ever think shal i just jack this all in?

I think it all the time

However I do have a modern "sensible" car.

And I have the same problems.

just a curse word-load more expensive

In my experience modern cars are as much if not more hassle than retro-rides and more expensive to buy and maintain too!

After badgering by the missus, I stopped buying wibblepoo old Tat and changing it regularly.
I bought a Skoda Octavia, dirt cheap and rock solid and reliable.
Now I'm bored. Also now I have lost my job. So I might need to sell it for a couple of mortgage payments and buy some more wibblepoo old tat.
Oh well, back again.

Yeah I just got fed up with mine so I bought something else to play with to keep me occupied. I'll go back to it in a few weeks when the motivation is up again.

I got so fed up of my 1500 that I sold it, that thing was trouble and it took me to the end of my leash, I still worked on it for 3 months mind ;D .........nightmarish. I had such a fight with it that it almost bankrupted me, drove me mad and then failed to live up to any input I gave it. Also ruined my summer

It sounds like your 1850 was not a 'good' one....either that or you're just being too hard on it - there is less of a safe zone in classics when it comes to thrashing them (unless they have been suitably modified) and if you do hammer down on them, they will give.

Whoever defines 'character' as a mechanical or electrical failure is not on the same wavelength as me....I like my cars to be reliable, tough and strong - otherwise it's not reliable transport and I'll only get irritated at it, frustrated and or humiliated by a failure. I don't classify breakdowns as 'interesting', I tend to need to get where I'm going ;D

After all, there's no such thing as an unreliable car, just a poorly maintained one. I think the key is to have two cars - one for backup, so you can take yours off the road and spanner at your hearts content and at whatever speed you want, whilst still being able to enjoy driving and not be stuck. This is something I've suffered from previously

For me, a vehicles character comes from it's handling, noise, performance (or lack of!), it's interior and exterior design and any 'soul' it may have - such as the warmth that eminates from wood panelling. Irritating trim rattles are NOT character, just flaws....... (yet I still put up with them ;D)

I like driving moderns too, although not run of the mill ones. Our Jeep Cherokee is a good laugh in a towering, thundering three tons of American pig iron way, very comfortable and it has quite a bit of character. The Merc isn't that interesting, very plain but well equipped saloon - I do enjoy driving it in some respects but the throttle response is dire and it is a bit over aided, I can feel the computers getting in the way all over the place.

Ace gadgets though Speed limiter, cruise control and parking sensors, all very nice.

A lot of modern cars are however, completely devoid of character or interest for me - Saab 93s, Ford Mundanoes, the standard Eurobox thing.

Chrysler 300C, now, I'd have one of those ...still quite like the 350Z too ...still don't quite have the ambience of an older car tho.



Just my 0.2c.

However, now I've got my happy little 1500SE that cost me .......well, nothing, and everything works - I'm dead chuffed. I can hoon about in it, the box is beautiful and it relishes clutchless changes and the little rubber band tyres make for lots of squealing and sliding.........I have the energy to spanner once again!

The only modern cars that interest me I couldn't afford, so I won't go there

What happened to it Ryan, run out of oil? Did it overheat before hand, the waterpump could have died. Odd to have top end problems on the slant engines....quite rare. We've got a complete 1850 engine and box in the back garden that you can come have if you want ....for say 20 quid. Sounds fine, just needs a service! Gotta take care of these things

Got a siezed clutch though...couldn't free it off with the starter. Or the engine. Or towing it 300m with the Jeep....man that was fun (all uphill and on a muddy garden ;D)

Pretty much the story at the end of the day

i must be the only person who doesnt get like that well, not fully, ill give it a rest for a few days and carry on after.

I tend to get fed up with the vehicle/part in question, and want to change that.

I've NEVER even considered junking it all and wandering down the dealers for something on finance.

I don't want my backside widened that much.

I quite like being different to the usual road user, on occasions I get the odd smile, thumbs up and positive comment. The driving experience is unique and on a good day the world is ace. On the few bad days I've had - stranded due to alternator failure and a mysterious fusing issue being the most recent problems, I have not for moment considered buying a modern car - at the moment I don't strictly depend on my car, so safety and long distances which are associated with modern cars, are not factors.

Plus the fact that I'm perpetually skint, and more often than not I can rely on people to help me out.

Owning a Classic/retro car today is an uphill struggle, parts are getting rarer/more expensive, the rust is eating my cars and legislation is closing in on us, but its a bit like suffering for your art!