Just wondered what other people have got in the household or stored away somewhere that they are working on - and what is the car you regret selling?
Obviously I rock around in this:
Which I got to enjoy motorway journeys and transport the baby in comfort. I'm unsure how long I'll have it, but so far so good - despite a long list of niggles which I'm gradually sorting.
Wife has the Focus ST in the background.
And parked up is this:
Which is now Sorn until I can fit a small pram in the boot - hopefully in a year, when the young one has grown up a bit. The current pram belongs on a canal.
Anyway, its my pride and joy, originally started life as a Clio 172 (51 registration) and was in the hands of my best friend until it started drinking water in 2009 and he parked it up for 13 months (got a better job and forgot about it). I had always wanted it, having had one almost identical for 3 years in 2004. I made him an offer of £1200 and I had it towed to the parents house (bigger drive than mine).
The problem he described before he parked it up sounded like the headgasket, so we set about stripping it down last summer and found this:
So a new engine was needed
Luckily I sourced one from a local breaker and for the bargain price of £275 I got a phase 1 engine with similar miles to the one we removed
A weekend spent transplating the unit - improvising by actually dropping the engine out the bottom with the subframe and jacking the body up and over the top and wheeling it back on the jacks!
And she ran for 12 months until I got the '8 and a little addition to the family.
I do feel guilty though. Its sad and my wife constantly reminds me of it. But the car is so much fun to drive. Its not that quick, compared to the V8 but its the chassis that really puts a smile on your face. I just wish I could tax and insure both cars
Not sure if anyone has had any experience with Clio's in the past but I've put a lot of effort into it, which include:
-Custom Remap
-Polished, ported and matched inlets
-Phase 1 Airbox
-Custom Inlet Silicone Elbow
-Lowered on Eibach Sportlines
-Speedline Turini's in Anthracite (originally on the lightened cup model)
-V6 Spoiler
-Upgraded brake hoses
-Octavia Splitter
-Cobra Daytona Seats
-Powerflex dog-leg bush
-K-Tec Solid Top Mounts
Now I know what you'll be thinking - young pleb (is 29 young..?) with a 'modded' car. Yes, it is, but notice that it doesn't have a bean tin on the back to wake the neighbours! I must admit, my profession doesn't really match the Clio, but getting to work was the best part of the day for a year! I have long since outgrown the 'modding' if thats what is called crowd, but I always liked the look of the Turini alloys on the Cup model and the seats were so high, it was light driving it from a highchair. - thats my excuse anyway... maybe I'm just a chav at heart...
If you've ever fancied a good track/weekend cheap runner then I'd highly recommend them. Standard kit includes Aircon, half leather, Xenons, auto lights and wipers etc etc. Just a pity that its french and rattles a lot! but thats part of its character. I was going to sell it, but what is the point? its worth nothing on the open market and little to someone else, so it'll stay until the wife lets me purchase the car below.....
Besides the Clio, my previous love was this:
A Megane R26.
I miss it, to this day, only selling it to fund my wifes business startup
and would have one tomorrow.
Anyway, just wondering what everyone else has hidden away...