Davie's french attraction.

[daviemck2006]

If I get then go for a motability car i will still be keeping something else for fun when I am able to do tinkering. At the moment I could not consider giving up driving altogether, but the worry of wondering if the car is working properly or needing fettling and me not able to do it, and with the garages around here being so unreliable in getting things done, will not be missed. For example, the caddy I have just now, its actually nice to drive and has not failed yet, but at 12 years old and 110000 miles it will need attention soon. In fact a cv joint has started clicking so needs doing sooner rarher than later. Its my only running mot and taxed vehicle just now out of 3. But i will need something to keep me interested in cars as just having one new automatic car along the likes of astra, 308, c4 focus would have me totally bored within weeks. And thats the type or size of car I would go for, and to be honest it wouldnt really matter which one it was, each would be as good or bad as the other. It would just be a mode of transport.

[van ordinaire]

My worst fear about age &/or infirmity is not being able to drive, particularly as my ambition is to retire somewhere remote, so I suppose I'll end up on a small Scottish island - where it won't matter.

Fortunately we're not all alike.

[CitroJim]

No, my worst fear about age and infirmity is loosing my marbles - oh, hang on - too late. I already have

In truth, my biggest fear is loosing my ability to run and cycle. If I lose one or both then life will cease to be worth living... Honestly, I'm not joking.

[van ordinaire]

Never, ever try to understand another's interests/hobby/pastime/passion - just respect their choice BUT, I do understand what you mean THAT is exactly how I feel about driving.

Now, on to matters of moment:-
Xantia now has MoT
Took it in for the exhaust to be sorted & for some welding (o/s sill) & FREE re-test. When I asked how long he (the garage owners' son) needed,was told about 3-4 hours but when I said I'd fixed the washers, he said should be less. Anyway, we agreed on 1 o'clock & when I got back there, probably just before 1/4 to, car was out in the yard & all the paperwork had been done - AND it came in just under budget! Original "quote" had been "should be about £100 - but because of the welding, could be £150" He said he'd done the exhaust "properly" as I'd asked (rather than just welding it up) & the 2,3" hole in the sill turned out out to be 2,3 times that - the bill was £95, knocked down to £90 when he saw me counting £20's. I gave him the £100, wishing him a "Merry Christmas" & he said "Are you sure?" It's early afternoon on, probably, the last working day before Christmas & I considered myself fortunate to get the job sorted - &, as he said, £100's not bad for a ticket for a bit of an unknown quantity you've just bought. It is more than I'd expect (hope?) it to cost, but I've known people pay many times that to get their car through its 1st MoT!

So, on balance, just about the best Christmas present I'll get (or, indeed, could hope for) - especially as the red Cherokee still won't start & while the Eldorado will, it has an oil leak & a tendancy to get a little too hot.

[daviemck2006]

Thats bigpug away to a car doctor to see if it can be resurrected. Its only taken about 8 months to get someone to have a go at it.

[Fake Concern]

Thats bigpug away to a car doctor to see if it can be resurrected. Its only taken about 8 months to get someone to have a go at it.

Fingers crossed (again) that this gets fixed. It's too good a car to get binned.

[bxzx16v]

Good luck Davie , I hope bigpug gets sorted .

Mark

[daviemck2006]

Theres no word yet from the car doctor. Thats all the french car non news I have. Transferring to german, my caddy van is doing exactly what it is told, but it is going to need fettling soon, a cv joi t is starting to object to going round corners. I have also, about 6 hours ago won an auction for a sight unseen seal leon which is hopefully going to become my daily. The bigpug is only getting fixed to get sold. The leon I have won but not seen yet is a 1.6 tdi dsg semi auto with 63k recorded. It is a damaged repaired car. The price paid is under 2.5 grand. Checking ebay and gumtree shows similar cars prived at 5.5 to 6.5 grand. While on the website where I found this 12 plate one, its a relatively local huge breakers who also dell damaged repairable and repaired cars, I found the 11 plate leon that got killed by the kamikaze deer a few weeks ago. My insurance company wanted just over £700 for me to keep it, but it is now above reserve at £170. I may have a little punt at it, a bumper, wing and headlight would see it on the road again, and a couple of very small dents to fix when getting painted. It could make money, but have I got the motovation? I still have a xantia to finish!

[daviemck2006]

Theres a 407 coupe just been at my house with a car doctor driving it. He was out a test drive after getting it going. He said who put the fuel in? That was me then. The big question was why did I put in petrol into a diesel car? I can only assume that is because I am a total numptie! I was going to make the swear word sensor work overtime! And to think I was gonna sell that car for scrap for next to nothing! So its back to the garage for a service, mot and quick valet then I will manage a run in it and see if I love it again. It leabes me with an ecu, bsi, and two key fobs which I paid over 100 quid for. They will just have to go on ebay and hope I get near my money back. Then will I sell or will I keep? I dont know. Mind you it may be out on loan to my son in law, as he had a bit of a gruesome accident with a bench saw, he has lost 1/2 a thumb, the whole index finger and 1/2 the next finger. An auto would be good for him utill he heals a bit. He may get the leon auto I have bought for a while. Dont know that either. At least bigpug lives

[myglaren]

Good to hear that it is fixed/fixable Davie and will be back in your care to put more petrol in it when you feel it deserves it.

[MikeT]

What a result Davie! Pity I won't be getting an unwanted ECU/BSI to play with but glad you've got it solved all the same.

[Hell Razor5543]

Oops, hopefully not that expensive. At least you are not flexible enough to give yourself a good kick up the backside. Still, if you get to love her again it will be nice, and (while you are using the Leon) you can help out your son-in-law.

[Fake Concern]

That's why I have only ever had petrol cars as I know someone would put the wrong fuel in if we had a diesel! That's also why there are thousands of companies that made a good loiving sorting it out when it happens.
I hope you do love the Pug again, you can at least forgive it as it wasn't it's fault!
I hope the son in law heals up soon sounds nasty and a bit of a shock for him & your daughter.

[Citroenmad]

Oh well Davie, at least it's easily sorted! Glad that you've got your 407 Coupe back on the road, I bet that's a great car, they certainly look well.

[daviemck2006]

My daughter got a much needed laugh when I told her what I had done! I will offer them a loan of the leon dsg if he can manage it easier with his injury, he has a golf tdi tust now and has been saying he wants to try a dsg golf for his next car. Well a dsg leon is just a golf in a party frock so i would think he will jump at the chance of it for a while.