First car? - Page 2

**touringlegend** · 17 Oct 2002, 22:23 (Ref:406896)

MG!

Good choice!

My dad and I bought a classic MG 1300, but it's impossible to get a reasonable quote for it, as I am 17 (and considering that it won't be used everyday, perhaps only every 2nd weekend).

Hobson · 18 Oct 2002, 06:39 (Ref:407015)

The best I've got is £1400, so I'm going to look at joining a club.

I've found out whats wrong with the radio, its the arial which has snapped. Easy job to repair?

It needs a new boot lock too, and the drivers one is starting to turn when you turn the key.........

One other thing, the mileage says 83k, but theres no papers to confrim it. Its an E-reg, and the interior is in good condition (apart from the headlining and broken sunroof), so is 83k reasonable for this car/age?

Maisie · 18 Oct 2002, 10:18 (Ref:407093)

Perfectly reasonable. And I believe I have a boot lock in the garage somewhere...

Hobson · 21 Oct 2002, 06:30 (Ref:409029)

Ok, the boot locks fixed, just needed WD40 and lots of swearing!

Almost finished the exhaust too. Needs another evening to sort the mounts. And the sunroofs fixed.

One question. I have cross-spoke alloys (15ins), what size tyres for them? I have three 185 tyres and one 195.

Maisie · 21 Oct 2002, 14:13 (Ref:409278)

Hobson,

I've got 195/50s on my X-spokes, but then mine are the 6in wide Montego spec ones rather than the 5.5in wheels usually fitted to the Maestro, so maybe 185s would be better on yours. Check with a reputable tyre fitting company - they should have charts of best fit. I've also got a set of Avon ZV1s on mine - reasonably cheap, and grip like anything, as well as looking good - I'd heartily recommend them.

Hobson · 22 Oct 2002, 06:40 (Ref:409943)

Cheers Maisie, its 185s for me...........

Hobson · 28 Oct 2002, 10:12 (Ref:415313)

It goes in for its MoT this week, hope it passes................

I want to change the head unit on the stereo to a CD player. How do I take out the old one? My Haynes manual says I need 2, kind of U-shaped hooks to pull it out. Where do I get them from?

Pictures of 'the beast' soon!

Dave Brand · 28 Oct 2002, 10:30 (Ref:415321)

Quote:

Originally posted by Hobson
How do I take out the old one? My Haynes manual says I need 2, kind of U-shaped hooks to pull it out. Where do I get them from?

Assuming it's a standard type of fitting, all they do is push back the locking tabs on the unit. You can make your own tools. Just find some wire as close as possible in diameter to the holes in the unit - old wire coat hangers are ideal - then file the ends to a V shape to allow them to be pushed easily into the holes. Push the wire into the holes in the head unit & you'll feel the locking tabs; a little bit of sideways pressure may be needed to release the tabs if your wire isn't exactly the right diameter, so it will probably be easier to release one side at a time rather then trying to do both at once.

Maisie · 28 Oct 2002, 11:33 (Ref:415369)

Halfords sell the removal tools. Is yours a Philips stereo as originally, and if so, are you looking for a new home for it?

Hobson · 28 Oct 2002, 13:19 (Ref:415438)

Thanks Dave, I might try that.

Maisie: it is the standard Philips one, I may let it go.......for the right price!

Maisie · 28 Oct 2002, 13:34 (Ref:415442)

**touringlegend** · 28 Oct 2002, 20:06 (Ref:415798)

Or try some allan (sp?) keys in those holes, it works in a Ford, piece of s...

Hobson · 12 Nov 2002, 17:23 (Ref:427140)

Rain and dark skies spoilt the pics, but as the car isn't stored near me, these are the best I can do to the moment:

Hobson · 12 Nov 2002, 17:27 (Ref:427142)

Back:

Hobson · 12 Nov 2002, 17:28 (Ref:427144)

Heres the radio:

Hobson · 12 Nov 2002, 17:30 (Ref:427147)

Cracked bumper. The front right part of the splitter is not attached.

Hobson · 12 Nov 2002, 17:31 (Ref:427150)

The worst of the dreaded rust!

Hobson · 12 Nov 2002, 17:32 (Ref:427153)

Last one, its the hole in the headlining:

Maisie · 12 Nov 2002, 21:11 (Ref:427304)

Well Hobson, if that's the worst rust you have to deal with, you're a lucky bloke indeed! Should be easy enough to deal with! I'd recommend getting a new headlining or investigating local car trimmers to see if they can re-cover it for you.

And when you change the radio, consider me very interested in the one you've got in now!

Hobson · 13 Nov 2002, 07:51 (Ref:427554)

That rust is also on the back of that arch, and along the bootlid. My Dad reckons it might need welding there to get it through its MoT.

For the moment, I'm going to use Duck Tape to sort the headlining out, I'm not going for concours yet.

And I can't afford to replace the standard head unit, so it'll have to stay there until I get a CD unit.

Hobson · 13 Nov 2002, 07:53 (Ref:427556)

BTW, is the standard head unit sought after, or worth something?

Maisie · 13 Nov 2002, 10:17 (Ref:427638)

Not that I know of, it's just that mine died on me and I'm after an authentic replacement!

UkF1 Lad · 15 Nov 2002, 13:59 (Ref:429214)

What do you lot reckon on Pug 205 GTi's???? I have just bought one see, a 1.6. It's actually pretty quick! I just wondered if any of you have owned one? Is it me or do they just not idle properly. Anyone know what that might be?

Oh yeah I also have a Vauxhall Nova 1.4sr which I adore. Both cars are 100% standard and in very good nick! Which should I keep???

Thanks

garcon · 15 Nov 2002, 14:06 (Ref:429224)

Used to love the 205 GTi. Never owned one, but had a go in a couple, 1.6 and 1.9.

A friend used to have a 1.6. If it's in good nick, should be a good car, and I'd certainly keep in preference to the Nova!

You might get the usual French gremlins - electrics and such, but find a decent specialist and you won't go far wrong.

Dave Brand · 15 Nov 2002, 14:20 (Ref:429239)

Quote:

Originally posted by UkF1 Lad
What do you lot reckon on Pug 205 GTi's???? I have just bought one see, a 1.6. It's actually pretty quick! I just wondered if any of you have owned one?

I've never owned one, but I've got its big brother, a 405SRi - I've had that for over ten years, so you could say I'm happy with it!

Quote:

Is it me or do they just not idle properly. Anyone know what that might be?

It's a common problem - the simple cure is to tweak the idle speed adjusting screw to increase the idle speed a couple of hundred rpm above the specified setting.

Quote:

Oh yeah I also have a Vauxhall Nova 1.4sr which I adore. Both cars are 100% standard and in very good nick! Which should I keep???

There's a choice?

A mediocre little rot-box or a 205? Guess which I'd keep!