93fxdl
Posted a lot
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Posts: 2,013
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Nov 13, 2010 21:02:46 GMT
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don't know if it is still going? but there was a government scheme which would pay costs for travelling to interviews, so if this is still operational i would hold off the buying of a car until the job offer is signed and in your hand but if not i would just look at the cheapest and most economical thing i could find.(disposable) as for insurance try a few compare the meerkat type sites and see how much cash you are going to get screwed for ttfn glenn
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Nov 13, 2010 21:14:01 GMT
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Its sounds fairly mad to me that you have lost your job and immediately want to buy a new car! Grizz's job came with a company car. That's why. As Brian said, I had a company car, which has alwa been great and a privilege, and although we can get about with Nicola's modern, sometimes we will need 2 reliable cars, and thats the trick. Not rushing off but rather checking out what is the lay of the land. Thansk for all the responses so far.
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will
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,023
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Nov 13, 2010 22:41:52 GMT
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Buy a suit that don't crease then man up and do it on the bike ;D, cheaper fuel costs and hardcore kudos coming your way if you do this. OR, chuck the gs in the back of the taunus in case reliability becomes an issue. OR maybe a cheap modernish that will go on a classic policy is best. Sierra Mk2 golf mx5 mr2 etc etc. As said have a phone/internet around for quotes. Insurance works in funny ways Good luck mate.
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PhoenixCapri
West Midlands
Posts: 2,685
Club RR Member Number: 91
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Tax free I'd say a Hillman Minx/Hunter/Superminx are generally strong and reliable (mine did 30,000 miles in 2 years with basic servicing) But if it was me I'd join the Jag Enthusiasts Club, buy a late XJ40, or X300 XJ6 for £1000-1500 and enjoy the good life. You get a great discount with Footman James, and as classic policy can't use no claims anyway, I'm 26 and insuring an X300 XJ6 for 5000miles is around 300 notes If you buy well it'll give great service, and the parts are actually very reasonable, plus engines/gearboxs will do 300,000miles with just oil changes. Plus driven in the correct wafty fashion I got 31mpg out of my 4litre! Good luck with the job search. Sure something will turn up soon
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dungbug
Posted a lot
'Ooligan!
Posts: 2,852
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Nov 14, 2010 10:01:40 GMT
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As much as I love VW Bugs I wouldn't fancy running one from Kent to Manchester I'd say either Sierra or Orion (both affordable & easy to source parts for if/when required), both comfortable enough on a long run too. I'm sure you could wangle a classic policy on these, but be aware alot of companies are starting to remove 'commuting' from their classic policies (as I found out insuring the bug last year. : . Does your current insurer for the Bus offer a modern policy? Although you've got no NCB they will have some driving history for you as you've already got a policy with them. As previously mentioned, sorry to hear about the redundancy. Tough times for getting work chap so wishing you lots of luck with the search. Whatever you decide to go with put a shout out on here, someone might have what you're after.
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Past: 13 VW Beetles from 1967 - 1974 Bay Window Campers (1973 & 1974) Mini's (1992 Cooper lookalike & 1984 '25 Anniversary) MK2 Polo Coupe S (1984 & 1986) MK2 Polo Breadvan (1981 & 1984) MK4 Escort (1989) MK2 Granada Based Hearse (seriously) Fiat Uno 60S (1986) Punto 60S (1998) Cinq (1997) 1998 Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat 2003 Ford KA
Current: 2004 Ford Focus (barely alive)
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Nov 14, 2010 10:06:08 GMT
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that's a bit of a blow bud sorry to hear that.. its happened to me.. twice now! first time round I found a job with in the week.. but second time round wasn't so easy and had to take the trip to the good old Job center(that was a bit of a joke in its self!! ) needed help to pay the mortgage.. and guess what. cos I have worked all my life, and payed my way.. I wouldn't get any help with payments.. BUT if I hadn't worked,and sat around doing fook all, all my life.. then my mortgage would be payed for me?!!! that's not really what you want to hear!! hope that's not the case for you??? (mortgage all but payed?) anyway.. more to the point.. lots of ideas up above for a classic Mobile job hunter.. but one not said.. nice little Mk1 fiesta?? still cheap to buy.. cheap on tax.. and dead easy to fix if they go wrong.... would still do 70mph happily for the longer trips.. think its what I would look for... come to think of it.. I had to use the hiace to look for a new job.. and that managed well enough.. and still us it ever day now(100 miles a week in it!) hope it all works out for you(both of you ) its a hard time, and even more so when there bills to pay!) but I'm shore your find something to keep occupied! ;D
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Last Edit: Nov 14, 2010 10:08:43 GMT by petetong
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Nov 14, 2010 10:53:10 GMT
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Personally I would get a 80s diesel, sure its not going to be the most fun thing to drive, but what you want is something thats cheap to run, can be put on classic insurance, and is comfortable, so for me I would be getting a..... Mercedes 240D/250D (still has a bit of class) Sierra 2.3D (cheap parts, rwd for a bit of fun, and 40mpg) Pug 309 1.9D (good sized car, 55mpg, and comfortable) Mitsubishi Galant 1.8TD (ultra reliable but dull) Mercedes 190 2.5D (see Merc above) Citroen BX 17D/19D (cool as, supremely comfortable, and 50mpg ) (or that campervan i have just PMed you )
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1993 Fiat Panda Selecta 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van 2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
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rob0r
East of England
Posts: 2,743
Club RR Member Number: 104
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Nov 14, 2010 11:51:49 GMT
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BMW E32 7 series gets my vote, nothing but reliable in my case and actually return reasonable MPG on the motorway. I'll have one for sale in the next month or so, maybe!
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E30 320i 3.5 - E23 730 - E3 3.0si - E21 316 M42 - E32 750i ETC
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Nov 14, 2010 12:00:06 GMT
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Thanks a lot for all the input gys.
PandaSelecta, you are indeed a gem, thanks for the PM's and also the offer of the Angry Panda, actions like that are what makes this community so great, and guys like you often are missed out in the thank you honours.
It looks like it may well end up being a diesel something or other, deffo in the "Classic" league, but maybe still something cheeky like a MX5 or else I like the Mk2 Golfs, the Mk3's to me seem a bit ugly and unloved, but may just throw up a decent bargain somewhere on the web.
Speaking to insurers makes a difference, and if I can extend the Bus' insurance to cover a second car, that will be the way to go.
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,934
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Nov 14, 2010 13:16:50 GMT
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Be aware that most 'classic car' polices will not cover you for commuting to and from work. There may be some companies that don't but we've never had a problem. me neither I don't get the tax free bit either - if I was going to commute a reasonable distance I'd want something relatively modern with a level of creature comforts as well as decent mpg and easy and cheap maintenance
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Nov 14, 2010 14:00:51 GMT
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Highway do specialist policies for 4x4's, that may sound useless but bear in mind you can buy a mid 90's Vitara for 3 or 4 hundred quid now, they are pretty reliable by all accounts, do 30mpg, have working heaters, wipers etc etc, ideal for winter if its snows and i just got an isurance quote of £160 fully comp for mine from Highway and that includes being covered off road, I'm limited to 3000 miles a year admittedly but it don't sound like you'll be commuting in it to start with so you could run it until you need a better car.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Nov 14, 2010 14:08:21 GMT
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I'm in the same boat mate.
How about a Triumph 2000/2500 TC/PI or an early Stag?
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Koos
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Nov 14, 2010 16:47:51 GMT
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Thanks a lot for all the input gys. PandaSelecta, you are indeed a gem, thanks for the PM's and also the offer of the Angry Panda, actions like that are what makes this community so great, and guys like you often are missed out in the thank you honours. It looks like it may well end up being a diesel something or other, deffo in the "Classic" league, but maybe still something cheeky like a MX5 or else I like the Mk2 Golfs, the Mk3's to me seem a bit ugly and unloved, but may just throw up a decent bargain somewhere on the web. Speaking to insurers makes a difference, and if I can extend the Bus' insurance to cover a second car, that will be the way to go. What about something in that league, a TD Sierra, Orion/Escort mk3 cvh, Golf driver 1.3, pug 309 etc - something late 80s, still 20 years old for the policy but still attainable at £300, then get the job, flog it for £300 again and get a company car or start commuting in the bus or buy a car that is going to stay for a while. You don't need to be tying up huge money in a car right now, and something semi-modern and reliable but cheap will do the trick for the short 'limbo' period you're dealing with...?
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luckygti
Posted a lot
I need to try harder!
Posts: 4,912
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Nov 14, 2010 17:53:42 GMT
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Rian, sorry to hear about the redundancy mate, bit of a blow when you've just got the new house and everything So, my 190e was on a classic policy, think it was about £175. Problem with classic policies is that they're all pretty much limited mileage. Mine was 5000 a year, which doesn't take long to build up! As for smaller cars, well I'd avoid anything that's got hard/lowered suspension! I'm sure you're like me when it comes to wanting a bit of comfort I'd go with a Merc, Beemer or Volvo personally! best of luck mate.
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Nov 14, 2010 19:05:59 GMT
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Sorry to hear that mate, not good news. I had my e28 m535i with Peter James on an unlimited mileage policy and it was 165 pounds a year. I'd look for a tidy e class w124 diesel. They're cheap, tough, comfy, have a bit of class and can run on veg oil.
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Nov 14, 2010 19:07:58 GMT
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I'm in a similar position having no modern car history or NCB, and currently looking for a winter car. 15 yrs is cutoff for some classic policies, so not bad. Depending on your budget, I'd second the Amazon shout, very trustworthy cars. Overdrive makes them great for distances.
To chuck in some non-tax-free, but cheap insurance and reliable as anything ones - W124 2660E Mercs are £120-£130 for me to insure. Lexii £200 and up. Different region but maybe not so different insurance-wise?
Best of luck with the job hunting.
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'66 Amazon <-> '94 LS400 <-> '86 Suzuki 1135 EFE
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Nov 14, 2010 19:29:24 GMT
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To me personally you need something mega reliable,imagine going to a new job and having to explain why your late AGAIN cos your throttle cable snapped or your carb iced up in your 1970's mgb?
Sure,once your feet are under the table then great,you'll be a bit more relaxed about it but for now I'd say go down the boring route of an 1.8 focus,ka or an astra/Corsa etc as their mega reliable and easy to get bits for.if you stick below 1.5 your only looking at £68.75 for 6 months which isn't too bad really.factor in 40mpg and it starts to make sense.
I'm in exactly the same position as you fella,I've just closed up my own business in the last 6 weeks and I'm looking for work to get back into what I used to do (industrial electrician).There's a bit out there but it's so frustrating waiting for answers.so far I've put in for three jobs,had one interview,got one on Thursday and I'm hoping to hear back from one I only applied for on Friday,I passed onto stage 2 of that,so it's looking ok.
I'm currently in a Corsa 1.2 16valve and fair play it's a cracking little car.I too had a few silly ideas over the last week or so of swapping it for something else but realistically I'm out of work,it's cheap,reliable and goes ok so I'm keeping it for a while yet........well,until I get back into work at least!!!!
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Nov 14, 2010 20:03:13 GMT
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Footman James have insured anything I've had over 15 years old on a classic policy and have always been dirt cheap for us.
I was running an Audi 80 Tdi Avant about a year, or so, ago. I sought out the newest one I could, whilst keeping it old enough to insure. Comfy, roomy, quiet and did 50 mpg all day long. I've always loved these cars for some reason, so I'm slightly biased; but they really are good workhorses.
Another personal fave I'd have to suggest would be a Citroen ZX Volcane Td - still some great ones about for not much money. Nothing extraourdinary about them, but nippy, comfy, frugal, etc, etc.
Joe
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Nov 14, 2010 20:12:11 GMT
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Sorry to hear the bad news Rhian , a lot of my workmates found themselves in the same position last year as the company I'd worked for since coming out of school went into administration . I'm sure you won't fail to impress at interviews and the like as you are a bl**dy nice bloke ! ... maybe still something cheeky like a MX5 or else I like the Mk2 Golfs, the Mk3's to me seem a bit ugly and unloved, but may just throw up a decent bargain somewhere on the web. It seems to me that mk 3 Golfs rust far more than mk2's , two of my mates own mk2 Golf GTD's and they are not only reliable and pretty quick ( for an older diesel ) but they've also got the classic mk2 look and damn good fuel economy . Not tax exempt obviously but you'll save money on fuel costs and parts are next to nothing from GSF and the like . ( I can also personally recommend a mk 2 / 3 Polo , done over 80'000 miles in mine since I bought it and bar a headgasket change a few years back ( done it myself , easy enough ) and the usual consumables ( rear wheel bearings ) it's been faultless , I'm paying about £120 a year insurance on a limited mileage policy with all mods declared with Performance Direct and the price includes breakdown cover . Anyways , sorry to ramble on aand I wish you all the best . Julian
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You've been telling me you were a genius since you were seventeen ... in all the time I've known you I still don't know what you mean !
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Nov 14, 2010 20:25:32 GMT
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1993 Fiat Panda Selecta 2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van 2006 Mercedes Kompressor Evolution-S AMG SportCoupé
"You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it"
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