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

Really common theft on jazzs. There are quite a few for sale with a cat stolen.

Look at the damage done to see how much exhaust you need to replace.

The cats are worth alot more than £20, the only devaluing factor is know someone dodgy that will take the cats for recycling.

You can get a cover plate fitted that means the thievies go to the next car.

@efb reciprocating saw usually

At that price buy them and take them down to the recyling places. A few cats and you can afford a 'free' replacement.

This is still quite a thing with Jazz and Prius we probably have one a week coming in for replacement. On Thursday last week I returned a Jazz and a Prius to their owners having been repaired. The Prius chap had asked for a cage to be fitted on his car and I remember hearing that the Jazz owner's wife had heard and seen it happening to their car but was threatened by the two individuals whilst they proceeded to nick it, so technically a robbery not just a theft. The guard or cage over the cat is definitely a good idea but is about the same cost of replacing the cat but once fitted you won't stress over the potential for theft.

The E63 had a little hatch in the sill that you remove in order to slide the trolley jack under it- I’m hoping the car is so low that getting under it to steal any of its four cats would be tricky.

In. Let's do it. Although Russ' car is fancier.

This just looks incredible. I want this, but in black.

I'm considering selling my relatively low mileage Clio 182 for a Mk1 MX5 - is this a bad idea?

Wondering which version is the best - UK/JDM 1.6/1.8

Are the all rotten?

Can I get my hands on a nice one for 3k?

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Please mention on here first when it comes time to pass your 182 on...

Wondering which version is the best

For me RWD is compulsory when buying a fun car, that hasn't got mad power. With the amount of limited editions and units made I'd buy purely on condition. Almost everything can be swapped so a much of a muchness. 1.6 is freeer reving and 1.8 has a whiff more torque.

I like MX5s a lot though the rainwater runs off the roof and into the wings, which is fine if the drain holes aren't blocked with leaves and shit. Therefore they rust through the sills betwixt door and rear wheel arch. I had a Mk 2.5 which turned out to be rustier than I thought. It cost as much to get repaired as the car cost me. It was MIL's by that time but it was a cracker of a drive.
There are a couple of Mk1s I've seen recently that are ridiculously low and tucked which is not for me.

Call Tony...

is this a bad idea?

Yes but do it anyway. These were discussed a while ago. I think the conclusion was either you buy a rusty one for cheap and pray it passes MOT, or buy an expensive one and dont worry

The cars rot from the inside out.Even the expensive ones...

I was driving into Brisbane with Lori a couple of weeks back and spotted a huge 'Call Tony 04XX XXX XXX' sign outside a used car dealership, Lori couldn't get her camera out quick enough to document it... How we lol'd...

After a new car - Golf or Scirocco. What should I be looking for when buying used, and how many miles can you get out of an average one before they are bound to be scrapped? I know absolutely nothing about cars.

The Scirocco is essentially a less practical, but better looking Golf with fewer engine choices.

You should be able to make the call between the two yourself based on your circumstances.

My dad had a sirocco for a few years. Look much better than a golf but otherwise, they’ve got harsh / crashy suspension, they’re dark and cramped and the boot is shit.

Would go golf if those are your only options.

We have a mk 5 golf, 57 plate..

The only issue we've had is the brake module - I think it was subject to a recall originally but it's gone twice since we had it. Each time >£500 (and possibly quite a bit more, I can't remember) to replace, and annoyingly might become an economical question next time vs. the value of the car... I think it was an issue unique to that version of the car.

Don't know if that's helpful, everything else about it has been trouble free for more than ten years of ownership. For what it's worth I'd get another one over almost anything else.

Impossible to get a bike in the back of a Scirocco? Already have to take the front wheel of mine to get it into the back of a shared V60.

Possible without both wheels and the seats down. Unlikely with just one wheel off.

.

I used to have a sirocco. Got my bike in the back with front wheel off no probs.

Got rid of it cos of the stupid big wheels/skinny tyre combo + harsh suspension resulted in a flat tyre every time you hit a pot hole of decent size. I think I even had to replace one of the wheels from memory.

Fair to say the last scirocco was not a scirocco.

Mk1 or Mk 2

More bothering for help - I'm going to look at this one (the other one has already sold!): https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011166158529?postcode=e81jp&model=BERLINGO&sort=relevance&price-to=3000&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&include-delivery-option=on&make=CITROEN&fuel-type=Petrol&advertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&page=1#db-tab-1

Can anyone offer some advice on things I should do when checking it out? I.e., can someone be my virtual dad?

I can see the the rear seat looks like it's a bit messed up. But beyond that?

Take the oil filler cap off and check there's no biege creamy business under it. That can indicate a head gasket issue. Check oil level on the dipstick. If it's been serviced the oil should be translucent not black and shouldn't smell "burnt". Heater must work, tyres must have decent tread depth and exhaust shouldn't blow. The windscreen must be chip and crack free and every switch has to work, including wipers/washers. Check wear on clutch and brake pedal rubbers and see how shiny the gear knob and steering wheel are. When you drive it do it a bit jerky, like a learner, and listen for knocks. With the handbrake on try and pull away if it doesn't sit down evenly and stall then it's not good. Accelerate and brake hard, if it's safe, then just drive it through all the gears. You should go and try another one out and compare the two. Don't buy it just because....

Take the oil filler cap off and check there's no biege creamy business under it. That can indicate a head gasket issue. Check oil level on the dipstick. If it's been serviced the oil should be translucent not black and shouldn't smell "burnt". Heater must work, tyres must have decent tread depth and exhaust should blow. The windscreen must be chip and crack free and every switch has to work, including wipers/washers. Check wear on clutch and brake pedal rubbers and see how shiny the gear knob and steering wheel are. When you drive it do it a bit jerky, like a learner, and listen for knocks. With the handbrake on try and pull away if it doesn't sit down evenly and stall then it's not good. Accelerate and brake hard, if it's safe, then just drive it through all the gears. You should go and try another one out and compare the two. Don't buy it just because....

This is awesome - thanks! Mate's actually got one up the road so was going to go take a (socially distant) look at it this afternoon, so should have something to compare it to.