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Post by Penguin45 on Aug 26, 2013 20:56:48 GMT
I love my 'Crab. I lavish hours of attention on it, spend money on it and spoil it rotten.
I hate MrsP's Matiz. I lavish hours of attention on it, spend money on it and try to make it the best it can be.
I virtually ignore my Scudo work van. I never do anything to it and pay the garage to look after it. I really should skip out the rubbish.
Guess which one is almost totally reliable? Yup, the Scudo.
Which begs the question, is it worth all the time and effort we put into our projects/classics? I could cite that we're working with 40+ year old parts in many instances (Or cheap tat in the case of the Matiz), making do and mending for much of the time, but doing our best because we love it really.
This year has been sufficiently bad that I've got a threatening letter from the RAC to show for it!
Rant over, spleen vented, carry on.
Chris.
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Post by indianajones on Aug 26, 2013 23:01:07 GMT
Sometimes I think the same thing Chris, is it worth the hassle etc. Is it worth it? well not from a financial point of view, but from an enjoyment one, very much so  I mean sometimes I do think, why not just the 'crab and use the money you'd spend on it to run a later model Jag or what not. -Andrew |
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Post by Penguin45 on Aug 26, 2013 23:38:05 GMT
In many ways it's worth it. I love a nice quiet A road, fast sweeping bends, cutting the white line as you look half a mile up the road; the gruff roar from the intake of two HIF44's working in perfectly balanced unison, the gentle sideways pressure in the driver's seat as a little bit of gee pushes you across as the car refuses to lean over in the slightly tighter corners....... Then I woke up. Ho hum.  Chris. |
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Post by indianajones on Aug 26, 2013 23:44:31 GMT
Then I woke up. Ho hum. lol, sounds about right Well I'll see how I get on once the baby comes. Like I've said in the past worst case I imagine the 'crab will be put in storage until time/funds allow me to work on her. Just too many hobbies, trying to get back into my shooting now as well. -Andrew |
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Post by dave1800 on Aug 27, 2013 0:54:05 GMT
Yesterday I saw an E Class Mercedes for sale at around the same price the Landcrab owner is asking. The Mercedes is unmarked inside and out and has a Toyota Camry engine and gearbox fitted so would be relatively cheap to own. Logic tells me I am crazy to go after the Landcrab which will end up costing probably 2-3 times the price of this Merc. But my heart says Landcrab. Guess that's what makes us human a slightly crazy streak. David I love my 'Crab. I lavish hours of attention on it, spend money on it and spoil it rotten. I hate MrsP's Matiz. I lavish hours of attention on it, spend money on it and try to make it the best it can be. I virtually ignore my Scudo work van. I never do anything to it and pay the garage to look after it. I really should skip out the rubbish. Guess which one is almost totally reliable? Yup, the Scudo. Chris. |
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Post by indianajones on Aug 27, 2013 4:08:17 GMT
The Merc might be cheaper, but which one is more fun to drive....  One day I might get a Morgan 3 wheeler entirely impractical, but life's for the living. -Andrew |
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Post by Nick RS on Aug 27, 2013 11:55:48 GMT
Chris,
Must be the accumulation of all the little and not so little car woes over the last few months. You said to me that the drive over the moors to Hutton was one of the main reasons for going. I'm sure if your weeks planned work comes to fruition then it will all seem worth it.
I regard myself as extemely lucky that I have a modern car that I can get in and use without a second thought. Apart from checking the levels I regard the engine as a sealed unit. It's got leather, climate, memory heated seats, touchscreen Nav, sunblinds, huge load space or seven seats if I need them. It swallowed my spare 18/85 interior without a second thought BUT, it lacks soul; and that's why I love my Landcrab. I am sure I spend more than I should buying tools and garage equipment to keep it going. I don't have your skills by a long way so will have to split my maintenance programme between myself and the professionals. I've been lucky so far but there are sure to be trials ahead. I accept that old cars do consume parts and agree with Tommy that regular use keeps them going. Having said that modern ones are sometimes little better. A few years ago I got rid of an extremely reliable Jaguar S-Type and bought a high maintenance Alfa 156, it scratched an itch that I had to follow but it cost me dear. Done that now and probably never again but if I close my eyes and listen I can still hear that 2 litre twin spark Alfa engine - joy.
Logic never enters into it
Nick
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Post by indianajones on Aug 27, 2013 20:28:45 GMT
Logic never enters into it So true, if that were the case there'd be no classic cars! As for the S-type, I see a few of them for sale around here, they are tempting. -Andrew |
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Post by Nick RS on Aug 27, 2013 20:53:53 GMT
Andrew, I you do buy one go for the 2002 onwards as it was a much better car. I was able to buy mine direct from its maker at a very good price as it was a 2.5 manual with cloth trim and not very saleable as a result. It was only ten months old and I kept it for three year and loved it. Even though it was reliable it had real soul like the Alfa and therefore goes near the top of my list of favourite cars that I have owned.  Photographed here in 2007 as I readied it for sale Nick |
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Post by Penguin45 on Aug 27, 2013 21:14:33 GMT
I think Nick has got something there - soul. The 'Crab definitely has something different about it compared with so many other cars. Call it character, style (or lack of it!), soul - who knows; but it makes a connection in the deeper recesses of the brain.
I will admit to being seriously tee'd off when I wrote this. I was doing the Matiz top end for the second time and you get to the stage of "What the h@ll are you doing this FOR?" I'm better now, honest.
So, this evening I just rebuilt a washing machine motor for a customer, did the oil and filter change on the Matiz and demolished the nearside front suspension. Easy really.
Anyway, it's almost beer o'clock so on that happy note I'll catch you all later.
Chris.
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Post by indianajones on Aug 27, 2013 23:05:27 GMT
*hug* It's ok Chris, we've all been there. lol
And she looks lovely Nick, I would so love one in manual, but you only ever see them in auto here (like Rover 75s).
Then again if they meet E3 (or E4 for diesel) emissions I could always import one.
-Andrew
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Post by dave1800 on Aug 28, 2013 2:36:59 GMT
I have owned only two cars that made me smile when I drove them. A Frogeye Sprite with a 948cc engine, a Peco exhaust and excellent steering. Of course in reality it was slow, could be left on the bends by an Austin 1100 and crude, but such fun. The Landcrab quite different, but maybe like I imagine driving a steam engine. I felt a sense of achievement after a very fast run having tamed the beast, and at the same time it was a very docile comfortable and strong family saloon. Above all, I found the Landcrab totally predictable in all weather and road conditions, something none of my other much more exotic cars could match, even today. Such reassurance makes it unique in my book. Unless people have owned a Landcrab I find this feeling impossible to convey. Our gain is their loss. David I think Nick has got something there - soul. The 'Crab definitely has something different about it compared with so many other cars. Anyway, it's almost beer o'clock so on that happy note I'll catch you all later. Chris. |
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Post by Penguin45 on Aug 28, 2013 14:27:06 GMT
I am reinvigorated. Popped into Moss for a few bits this morning. The bill came to £18.85. Kismet.
Chris.
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Post by indianajones on Aug 28, 2013 20:39:08 GMT
I am reinvigorated. Popped into Moss for a few bits this morning. The bill came to £18.85. Kismet. Chris. Wicked _b Hopefully I get the same buzz this weekend......thinking of taking the dash out (whimpers)... -Andrew |
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Post by dave1800 on Aug 29, 2013 1:00:29 GMT
If you don't want the buzz disconnect the battery before taking out the dash Not a job to be relished but I fear I may face again soon. It always seemed to me that they started with the dash and built the car around it. Regards David I am reinvigorated. Popped into Moss for a few bits this morning. The bill came to £18.85. Kismet. Chris. Wicked _b Hopefully I get the same buzz this weekend......thinking of taking the dash out (whimpers)... -Andrew |
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