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

Actually I'm not sure - I'd assumed it did, but having superficially looked it may not. That probably answers that one then :)

The Mrs Baldmobile, Volvo C70, appears to be on the way to the scrapper, replacement clutch costing more than value of said ancient barge. Having got rid of No1 daughter, it would seem to be time for 2 less seats. With £5k as a limit an MX5 seems the obvious choice, but which variant? The 2.0 appeals, because biggest engine, but what is the opinion of you experts? Anything I should be wary of when buying which would cost squillions to fix?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-Mercedes-300SL-24v-AMG-Wheels-Convertible-with-Hardtop-SL300/283010703427?hash=item41e4c0a043:g:S4AAAOSwl4NbJQGX

Thank you, that would be immense fun for the 2 weeks when it actually worked, I have just got rid of a human money pit and don't need a mechanical one!

Ps: are you certain that the door handle seals are original?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z4-3-0-2003MY-Roadster/132705614947?hash=item1ee5defc63:g:aHcAAOSwBdhbTJNZ

I reckon you might get this at 5k with a cheeky offer: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-PORSCHE-BOXSTER-3-2-S-70K-FULL-PORSCHE-SERVICE-HISTORY/312216330410?hash=item48b18b20aa:g:jr8AAOSw69VbdDDw

What year /engine/ spec. Some are quite sought after, or will be in a few years.

Those are pretty much the questions I was asking the hive mind, I know nothing.....

Damn it, Dammit,stop confusing me with these hugely practical solutions, each of which appears to be geographically distant.

There are some specific C70 parts that are interesting to others if you break it - underbody chassis bracing, front sub-frame mounts, I think that's it from the performance perspective. You can probably break the interior for some dollar, but it's a question of whether you cab be bothered.

In terms of being collectable, that's possible - but would likely need a harrowing amount of money spending on it to make its condition considered to be collectable. Ask me how I know.

How do you know?

I doubt there is much left saving, after 10 years being driven by She Who Must Be Obeyed it is in the same condition as me, knackered. If the clutch allows me to limp it to the garage tomorrow I shall check if it will pass the MOT, if it does, £608 for the clutch. Otherwise, crusher here we come....

It's the P80 platform that was/is shared with the 850R, into one of which I poured a fortune.

I knew not that it was the same platform and have been hugely impressed by your no expense spared attitude to perfection. I do slightly question your obsession!

I have no fortune to squander, so MX5 it (probably) is, unless anyone can persuade me otherwise. Just which one?

I would suggest a non-rusty one

Top tip!

If your Volvo had been for sale now (Mrs Bald will no longer have a 45 mile commute as of next Friday), I might well have lied and told her I had bought a practical estate.....

You live at the top of a hill. When lightening strikes and it becomes sentient, don't say I didn't warn you. Although, if that car were to have a personality I imagine it would be similar to one of those sensitive, child geniuses they make documentaries about, with the over bearing parents.

As Dammit says, there are some bits that are useful and worth a few quid to others.

If you do scrap it and your round London way theres a volvo specific breakers (begins with a 'H'?) who might give you a fiver more than a local yard

And the money pit opens!

Thought I'd remove the tacky vinyl tailgate wrap...

Before:

1 Attachment

quick - put it back on...

After

1 Attachment

Wow. That is something. A home spray job on that couldn't make it any worse.

Haha, we'll see what removing the bonnet vinyl uncovers...I've already got a bonnet bra on the way in anticipation.

But yes, a home spray was on my mind as in theory it looks like the prep would be quite easy; mask the window, open the tailgate and stick a sheet between it and the body/tail lights/bumper.

Would it just need a primer coat first? There's no rust or other issues with the surface.

I am not a painter, but I would think coarse to fine sand, then primer, then paint.

@hoops could be kind enough to provide some advice here.

I'd hazard a guess and say colour matching is going to be nigh on impossible because it looks like the paint on the rest of the car has deteriorated, it might be worth trying to polish the whole thing after painting the tailgate, with a rotary polisher.

wrap it in carbon fibre