The Motor Forum

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:28 am Post subject:

Sorry, pimping again, don't they look cute together?
Fancier set Wednesday...

:-( · Turbocharged My Car: . Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 2787

Oops - realised I haven't updated

Matt · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject:

The old man's Astra aka my limo these days...

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Small car, big heart.

. · Dieselhead My Car: . Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 7595

TimR · Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:44 pm Post subject:

Nelson · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

here's a nicely washed Nelson in the car-park at the back of our dealership.

Full report to come, yes I know, long overdue, but everything going great, just back for a 350 mile trip, to say it was simple superb is an understatement, ave 45.6mpg. I have had a worrying moment or two. First was the need for 2 new tyres at the rear, ended up with Michelin Sport in 225/40 R18 Y92 spec, big low profile buggers, set me back £138 each and that was after a 15% discount. Secondly, the hose pipe leading to the rear washer jet detached itself from its housing, drenching the o/s rear seat with the water ingressing through the headlining and the rear seatbelt anchorage point. Suffice to say the removal of 2 plastic gromets in the headlining and 2 screws gave access to it and it simple clicked back in. The mechanic said that the pipe had ice in it and when I had tried to use it the pressure of the water backing up against the ice made the hose pop off the mounting. Its a common fault apparently and that it may come adrift with the opening and closing of the hatch as Ford didn't design sufficient slack in the hose, a simple fix to attach an inch more of hosing, but I'll leave that for another day.

Apart from that, driving impressions are first rate. The cabin is just a wonderful place to be, the seats are some of the very best I have ever sat in, it really does exude a sense of quality.

Jasper · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:33 pm Post subject:

I would imagine the interior is a very comforting place to be.

I like the colour and the wheels but lowering it a bit wouldn't go a miss.
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gonnabuildabuggy · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject:

how does owning a ford go down in a vauxhall dealership?

suprised you didn't get a good deal from them on something? if they can't sell to their own employees thats not a good sign for them as a business
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Aint no substitute for cubic inches.

Nelson · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

probably 'cos they pay my wages but I don't have to like their products !!....well, I do when I'm out meeting the clients that order the damn things. I could have got a good deal on a Vectra, but I would rather chew my own fist than own one privately and have to drive it on a daily basis and I don't fancy the thought either of crashing into a big tree after being distracted trying to adjust the Astra's heating and ventilation controls and as I've said many times before, the gearboxes are hysterically bad.

I take your point Jasper on the ride height, especially at the rear looking at the profile photo I have posted. Just wondering if lowering the rear will have a negative effect on the ride quality?
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I'm quite happy doing this on my own if you'd like to sod off

Jasper · Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:39 pm Post subject:

My new car

and my full sized one on a rather wild day in Bilston

Not a R32 but check out the spanking alloys.
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Matt · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:07 am Post subject:

Never seen those design before, but they look good on it. Whilst the Golf is a little austere, it's a classy looking item on decent wheels. I still want a MK4 to replace Lionel.
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Small car, big heart.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:00 am Post subject:

I think your "boring car" credentials are taking a beating there, Jasper. That actually looks very tasty. I'd have a word with your dealer about the panel fit and paint finish on the silver Puma though ...

simonp · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:08 pm Post subject:

I seem to have missed this thread for almost a year!

Anyhoo, here's my French fancy after a drive to Exmouth down country lanes strewn liberally with defrosting cow shit. Lost count of how many times the rear wash/wipe was used. I think the diffuser actually works, judging by the state of the rear screen all the time!

A lot of owners fit spacers to the wheels and when you look from this angle I can see why.

Jasper · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:09 pm Post subject:

Simon, that looks great dirty. Don't wash it.

Thanks for the comments on the Golf. It really is amazing what a nice set of (Sharan) alloys can do to a car. When my Sister-in-law bought the car, I did get to spec it, so it has Graphite Black paint and air-con, which was an option at the time. It's a good basic car and that's what I need right now. The next one can have more thrills.

My new Pima it nowhere as good round corners. I think the tracking might be out.
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simonp · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:25 am Post subject:

PR · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:26 am Post subject:

The Clio looks ace - I do love the pumped-up styling of that car.

May I also add to the appreciation of Jasper's alloys.
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:-( · Turbocharged My Car: . Joined: 26 Dec 2006 Posts: 2787

+1 . The Golf looks great on those alloys and the Clio is still my favourite hot supermini by miles.

Matt · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:47 am Post subject:

Another of the Astra, from Christmas Day

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Small car, big heart.

. · Dieselhead My Car: . Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 7595

Duncan, a set of Eibachs (-30mm) will sought the ride height out with no effects on ride quality.

SimonP, looks like were in Exmouth on the same day if you were there on the Friday - I was there in the morning pre works crimbo piss up for a site visit.

Like the alloys on the Mk5 Jasper - looks great.

Jasper · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:25 pm Post subject:

I am very pleased you guys like the look of the Golf. It warms my heart.

I like the Astra coupe, there's not enough of that type of car for my liking. What do people buy now instead of these, Ford Pumas or Tigras?
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Humphrey The Pug · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 3:55 pm Post subject:

simonp · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject:

I had a coupe, but had to get shot when I got a dog, as he likes to travel in the boot, not on the seats.

Matt · Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:21 pm Post subject:

Nice Irmscher grille. Ours has the blue version of the seats you had.
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Small car, big heart.

Chris M Wants a V-10 · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:37 pm Post subject:

Gratuitous shot of Galaxy from a while back:

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Papped by Paul; London 2008-09-27

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 11:44 pm Post subject:

. · Dieselhead My Car: . Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 7595

Seems alot of us have changed our cars in the twelve months this thread has been up - and Matt is back to being carless again. Always next January, Matt!

Anyway, some Sporty looking Sport Editions, especially for Martin and Blarno:

DaveGibson · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:02 am Post subject:

Another couple of pratts with their foglights on when there's no fog around.

Matt · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:19 am Post subject:

Heh, I think it might be some sort of hex that means one way or another I won't have a car at Christmas!
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Small car, big heart.

. · Dieselhead My Car: . Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 7595

PR · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject:

What about the Freelander - does it ever go off road at all.....?
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Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject:

PR · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:18 pm Post subject:

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:28 pm Post subject:

Though IIRC from Vie en Bleu 2007, the Focus has definitely been off-road.

. · Dieselhead My Car: . Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 7595

"him" · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

Mine can do that...

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Remember - A gym without chalk is a heath spa...

PR · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

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. · Dieselhead My Car: . Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 7595

Mines higher than yours and only on one wheel! Thrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrp.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject:

Old Citroens can do that without the blocks ...

"him" · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:

simonp · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject:

405 can do that without blocks too....
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*Innocent Whistle*

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:16 am Post subject:

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*Innocent Whistle*

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:18 am Post subject:

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:07 am Post subject:

Yep, also managed to find all the lost socks that match that mysterious single one in every drawer worldwide.
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*Innocent Whistle*

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 1:09 am Post subject:

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*Innocent Whistle*

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 9:12 am Post subject:

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 2:47 pm Post subject:

Sorry, the sock monster ate it while I was trying to find a box to send it in, along with your pink one with the lovehearts on

Dr. Hfuhruhurr · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject:

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:46 am Post subject:

Well, the brakes have been bolted one, and taken back off again...

48 stainless bolts are just too heavy, especially when they're a bit longer than they need to be,so the tart in me went and found out some nice titanium jobbies I'd forgot I had, just the right length too

So now they weigh 2950g each instead of 3100g

Wee bit lighter than the 7800g they started off at...
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*Innocent Whistle*

GonnaBreakABuggy · Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 9:59 pm Post subject:

And bolted back on again:

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*Innocent Whistle*