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Nov 14, 2010 20:28:37 GMT
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I just bought a 1991 proton 1.3gl for 50 snoots. 25 quids worth of welding and its on the road. stands me in ~£175 inc tax/mot .
5 speed box, good heater, an oil filter is £1.29, clutch kit £45.99!
food for thought? I sold a 2001 hyundai accent yesterday for £365. mot'd til next march it was. like someone else said, why go for an expensive tax exempt car with four gears and curse word fuel economy? its cool to ride old skool but sometimes needs must.....
and btw dude i feel for you. its seems nobody is safe from the big "R" word now. i spent the past week mopping floors 'cause we only had 5 cars a day in.
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Last Edit: Nov 14, 2010 20:32:26 GMT by racingdave
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Nov 14, 2010 20:34:21 GMT
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Sorry to here that Grizz i was put in the same boat as you in october 08, been working for the same company for 16 years then got made redudent just like that they got rid of 40 drivers(THE DAILY ECHO)had a company van since then ive got my late dads mk 4 1800 td escort estate its done me prowed ;D. but now ive got a part time mini bus driving job 20 hours a week when i was doing 40 to 50 hours a week.
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14042013738.jpg
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Nov 14, 2010 20:49:26 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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Nov 14, 2010 21:05:03 GMT
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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 I used to do a high annual mileage. Luckilly I got reimbursed at a decent rate. Best thing I ever did was leave the "classic" at home and use a "modern" for commuting. Ultra reliable, decent MPG, confortable, etc. OK boring to drive but at least I knew I could get to and from work every day without having to spend every weekend maintaining. Paul H
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Thanks again for all the responses guys.
It seems I will probably end up going for something cheeky, 20 years old, maybe an MX5, but more likely an older Golf diesel, as they seem to come up often, and give a good balance between economy, comfort and reliability. I would love an MX5, but right now its probably not that sensible. Nicola has also told me off, as we can probably make it work with one modern between us.
In the mean time its back to Ebay trawling, and sorting my garage.
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mrj
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,662
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i am almost in the same boat at the moment, i'd suggest a Dolomite, which i would buy off you cheaply as soon as you are back in business Would be a win/win situation then ... ;D Marina/Ital would be fine, too
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- 1971 VW 1600 TL Fastback - 1978 Passat GLS Variant - 1980 Audi 100 5E - 1981 VW aircooled panel van (sold) - 1983 VW Jetta Mk.I - 1984 VW Polo Coupé - 1984 VW Passat hatchback - 1987 VW Passat Variant - 1987 VW Passat hatchback - 1988 VW T25
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Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
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Nov 21, 2010 14:41:06 GMT
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Grizz,
I've only seen this thread now and am saddened by your predicament but it's good that you've got straight back on the horse with your CV etc - many interviews will follow I'm sure. When I was in a similar situation I came incredibly close to buying a W124 Merc Wagon. They really are outrageous bargains at the moment, and the great news is that the older ones are better built and less prone to rust. Have a spin in a decent 300D Wagon and I reckon you'll never look back!
Mark
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L33 RWW
Part of things
Kettle on?
Posts: 135
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Nov 21, 2010 19:51:21 GMT
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Sorry to hear this, I was in a similar place last June so I jumped ship and did something I always wanted to do, went to Uni! I'd suggest a Mk3 Golf diesel as they seem pretty exempt from scene tax at the moment, my mate had one and it went ok and was really good on fuel. Reliability comes as standard too... Hope you get sorted soon
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10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,253
Club RR Member Number: 204
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Nov 21, 2010 21:45:11 GMT
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If going pre 73 I'd go for a P6 rover 2000TC great reliable classic very useable and very safe, i ran one as a daily many years ago loved it..
Though if it were me I'd shoulder the insurance and buy a cheap low mileage late 90's modern, something like a mk2 Mondeo or a Hona Accord, simple reliable economical transport..
Though something like a mk2 golf would make a nice compromise between the two I just sold a good 2 dr Gti with ful MOT for £800 so they're not even that dear..
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The Internet, like all tools, if used improperly, can make a complete bo**cks of even the simplest jobs...
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Nov 22, 2010 10:51:10 GMT
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Hi Grizz,
How about a 90's Saab 9-3? Comfortable, reliable, fairly good on insurance, but also you won't be embarrassed to park up at your next interview? They're massively underrated and therefore cheap.
Just a thought.
Cheers,
Rich
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Nov 22, 2010 11:26:25 GMT
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Mk3 golfs are generally a good bet. As has been said they seem not to have attracted any scene tax yet, I've watched a few go on ebay of late for absolute buttons.
The one thing to watch out for with Mk3's though is rust. The floors, sills and rear inner and outer arches dissolve with alarming speed. I had a '91 J plate Mk2 that was immaculate underneath, and a mate's Mk3 VR a couple of years newer was rotten as a pear.
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1967 Morris Traveller 1971 Series IIA Land Rover 1991 Golf GL 4+e 1992 Corrado G60 1986 E28 BMW 528i
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Nov 22, 2010 11:28:13 GMT
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Thanks guys for everyone of your care and concern, it makes a bitter pill much easier to swallow.
Mark, I guess it just goes to show, times are tough, and companies will do what they have to. My company has 5500 people earmarked for redundancy, and that does not include those who leave voluntarily, or get worked out.
Ultimately, I am not taking this personally, otherwise I would be a pretty bitter person today.
Nicola primarily, and I have decided that I will be doing all the work in and around the house till January, and even though my CV is out with agents, and I have been for a couple of interviews, my life really is quite full and busy right now, so in the new year I will be out there with a vengeance.
EssexRich, WRT the Saab, I have 100% no feelings about them, but would be happy to jump in many and live with them for a long time, you are right, like Vauxhall Vectra's etc they are massively undervalued.
There was a bargain one in Orpington recently, but Nicola has made me "promise" that I will not buy a car, as we have hers to share, a bus stop outside the house and a motorbike for good days.
...................... however, I would still love to have a retro toy if not tool.
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bryn
Posted a lot
Posts: 3,913
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Nov 22, 2010 13:31:54 GMT
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Hello buddy, I feel for you, having been self employed for so long the thought of holding down a job scares me, let alone the prospect of losing one. But that doesn't help your situation... ;D I always work with what I know, the support of a partner is worth far more than a cheap older car, Nicola is right So go with what you know and make it work that way to start with. I have spent my working life turning up for jobs in older cars, often to places that I have to consider my image when doing so. For that reason I would recommend something of German or Scandinavian origin. The image that say a Sierra or even older Vauxhall gives is one that you might not want, in no way is that meant to offend any Sierra or Vauxhall drivers, it's just an observation learnt from turning up in them. Some people can be incredibly blinkered and for no really good reason, German and Scandinavian cars don't suffer so much from the stigma. Merc 124 300s are great, Passats etc should you feel the need. Although I'd go MX5 all day long ;D
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Volvo, Buggy, Discovery and an old tractor.
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Nov 22, 2010 13:46:47 GMT
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Sorry about you loosing your job but i have atteneded an interview and now currently work at the same place after going to the interview on my 98 Fazer 600 with tank bag fully loaded with my suit jacket and interview shoes!
put the other stuff in the tank bag that i could and the rest is history
good luck at what ever you go for
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ZXRob
Europe
Posts: 1,193
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Nov 22, 2010 14:42:03 GMT
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Sorry to hear about your situation. Ive been there and its not very nice!
How about a b3 passat turbo diesel cool looks proper reliable cheap parts and comfortable also alot cheaper to buy than the mk2 golfs. Or as said a micra as they are relatively bombproof and cheap to tax and insure with great fuel economy. And lastly the ZX volcane turbo diesel, I got one at the beginning of the year as a cheap car to put me on for a few months while I look for something else.. I still have it and it got me over here to germany with no problems and on 40 quids worth of fuel (from wigan, lancashire) and its cheap to insure.
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md
Part of things
Posts: 839
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Nov 22, 2010 15:02:27 GMT
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A said by many people, sorry to hear about the situation, it sucks - happened to me earlier in the year but about to start a new job in 2 weeks. What do/did you do? sounds stupid but someone on here may know of a company that needs your skills....
I know it wont be a popular recommendation as its modern and french, but one of the most reliable cars I've owned was a Pug 306DT - 50+ mpg, bought it for 600 notes with over 6 months tax and test, only things wrong with it were the slider on the passenger seat and a cracked indicator lense - and the insurance was curse word all, about £350 for the year for a 24 year old
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------------------------------------ ||-|| (()) ||\|| ||)) //-\\ (( || \\// || ((
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Nov 22, 2010 18:39:24 GMT
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A said by many people, sorry to hear about the situation, it sucks - happened to me earlier in the year but about to start a new job in 2 weeks. What do/did you do? sounds stupid but someone on here may know of a company that needs your skills.... I know it wont be a popular recommendation as its modern and french, but one of the most reliable cars I've owned was a Pug 306DT - 50+ mpg, bought it for 600 notes with over 6 months tax and test, only things wrong with it were the slider on the passenger seat and a cracked indicator lense - and the insurance was jolly pain in the backside all, about £350 for the year for a 24 year old Thanks again guys, Bryn, as you know.... upward and onward, or as Buzzz Lightyear said "To Infinity and Beyond" I have had a weird career life. Started in Special Forces, thennursed, and been a drug salesman the last 19 years. Almost 14 with one company. Sales/teaching is probably what I do best.
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md
Part of things
Posts: 839
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Nov 22, 2010 18:59:30 GMT
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I'll have a word on the sales front, I'm a salesman myself, but I'm technical sales on IT security, however I know a few companies recruiting at the moment, where are you based? it says kent on your location but you were talking about manchester/brum earlier?
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------------------------------------ ||-|| (()) ||\|| ||)) //-\\ (( || \\// || ((
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Nov 22, 2010 19:18:55 GMT
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I'll have a word on the sales front, I'm a salesman myself, but I'm technical sales on IT security, however I know a few companies recruiting at the moment, where are you based? it says kent on your location but you were talking about manchester/brum earlier? I live in Rochester, Kent. ME3 postcode area. Many companies will have their interviews and assessment centres in places like Manchester etc as it is more central in the country for people to get to from various areas.
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Nov 22, 2010 19:57:22 GMT
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..... and been a drug salesman the last 19 years. .... Drug salesman eh? I wish you all the best though chief, I know you are a resourceful chap so hopefully you will get sorted out soon.
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Last Edit: Nov 22, 2010 19:59:14 GMT by dave21478
1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
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