come home with a car, I’m a dead man.

But a hearse? 1 stone ,2 birds. 

Emp_Fab

I’m outta time.  I’m probably getting this this morning...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905178044638

Or this....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905037583524

Neither are necessarily long term keepers but they’re decently priced, reliable and resellable, and I need something this weekend no matter what.

RaymondLin

Don’t get a diesel, in the current market they are getting less desirable by the day.  You will be able to sell a small petrol MUCH easier.