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

Taking the carpets out is not that big an issue surely?

How much would you get for breaking it, if the engine and trans is in good condition?

I thought that but I have no space to do that :(

Take the carpet out youself!

Seriously - ask your man if you can save any cash by doing some of it yourself.

What's the full list of repairs needed?

welding n/s and centre chassis
both power steering pipes excessively corroded - one at £189 one at £100
new back box

I was toying with the idea of getting a cat back stainless exhaust fitted - local place does them handmade for all the modded boys - £300 ish fitted

Sod it, I don't need to use the car just now, so will try and get the work done in dribs and drabs - as long as the car is taxed it can stay out on street right? (without MOT)

Needs to be taxed and insured to stay out on street.

yeah. under cover should be ok

you are now entering the "almost classic" phase, where you have to decide on whether or not you are going to preserve the car for the future, or ride it into the ground.

do you want to keep the car? decide, then if you want to, do the work properly, if not, cut your losses and buy something you like, otherwise it will rot.

bit of a sermon - sorry.

Yeah you're absolutely right. I have to decide, or I'm just throwing money at it and it's dead money

It's not insured without an MOT- has to have a valid one.

If it's not insured then the VED is not valid, either.

Want me to ask my chap what he'd charge? Only issue is he's just outside Leicester- so a bit of a drive for you.

He has a chap round the corner (who built Red Victor) who does his welding and fabricating for him.

Nah it;s cool dude, thanks though - I've got a couple of people asking their 'man' for me, just waiting to hear back

Right, I need some advice.

My mother was driving out of Lyndhurst a week or so ago.

The traffic through the New Forest can get dreadful at pinch points such as the towns, and this had happened on that day.

A man queueing to get into Lyndhurst decided that he had had enough and tried to turn his car hard right, with the intention of going back the other way.

He therefore swung across the oncoming traffic- which turned out to be my mother, who hit him despite steering hard left and braking as hard as she could.

His insurance company have said that their offer is £1,908 to writeoff her Punto, which my parents have owned from new, and has very few miles on it (TBC).

I don't know a great deal about this- is the other parties insurer allowed to write your car off, when the other driver has admitted liability?

I get the feeling that my mother is being given a raw deal- they've offered to scrap her car for £200, I thought the scrapper typically paid you for the vehicle?

No - they are not allowed to write it off if you don't accept there offer.
You don't have to accept their valuation as the twat's insurance has no legal contact with your parents insurance.

Ah good guide here: http://www.uklegacy.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=108898

The chaps insurers have already picked it up, sadly.

50,000 miles on it, bought new in September 2003.

Who can find me another Punto with that mileage for £1,908?

Show comparable cars from dealers, copy adds from the internet, state that replacement should be of a comparable vehicle. Even if the car is taken its still your car until you accept settlement.

There is a letter available, used by motorcyclists, that is kicking around will see if out on the net.

Been looking on the interporn at pictures of english wheels. Having bought a similar one, several years ago, that has a self assembly nature, sort of a big meccano set, was brilliant for making metal bowls.

Mine has two bearings for tthe wheeling parts. Hence the cheapness of the nature.

I get the feeling that my mother is being given a raw deal- they've offered to scrap her car for £200, I thought the scrapper typically paid you for the vehicle?

Pretty sure, with the way scrap prices are at the minute, she should be getting paid for the scrap car rather than the other way round. Sense a bit of leg lifting going on here which is a bit much since they're writing off her car and giving not a lot as well. Do a bit of ringing around and see what a scrap man will offer you.

Punto would be broken up, and usual prices are around £150 for something that size.

Which engine size is it, Dammit?

Fiat Punto Active 8v hatchback

1242cc
4 seats 4 doors
1st registered 1/9/2003

Green.

I love the Gulf colours, that would be what my next frame would wear.

£2000 seems about right on Auto Trader, around 50,000 miles, 2003, 1.2 Active 5 Door Hatch.

You'd have to go visit some and show they were in shitter condition than your mum's was before the accident to ask for more.

Things that could boost it by about £500, one owner, FFSH, etc etc.