Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Not a bad point. You've spent 4k on it since you last tried to sell it.
I traded the Porsche in for £7500 in the end (I wanted £10k) because it meant I could have the Aston. Fuck it, you can always earn more money.

^ this

if it's done its time for you, shift it and move on.

If you have a length of wood you can always saw more off, sawing length back on again is non-trivial.

There is potential to negotiate further, if two parties want to come to an agreement there is always room for more discussion.

Right now, the onus is on t'other chap to respond, I'm not going to a) send him an out of sequence message without good reason and b) dropping my metaphorical trousers is not a good reason as c) it reeks of desperation.

There will, ultimately, be another car that i want to buy, but with that said yes - I do want to move on.

@BQ - didn't you say you were getting an out-of-spec reading from both cam sensors? If so, you (potentially) did extremely well to get that much for the car. One reason for both cam sensors to be giving errors is that the IMS bearing (which supports the intermediate main shaft which links the cams together) is more swarf than support, and is about to perform a creditable grenade impersonation.

I agree, life is too short

It was the oxygen sensors. Both banks would always bring up the same code. Which was kind of the proof that it was not a real issue.
Definitely a software fault, and I believe Porsche had a patch. I just cleared the code with my iPhone and cheap ODB dongle each time.

Ah, fair enough. I miss-remembered, seem to have sensors on the brain at the moment, something that will hopefully change soon.

Anyway, Paris tomorrow so I’ll wait until Saturday before any potential pro-active de-bagging.

seem to have sensors on the brain at the moment,

Same here. The SuperFastWankerBarge is still complaining its oil level sensor isn't working. Time to go back to Mr Audi.

I know it's hardly car appreciation, but if anyone knows of a Ford Focus (or similar) for sale in the sub 1k price bracket around North London then let me know.

edit: I can't read properly

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201711081063750?quantity-of-doors=5&postcode=n167tj&onesearchad=Used&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=1000&sort=price-desc&radius=5&body-type=Hatchback&page=1

might need a cambelt doing in 10,000 miles but service history and 12 months MOT are good for 1k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201802123663474?quantity-of-doors=5&postcode=n167tj&onesearchad=Used&advertising-location=at_cars&price-to=1000&sort=price-desc&radius=5&body-type=Hatchback&page=1

Auto £999 Focus in Palmers Green with only 80k miles. Might want to ask about service history and check MOT history

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201802113622325?onesearchad=Used&radius=5&body-type=Hatchback&advertising-location=at_cars&quantity-of-doors=5&sort=price-desc&price-to=1000&postcode=n167tj&page=1

Say you'll pay the cost of the MOT if it passes first time, but you're not interested unless it has a new MOT on it.

2004 Ignis with 80k miles

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201802133674559?radius=5&postcode=n167tj&body-type=Hatchback&quantity-of-doors=5&sort=price-desc&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&price-to=1000&page=2

this will never die

In that price range for no frills reliable, cheap motoring, I'd probs be looking at a K11 Micra

I thought so too, but mine is falling apart. Cv joints, coolant reservoir, servopump and electrics are all failing.

I'd love a k11 micra. There's something with that shape and interior that speaks to me. See also Toyota Corolla E90

Damn, that's not common

K11 Micra with cut springs on 13s. Boom, that's what 17 year old scene kids should be driving.

Wheels are worth twice the car.

That will be eleventeebillion pounds please sir.

Micras are excellent engine and gearbox donors for classic Minis. Don't be driving the price up now.

Phew, that's a relief. I thought it might be expensive.

Had a note from the painter, he’s going to do the door handles and mirrors etc which he wasn’t originally intending on as the finish on the body of the car now makes them look a bit sad. This is a positive I feel.

He’s also asking for a second payment, which again sounds fair, I’ve asked him what final figure he thinks we’ll end up on (original quote was 3-3.5k)

Is this a game? Will there be prizes for closest guess?

Im going with £4,766.

plus VAT.