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

I'm thinking optimistic speedo...

I think so - I’ll check

I was sitting on the motorway not realising how fast I was going, apparently I was sitting at 110-130.

kph though, Polish speedo?

Yeah I’m gonna keep it a lot slower on the way back, we’re gonna try to avoid to autobahn.

Nope, GPS confirmed it.

Wow, didn't get much more with a modded (well as much as I could engine) and larger diameter wheels. I went to Lancia y10/panda 4x4 steel 13 inch wheels and 135/80r13 tyres.

On the left is the old Nokia/Haes amp, which is not great. On the right is the new JL amp, which I'll replace the Nokia with. To do this requires connecting to the OEM wiring, and rather than cut it I'd rather do so in a way that is reversible.

I need to connect to this plug:

Googling the numbers stamped into the plug lead to these (available in multiples of 10, which turned out to be handy):

The back of a fork (I was waiting for a sandwich) showed that what I had planned might work:

Post-sandwich:

However:

After fitting one last cable:

Ha... Took it out for a spin today, felt really good... 2 litre engine, probably too much poke for me...

Need to get a roadworthy certificate before my mate can hand it over, that's happening in the morning so should have everything sorted really fast... Tyres are fine, idled a bit on the low side but I couldn't detect a problem, found a replacement light cluster for $20, should be able to fit that myself...

Most importantly, bought my P plates this morning... Ready to go!!

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Congrats! Just don't get caught pushing the car down the street...

Time to start watching MCM episodes back-to-back.

My mate was pooing his pants when I first got in the car, forgot to release the handbrake and then lunged into reverse a little faster than we all expected... Settled down after that tho', no dramas, we had a nice little drive...

New car, swapped in the RAV4 for a Berlingo multispace. Much pockets, many storage. Even has a trolley. Neil Jnr cried when the old car went but is very happy with the fold down tray he now has.

Seems to be leaking a bit of oil from dump plug though. And the heater stinks.

Copper washer needs replacing at the next oil change.

Does the heater have a pollen filter?

I think it's cross threaded, I can tighten it with my fingers.

Haha, mate, I did a similar thing after 20+ years of driving yesterday... Was so excited to get in the surf I forgot the car was running, in gear with my foot on the clutch.... Stepped out and nearly smashed into a wall. Luckily car stalled an inch away.

This thing is quite cool: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-t25-syncro-T3-transporter-4x4/123520639251?hash=item1cc2676113:g:9nsAAOSw0d1cAkHn:rk:2:pf:0

Yep

I suspect it'd cost £50 every time you wanted to drive out of London, due to the various charges for its elderly diesel.

Total Queensland mobile, love it...

Car safety check came back great, it passed but was told to replace the offside rear light and the rear brake pads... Result!

Perfect! Free car winning.

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Oh man, it's been such a headache... Other half and in-laws (what a tag team they are) constantly sniping about it being a shit car, no such thing as a free lunch, not worth fixing up, buy a new one, etc... Feels good to, in the nicest way possible, tell them all to fuck off because we've got an almost absolutely free car that's under ten years old and runs like a peach!

I know I'm old but I hate old people... My parents are the same... "Mum, I've won five million quid in the lottery!"
"Careful, Joe, might be a mistake..."

I know that feeling. My wife calls the Forester the "Shitabaru", after the work I put into it when I bought it, the HG failure, the subsequent massive oil usage and engine failure, the rebuild, the turbo failure and replacement....... I should agree but I have never loved a car more!