Morris Minor Owners Club

No... But I need a car come next monday - and I also need a car that is going to be reliable between clients. I do about 600 miles a week.

OK, so you might have to get another one AS WELL! Don't think I can get one done by tomorrow morning , but you can't ditch Hebe

Multiphonikks wrote:Do I get another minor?

Realistically no. Get a cheap eurobox. Buy autotrader (or look on-line) and get a cheap car and then sell it when Hebe is done. Not as awkward or as bad as it sounds. Ok, it's not a Minor but it gets you out of a fix!

Multiphonikks wrote:Hebe's bodwork needs some work. Putting in that much work and money (priced up my list at ESM and stopped at £590 odd) into a car which needs some new structural bits when I don't have the welding skills or the space to have another car sucks.

Well, if you like Hebe and don't want to be parted then spend the cash. Don't worry about what others think or what you are 'supposed' to do. It's your car and life, just do what gives you the most enjoyment!

Ideally, I'd get another minor and put hebe in the garage. I'd work on her and slowly restore her. (Ideally) but I don't think we have the space for three cars. See, we have one garage, and one parking space.

Trouble is that the 'new' cheap minor is probably in need of as much work as Hebe! It rarely works out like that. Can't you park car number 3 on the street?

Am I a bad person if I have to let her go?

You'll be as bad as Satan's secretary if you let her go! Don't do it. Things look a bit cruddy now, but Hebe's given you a lot of pleasure and will do in the future. It's just a bad phase.

*And please, no male comments about women getting too attached to things!*

WOMEN getting attached to things?? I can see you have never spoken to me for long periods of time! Ray was trying to get me to part with my rotten traveller last year (and this) and gave up in the end because although she's as rotten as a pear, I can't part with her (even after threats of arm breaking and shotguns! ). She's been rejected twice and almost scrapped, so I have to save her now, even if it takes me a while. I get really attached to cars which is why I have so many. You are not alone...

Ack! I don't want to ditch Hebe but the thing is I really don't have space for three cars. As PyoorKate will tell you, this stupid modern house has been designed to have as little car space as possible. There's already a car crisis in the close. I don't think I've had a day go by when someone hasn't parked in the way..

Crud... I need someone who can lend me a garage!

Don't buy the bits you need from ESM - buy them on here - or on ebay !! Just prioritise and then get on with it.

What an excellent idea! At least if I buy parts from ESM I know that if they are naff I can get replacements/and/or money back from the manufacturers!

I'm self-employed. I need a car for work - or rather, I use my car during the working day. If it were a simple case of "drive to work: Drive home" then yes, I'd be a bit less fussy. I'd probably be okay with ebay stuff, but I don't want to risk it.

BMC, You've not seen the state of some of the bits of my car. :/

Hmmm - well if it's gone too far, there is a limit to what's possible and still keep the car running. Lots of cheap wee cars out there - look for little old lady car with a full year MOT ticket. Or - buy a brand spanking new small car - like Panda/Punto/Ka - amazing bargains going at the moment - the market is DEAD. Trubble is - once you get used to the comforts of a modern car you won't want to go back to the drafty/noisey/unreliable Minor.

Oh, I beg to differ

I'm a fan of minors because they are so different to drive, and so much fun too - even when they go wrong. I'm happy to spend hours fixing her, but my contract is at risk if she breaks down during the day

The car at the moment is pretty sound in terms of "it doesn't have any holes" however, it does have layer upon layer of patch. Taking out the gearbox could possibly uncover more rusty body I don't have time to sort

But no - no fear... I won't ever get a Ka. They're horrid! (And evil!)



I maintain a minor can be used... you just have to be careful about what you buy - and Hebe has been my 'learning car"

The holes are one thing - but nothing to do with reliability - that's just down to the condition of the mechanical bits ! What's so wrong with the gearbox that it needs changing ?

bmcecosse wrote:The holes are one thing - but nothing to do with reliability - that's just down to the condition of the mechanical bits ! What's so wrong with the gearbox that it needs changing ?

Well, where to start...

First is starting to go 'a-wondering'. She sometimes doesn't let me engange first any more (even if I do the old trick of going back into second first)

Synchro is going on second.

The punger rattles widly between 50 and 60 mph in fourth. That's solved by double-de-clutching, but that's not particularly plesant to do on the M4 in the morning rush-hour now is it?

When it boils down to it (I have a spare gearbox) it's better to take out the gearbox now when I'm thinking of doing the engine than it is to wait and then have to go through the hassle of fitting it later on.

You're right - Holes don't effect reliability, but if I'm going to spend a lot on new bits I want them to go on a sound car! What's the point of putting on a whole lot of bits to make the car better mechanically if I'm going to have to take them all off to do bodywork!

For 600 miles a week on a job where your contract is threatened if you are always breaking down.... I wouldn't drive an old car of any make or model! For that kind of mileage, I'd use a new-ish modern disposable car, rather than use all my time and disposable income re-fixing a tired old car.
That's just my opinion (you asked for opinions so please don't blame me! ). When you have a disposable car for the everyday high mileage then you may end up with far more time to fix Hebe.
Park the disposable car in the next street! The few minutes of walking will be offset from the many hours per week you'll save by driving something quicker.

Personally I don't think the KA is horrid - they are ideal for the Sainsburys run as they are soooo easy to drive and park, and they even go round corners VERY well (useful for when the driver was chatting on her phone and forgot to slow down for the corner). Needless to say I think they're very good cars for certain uses/drivers however for high miles you want something designed for the motorway.
My Volvo (turbo) was the best car I had for long journeys - I used to do a 560 mile journey (with just a petrol stop) and could get out the other end feeling fresh. When I'd done it in the Montego it took a lot longer and I finished the journey needing a day to recover!

To be honest Ray, I think if I were to get a modern car it'd be a Honda I'm a bit of a Honda snob these days

And yeah, I asked for opinions. I do value them all

I had a 99 T Civic 1.5VTi that went like the clappers. If it had 4 doors I would still have it! Hondas are indestructable, just dont crash it, i pranged mine and a new bonnet cost £1200!!!!!! (that was sprayed and fitted) a new bumper at £600 and various other odds and sods. on the other hand I do love the focus I got to replace it. Modern cars have their uses and if you need a motorway cruser then a 1.4 upwards honda would do it nicely. My Brother swears by VWs as he has a MK2 Golf GTI on 320k which is still running perfectly. (You can also pick up a mk2 golf for peanuts) and I dont care what modern car I have as long as it starts first time every time and gets atleast 25mpg.
Something tells me I spend too much time with cars.

If I was going to get a modern car, it would be a Moggy pick-up with a K series in it

That can be arranged Sir!!!

...and, pending the large, unexpected inheritance it will be

Well Andrew, d'you fancy a spin some time

Nikki

I think I've already answered that but YEEEEEEEEEES!