craigowl

Rest assured "godskitchen", for this small sum you will have acquired a top quality component designed and manufactured by Teutonic geniuses and craftsman. (Perhaps they should stick to binoculars, beer and sausages.)

Mine cost about £51 from stealers in March. I bought 2 then managed to engineer a repair on the busted one, by fixing a splint to the broken leg with Plastic Metal. The pathetic little lights dont work, though - not needed anyway. Part no. 535941531F 01C

Referring to the CDs in the changer now, my own compilation in the Corrado is:- Eagles, Mary J Blige, Brownstone, Alison Kraus and Union Station, Love (Forever Changes) - Duplicate CD - always in car. Still got original vinyl, too, plus hundreds of others 60s-80s. Frank Sinatra, The Band, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan Rickie Lee Jones, Joni Mitchell, Quincy Jones, Pat Metheny, Donald Fagen, Van Morrison, Barry White, Prince, Spandau Ballet, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Chuck Berry, Otis Redding, Who, Stones, Tina Turner, Underworld, Moloko, Gladys Knight and Chaka Khan. Last 5 CD purchases were Cream Classics, Elgar - Sacred Choral Music, Ray Charles (Duets), George Michael (Patience) and Jill Scott (Beautifully Human). Not bad for a narrow-minded old git and pensioner, I reckon! The first 3 "albums" I bought (in 1964) were Rolling Stones No 1, Rachmaninov PIano Conc No2 and "Moanin'" by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Still can't get enough music. Keep on rockin' guys and try not to knock others taste - you may see reason and grow to like what you first hate!!

Useful and detailed report tonytiger. Will be of interest to several others, too, I expect. Without a doubt you are telling us things we are in denial of. Will have to expect some of these problems and expenses - or more! - in the next couple of years, assuming I keep the C that long. Not exactly the best car for a semi-retired person on a civil service pension! But hey, who needs sensible thinking, when it comes to a car like this! (The pig let me down yesterday. I had been looking forward to going on a 130 mile round trip to Dundee in the C to pick up my mother. Found battery was flat. Should have known it. Hadnt been used for 3 weeks. I KNOW it only keeps its charge for a fortnight max at this time of year but blind faith made me think it would burst into life OK. Had to go in Pug 205 diesel - no probs - very trusty workhorse.) Will removing boot lightbulb really help as some of you guys say?

esure was good for us, too. £231 for limited (2500) mileage 7 years ncd (off another car!). Fully comp. Value is however only "market value". I expect that is crap. Will I be able to get agreed value for a bit more?

I like cans. Sorry, should that be Kahns or something. Anyway, I have always thought they looked great on the cars Ive seen in magazines.

Do you smell feesh?

Everyone's nightmare. I am 59 and have seen a lot of life. This is too grim when its a posession you cherish. All I can say is do your best to be philosophical about it.

Vibratechnics front mount plus fitting about £170 incl VAT (I had this done - component from TSR. Local garage fitted for £15 plus VAT. )

I just cleaned mine up by cutting the copper earth wire back to a clean bit and soldered it to the metal filler pipe (outside). Very fiddly - I'm not sure if its a good join but I had forgotten about it until you mentioned it Tekara, and I havnt blown up at a filling station yet!

My son paid £5k for L reg VR6 beautiful Bramble colour, similar mileage 3 years ago after AA engineer's inspection. Great car for money for 2 and a half years then became money pit and he ended up getting only £2k for it in trade in for demo Lupo GTI due to serious engine wear. In my 15 years experience of buying used cars, ultimately there is always a degree of pot luck unless you can get some expert to dismantle a whole car then reassemble! Price seems reasonable as a start to haggle on. In addition to previous advice, check oil filler cap for water/mayo and coolant for oily globules/bubbling. Also check that air filter element is not oily.

Any advantage in resetting ECU from time to time (annually?) when car seems to be running OK, or do you just do it when you suspect a problem?

Ditch the mudflaps?! Lockerbie is cowpat country! Better not put my car on display - it must be so boring - 4X4 stance, mudflaps, cushion on driver's seat, nodding doggy.....

Attached is picture of our Cavalier GL in late-March 1979. '79 was one of the coldest years on record. I had only just managed to get the car home from work in Edinburgh in the final and worst blizzard of that winter. Strangely, there was no paranoia about global warming as recently as that. Impending ice ages were still in vogue. Young Douglas - the boy from next door and on the left, now has 3 children, has had 2 partners and travels 30,000 miles per annum in an oriental monstrosity called a Sansui Shotgun Worrier, or something. Subtle it aint!!

vr6storm said Yes, sure - I know about Jim Curley's from here - I have not needed to go yet but he would be my first port of call for serious work. We should thank our lucky Stars he is near us! Am bearing in mind meeting in Fife - will try and come. No RR, though, thanks. Regards Iain

PS - The "D" registration is for year 1966 approx - "the year England.." Shut up FFS Motty!!

One or two Fiats were not bad years ago. The Fiat 850 Coupe in the picture was a second hand buy by my best man in about 1971. The engine was in the back I think, and the car was a lot of fun. Typically for the era, rust appeared to have been welcomed and encouraged by most motor manufacturers, so I dont know if many have survived until today. The owner of the car in the photo went on to become a principle teacher of Physics despite enjoying helping to "take the pish" out of our own teachers in secondary school.

Dont suppose he will relocate up here by any chance? Tell him Perthshire has the best quality of life in the UK according to national surveys.

tomB said Yes - I have had one from new for 13 years. It has only 70k on the clock, though. The 1.8 engine seems rock solid and is well proven. The car gallops along in 5th gear on motorways sailing past many of this year's models - we love it. Lots of cheap parts available from GSand F. Our H reg seems a good vintage. We would not sell it because to us it is worth at least £2k. Our local garage owner (formula-Ford racer and Ferrari owner) often comments on what a good design this car and its engine are. Makes me blush as I always do a good bit of research before buying a car and reckon I opted for a good un all those years ago. Took delivery of it on the day the first gulf war started. Please dont blame me if you get a dog or a lemon, though - I am only trying to offer good advice! Best of luck.

They can leak - my lad's did. (L reg VR6)

My lad found that Michelin Pilots were really quiet - though, expensive.

Attention dr mat. Do you get the surge? (or is it just the way you are standing?)

Robbo149 said I think I know the plunger thingy you are referring too. How do you check for and stop the sticking Robbo149?

Thanks guys. kangarooboy said Mine doesnt do anything odd apart from indicating a rev surge between gears going up. Now I know why you are called kangarooboy, Matt.

Good choice Adam. Where do you live? Did you have to travel far to reach the seller in Eastern Scotland? Some of us (I for one) would be interested in your story of the logistics of arranging to view and purchase a car a long way from home. Best regards Iain