Car Histories

[sirwiggum]

Anyone any good stories of car histories?

How did you end up with a 406?

[*] 1994 Renault Clio 1.2 Campus

First car, I was proud of it. Managed to get 5 of us 6 foot+ lads and luggage from Belfast across Scotland to uni.
Was OK but had a heavy clutch that was it's downfall when a stall on a roundabout led to getting rear ended by a mk3 5 series. Those things are built like tanks.

[*] 1993 Ford Orion 1.8i LX Zeta

With the insurance payout (the first and only time I made a profit on a car) I decided to get something bigger. The orion seemed ok til it fell apart. I've mentioned it on a different thread - stalling, cutting out, fuel tank like a seive, wheel arches made of filler, broken fuel guage, rear window winders broke, lights broke, indicators broke, running on 3 cylinders burning oil on the 4th etc.

[*] 1996 Citroen ZX 1.9 XUD "Elation"

A great wee car. Economical, reliable. Bit slow though without a turbo.

[*] 1999 Citroen Xantia 1.8i SX

Another good car. Comfortable, reliable.

[*] 1996 Citroen ZX 1.9 XUDT estate

Got given this. With 180k on the clock it still drove like new. Should have kept it but sold this and the Xantia to buy a quarter life crisis car :

[*] 1996 Alfa Romeo GTV 2.0 TS

Great car to drive, good looking, was like a mini-ferrari. Ate suspension bushes and the electrics were typically Italian which led to be selling it on.

[*] 2002 Peugeot 406 HDi 90

Nice big saloon, great handling, reasonably comfortable, economical. Huge engine mount quote from mechanic, badly rusting doors, decided to change.

[*] 1999 Honda Accord Coupe 2.0i ES

Comfortable automatic. Quite thirsty on fuel but hopefully will be reasonably reliable.

[Welly]

Oh gees, this'll take an age I'll try and be quick:

1987; First car a 1976 VW Golf 1.1L - trailed by a swirl, no, fog of blue oil smoke

1988; 1982 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6L - bloody brilliant.

1990; 1986 Ford Fezza XR2 - Fantastic car.

1992; 1983 Vauxhall Cav SRi - Rare colour and a very strong performer.

1993; 1993 *brand new* Peugeot 106 Key West 1.4D

1993; 3 months after the 106, a 1990 Peugeot 405 1.9GR - mega power

1994; 1991 309 GRi - absolute shitter - had been crashed at some point and also burnt oil

1995; 1990 Ford Onion 1.6i Ghia - aquired from my Farther - low miles, in black - very reliable actually.

1996 to 2000; - A beautiful selection of Ford Escrote vans for work

2001; - 1994 Peugeot 605 STDT - intergalactic miles (and it showed)

2003; 1993 Honda Integra XSi Jap Import - bought as a write off and probably should have stayed that way really

2005; 1996 Mazda MX6 - pristine and low miles but boring car.

2006; 1999 Peugeot 406 HDi exec - lovely motor but plagued by problems

2009; 2005 Volvo S40 T5 - likes a drink, has Rock-Hard sussy - doesn't like pot holes, leaves, twigs, paper bags on the road (currently thinking it was a mistake given the fuel prices but it goes like stink).

[highlander]

[*] 1992 Renault Clio 1.4 (3-door)

First car I ever owned - very much abused by its previous keepers. 109,000 on the clock when I bought her. No power steering. No oil in the sump. Still on its original oil & air filters. No water in the expansion bottle. Brakes shot to hell. Gearbox had a cracked bearing. Only bought it to practice driving in - however, I ran out of money before I was ready to sit the test. The car failed its MOT and I sold it on for scrap value. But the fact that it was still running despite being treated like crap, and actually felt nippy and sporty, led me to want another one once I'd passed my test.


[*] 1994 Renault Clio 1.2 Panache (5-door)

God damn this thing was NOISY. Really had to struggle to have a conversation whilst at 70, and by God it took a long time to get to that speed. Reasonably comfortable, but it was hopeless for distance travel. No power steering. We decided we couldn't keep it following our first trip up to Thurso from Aberdeen - going up the Berriedale Braes (15% incline), had steam pouring out from under the bonnet. Poor little bugger. So we traded it in as part-ex on ...


[*] 1999 Peugeot 406 1.8 LX Saloon

Quiet, comfortable, good-looking car. Relaxing to drive. Compared to the 1.2 Clio, it feels incredibly powerful. Pulls itself uphill VERY well. We could have a normal conversation at motorway speeds, no shouting necessary. Excellent mile-muncher. Started with 27,000 miles on the clock, now at the 56,000 mark. Economical for a big petrol car - I got more than 560 miles to a tank once, and filled up when the fuel light came on (so still had around 5 litres of fuel left). Decided I wanted something with a bit more punch, and loved the 406 experience so much that I went and bought ...


[*] 2002 Peugeot 406 2.2 SE Coupe

For a 4-cylinder engine, the Coupe has a very punchy and aggressive sound in the lower gears, and goes remarkably quiet when cruising at 70 MPH in 5th gear at 3,100 RPM. It pulls VERY well, accelerating very quickly. Leather seats with built-in lumbar support are more comfortable than the cloth seats on the LX saloon. And, thanks to the fuel-efficient engine, I get the same range out of the same amount of fuel as the older car. I can't see myself moving on to another car for several years to come.

[sirwiggum]

Interesting about the mk1 Clios Highlander.

Mine didn't have power steering but I don't remember the steering being overly heavy either. I just remember the clutch being a heavy brute prone to stalling.

Mine was the 1.2 with the 4 speed gearbox. Had it at 80 once and noticed steam coming from under the bonnet. Got it home and the radiator cap had come loose. Got one off a scrappy down the road off a Laguna for nothing (he knew me da).

Welly - was your Orion the Zeta / early Zetec?
I suspect mine may have died at 75k because of lack of servicing. For example, the oil that was in it was way thicker than the 5w30 Ford recommend...

[waue1978]

Ok, try not to fall asleep.
1983 BMW 518
1980 BMW 323i Auto
1985 Ford Granada Ghia X 2.8i Auto
1987 Ford Escort XR3i
1983 Ford Granada Ghia X 2.8 Manual
1982 Ford Granada Ghia X 2.8 Auto
1986 BMW 525e
1986 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8 SRi
1988 Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0 SRi130
1987 BMW 520i Auto
1996 Peugeot 406 1.8 LX
1990 Vauxhall Cavalier GSi2000
1987 BMW 535i Auto
1999 Peugeot 406 2.0 GLX (D9)
1995 Peugeot 405 GTX 1.9TD
1995 Peugeot 306 S16
1995 Mercedes E280 Auto
1994 Toyota Hilux Surf 3.0TD SSR-X LTD
1999 Ford Mondeo 2.0 Ghia X Saloon (with factory ST24 kit)
1996 Ford Mondeo 1.6 LX (trade)
1991 BMW 325i Touring (trade)
1996 Peugeot 405 GLX 1.9TD Estate (trade)
1996 BMW 316iSE
1995 BMW 525iSE Auto
2000 Ford Mondeo GLX 1.8TD Estate
1995 Honda Civic 1.4 (trade)
1997 BMW 325tds SE
2000 VW Polo SE SDi (trade)
1999 BMW 520i
1998 Mercedes C240 Sport Auto
2000 Citroen Xantia HDi 90 LX
1996 Ford Galaxy 2.0 Aspen (trade)
2001 Citroen Xsara SX HDi (trade)
1998 Hyundai Coupe 2.0 SE (trade)
2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi SX
1998 BMW 523i Touring
1997 BMW 528i Touring Auto (only bought to transplant leather)
1999 Ford Mondeo Ghia X 1.8TD Estate (with self fitted ST24 kit)
1996 Citroen Saxo 1.4 VSX
1999 Mitsubishi Space Wagon 2.4GDi
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 GX Estate
2000 Vauxhall Zafira Club 1.6
1991 Mercedes 190E 2.0 Auto
2005 Ford Mondeo 1.8 Zetec
2002 Ford Mondeo TDDi LX Estate
& now I have my 2000 Peugeot 406 HDI LX Family Estate

[Welly]

Just one or two cars then

Sirwiggum - the Onion was the later 'EFi' version of the hateful CVH engine, it was a thrashy horrible sounding thing which should have had a red-line of 3000 revs for all the use it was gearboxes were very very weak - that's what killed it in the end it was a grippy old thing though and well planted

[waue1978]

Yep, just a few - & that's only since 1996 too. Miss a few of them. Was nice when I was able to have the Beemers, but the fuel cost would do my head in now. Worked it out the other day & my old 520i would cost me £600 more a year to do my 8000 miles. Mind you, the Pug is probably costing nearly that in maintenance so far...

[sirwiggum]

Welly - I did wonder if the Zeta engines fitted to early 90s Fords were prototypes of the zetecs that hadn't completed testing. At least CVH would be fairly straightforward and more reliable.

Waue1978 - My dad had one of those mk2 1985 Ford Granada 2.8i Ghia X manuals, with the X pack (front and rear spoilers, spotlights, foglights). Really looked the part, I loved it but was far too young to drive it.

[Doggy]

Well....

1972: 1966 Poxhall HA Viva, thrashed the nuts off it & it broke regularly as a result. After a clutch & 6 engine rebuilds I fitted an 'aftermarket' water temp gauge & discovered a blocked radiator. Went OK after that.
Swapped it for.....

1973: 1962 Capri, (coupe version of Ford Classic), much Barried up before I got it, (but TBH I didn't improve it any). Parked it on it's roof one night & flogged the bits for roughly twice what is was worth.

1974: 1966 vomit green minivan. Hated it with a passion. Dropped the clutch a bit quick one day & could only get 2nd & 4th afterwards. Unloaded it after about 6 weeks.

1974: 1964 Triumph 2000. Absolutely loved it - incredibly smooth, quiet, quick by the standards of the day. Died of rust the following year.

1975: 1965 Triumph 2000. Disaster, discovered a rumbly crank after a week or two, wound up scrapping it.

1975: 1965 Jaguar 3.8 S type. Absolutely marvellous, till the head gasket went......

1975: 1969 Poxhall HB Viva, (Dad's cast-off, better than walking).....

1976: 1965 Jaguar 3.8 mkII Quick, but some oil pressure would definetly have helped...

1976: 1967 Jaguar 3.4 S type. Absolutely gorgeous, despite god-awful slushmatic box. Developed more leaks than a Welsh market, then the dipstick snapped off, chopped it in for.....

1977: 1972 Truimph Dolomite 1850. Initially dead chuffed cos everything worked & it had a heater & stuff that old Jags only paid nodding attention to. Got bored after a bit.

1978: 1967 mkIII Spitfire. (temporary measure while Dolomite was recovering from an argument with a bus).

1979: 1976 Poxhall Chevette. (bought if off my bro as temporary transport so he could buy a Cavalier Coupe).

1980: 1972 TR6 - the full-cream 150 BHP business. Thought it was quick, until I tried.....

1980: 1973 Lotus Europa Special, great fun, but something of a money pit.

1981: 1972 1600 GT Capri, (needed something with more than 2 seats for the daily commute), kept the Lotus & totally abused the Capri, especially in the snow. Developed a grudging respect.

1983: 1977 Cavalier Coupe - brill.

1984: 1980 Cavalier Sportshatch - lovely, but handled like a sack of sh1t. Used it to make a new gateway for a local farmer one night.

1985: 1979 Manta - converted with 2.2 block, stage 3 head, different cam, twin webers etc. etc. Absolutely flew, but had no stopping power. Terrific fun

(Then I got married)

1990: 1983 Fiat Strada the less said....

1991: 1987 Montego 2 litre. Bought it with 91K on the clock, had it for 7.5 years, until 215K. Most reliable car I ever owned.

1998: His:1991 200SX (mid-life crisis time).
Hers: 1985 Montego 7-seater estate. (Madame started childminding).

1999: His: 1990 Montego 2 litre.
Hers: 1991 Montego 7-seater estate.

1999: His: 1991 Montego 7-seater estate. (Madame stopped childminding).
Hers: 1990 Rover 216 Gti twin cam. (For shopping).

2000: Mrs had a stroke / stopped driving so we sold the Monty.

2001: Roundabout ran out in front of the ‘Wild Rover’, so it was replaced by…

2001: 1991 Carlton GSi 3000 24V. Chipped, de-catted, big zorst etc.

2003: 1995 Omega Elite 3.0 (Manual, rare as hens teeth). Got dogs, so.....

2004: 1999 Xsara HDi 90 Estate. 4 years / 100K virtually faultless, including trips to 6 European countries.

2008: 2002 406 2.2 Exec Estate, (which you may have heard about).

Anyone still awake?

[plod]

1987 - 1970 VW Beetle
1987 - 1974 Mini 1000
1988 - 1980 Mini sprite 1100
1988 - 1978 Mini Van - i put a 1300 into it
1988 - 1966 Mini Cooper 998
1988 - 1978 Mini 1275GT
1989 - 1984 Opel Manta 1.8GT - but i converted it to run Astra 16v power on twin webbers
1992 - 1986 Ford XR4x4 - fitted it with Cosworth wheels, Cosworth grill, XR4i Bi-plane spoiler, Cosworth zorst
1994 - 1983 Vauxhall Nova 1.3SR fitted with GTE running gear
1996 - 1984 Vauxhall Carlton 2.2
1996 - 1988 Vauxhall Nova 1.3SR - ran std for a bit then fitted running gear from Nova above
1998 - 1990 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.8
2000 - 1994 Rover 620SLi
2003 - 1999 Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 Estate
2006 - 1999 Peugeot 406 HDI

Also had a couple more mini's, a 1984 Fiesta XR2, a Vauxhall Astra, maybe a couple more, but the old brain cells are struggling at mo

[steve_earwig]

Oh my gawd.
(1979) 1.3 Marina estate (totalled)
(1981) ex-polak 1.6 auto Avenger
(q-plate) ex-raf 850 mini
(1981?) 1.7 Ital estate (should have been totalled)
(1980?) VW Polio (totalled by a drunk)
(1979) 2.0 S Craptina (nicked)
(1971) Avenger Tiger (scrapped by rust)
(1973) Avenger Tiger (ditto tinworm)
(1979) 1.6 auto Avenger estate ( fiddled with engine, did over a ton)
(1974) Avenger Tiger (guess what, no spare body panels, waited 2 years for a decent shell)
(1988) BX 16 valve
(1992) BX 16 valve mk11 (wasn't as good as the first one)
(1987) 1.3 Ashtray estate (g/f learning to drive)
(1994?) 1.8 Ashtray estate (g/f got the push)
(1995) ex-polak 3.0 Senator (scrapped due to warped block)
(1991) 3.0 auto Senator (I had lots of spares )
(1998) D8 estate
(2004) D9 estate (isn't as good as the first one )

Am I meant to be listing bikes too? Ok...

(?) CB125
(1981?) CX500
(?)KLE500
(1991) TDM850

(Can you tell why I failed history?)

And my pushbike's blue ( I made it myself out of bits )

[Gary406]

1992 vauxhall cavalier 1.6 petrol (1st car)

1992 vauxhall cavalier 1.6 petrol (same as 1st car)

1995 ford fiesta 1.1 petrol

1993 vauxhall cavalier 1.8 petrol

1992 vauxhall cavalier 1.7 diesel (i spent a fortune on this car - back in my boy racer days - to old for that now)

1998 ford escort van 1.8 diesel

1995 rover 214 petrol

1994 citroen xantia 1.8 petrol

1998 ford escort 1.6 petrol

1995 ford mondeo 1.8 petrol

1999 vauxhall vectra 2.0 petrol

reason i got my 406 after all these was . i had my fare share with petrols and i didnt like them. every petrol car i owned died and ended up in scrap yard.
so i thought its time for a diesel. i knew nothing at the time about 406's so i just went for it and got the xud.

all my mates kept saying im 25 years old driving a 406 i said so what its a diesel .
isnt that a old mans car ?
never looked back . and it certainly wont be my last 406. my next car will be a 406 HDi 110. but not for a long time. im keeping the xud untill it drops.

[plod]

Forgot I had a Marina, we fitted the twin carbs from the GT onto it
Best back seats ever for a bit of jiggy jiggy

[lozz]

Mk1 escort estate,
Austin allegro,
Vw beetle,
Morris minor,
Yugo yastava,

MG maestro,
Vauxhall asta Gte,
Ford Capri,
Mk1 mondeo had of 8 of them,
Ford fiesta (Sand piper)
Ford fiesta (ghia)
Fiat panda,
fiat Marea, 20v 2.0
Alfa romeo x 3 old ones,
and amodern spider,
Range-rover vogue (lpg)
Ford galaxy x 4
Nissan serena ididnt have that long Yuck,
Mercedes advantgarde estate.

thats just a few of the ones ive had,
iget bored with cars quickly,

[rwb]

Not very interesting:
1997: B-plate Mk II Fiesta 957cc. Rusted away.
1999: E-plate Renault 5 1.4 GTX. That was fun. Though noisy.
2004: R-plate 406 1.9TD LX. Lemon.
2005: 02-plate 406 HDi (90) GLX.