Shabby main dealer cars

[XCR]

Originally Posted by Whippy

That's a lovely paint job.

Thanks.
Due to a gazillion micro-stonechips that would fill with wax residue and actually appear more noticeable, I had the bonnet and bumper fully stripped and resprayed. The rest of the panels are pretty nice save the odd mark which I'll touch in, wet sand and machine polish.
I just need a good PDR guy now to take care of 3 or 4 tiny dents and a solution to the woefully grey roofline trim. I'm thinking of dyeing it as it seems impervious to all of my products....not tried Peanut Butter yet though....

[T5R92011]

Originally Posted by S60RDesign

I'm wondering now whether to keep the Volvo and buy a cheaper fun second car instead

That's what I'd do.

Not sure how many use Facebook Marketplace on here, but that is becoming one of the more interesting ways to find a cheap car.

Don't expect any courtesy or good conversation on here though....its bottom of the ladder motoring but I quite enjoy it!

[S60RDesign]

I think a second car would provide the fun and novelty factor but I’d still have the solid Volvo for long distance trips and transporting the mountain bike etc. I found a local company who’ll refurb the diamond cut wheels for £280 so the Volvo will have a new lease of life. It’s only going to get between £4-4500 trade in so it’s a hell of a lot of car to lose for that.

I tried a Mini Coupe Cooper S today, a lot of fun and in pretty good order but missing services so will leave that one. If I find the right one could provide that B road fun, if I can find a decent dealer!

[Welton]

Originally Posted by ITSv40

It isn't just the dealers standards that have fallen, but the expectations of joe public are way off the bottom end of the scale. Apart from a few oddballs that frequent car forums and take a pride in having a clean well maintained car very few folks take any more interest in a car than they do in a washing machine.

I am old enough to remember when car ownership was something to be aspired to and it was a Sunday morning ritual to wash and polish and carry out basic servicing and checks. Nowadays with PCP and service contracts very few know how to open the bonnet and have no desire to find out.

Hey! I resemble that remark

Well put though Sir, sadly it's more about "has it got Apple Car Play" than "can I see the service history please"

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by ITSv40

I am old enough to remember when car ownership was something to be aspired to and it was a Sunday morning ritual to wash and polish and carry out basic servicing and checks.

That’s how I remember the 1970’s/80’s. I was my own motor etc but sadly due to it being a modern bus I have to rely on Volvo to fix it. However, it’s checked on a weekly basis. The cost of motors these days? Damn right I’m gunna look after it

TT

[Welton]

Originally Posted by The Thong

The cost of motors these days?

Picking up on this; cars are SO expensive now aren't they. Just the other day we were queuing outside a car dealership and I said to my Mrs "blimey look at that - that Fiesta is £16,000.00"

Been watching those car factory build vids on YouTube recently and the amount of plant and equipment they have is staggering! the 'operatives' aren't allowed to lift anything themselves so there's a piece of kit for every task - are WE paying for all this development? or are cars expensive because we demand all the techy stuff and infotainment gubbins?

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by Welton

Picking up on this; cars are SO expensive now aren't they. Just the other day we were queuing outside a car dealership and I said to my Mrs "blimey look at that - that Fiesta is £16,000.00"

Been watching those car factory build vids on YouTube recently and the amount of plant and equipment they have is staggering! the 'operatives' aren't allowed to lift anything themselves so there's a piece of kit for every task - are WE paying for all this development? or are cars expensive because we demand all the techy stuff and infotainment gubbins?

Indeed..... not quite the tin boxes that they used to be. Like somebody once said on here, we leave out in freezing temperatures, wet weather, extreme heat etc and expect them to start plus last at least ten years. Now we expect them to be full of creature comforts plus be entertainment centres etc etc and keep us safe in an accident. I think people take for granted how good modern cars really are. There was a time when mirrors, radio and a heater were optional extras.

[Whyman]

Originally Posted by The Thong

Indeed..... not quite the tin boxes that they used to be. Like somebody once said on here, we leave out in freezing temperatures, wet weather, extreme heat etc and expect them to start plus last at least ten years. Now we expect them to be full of creature comforts plus be entertainment centres etc etc and keep us safe in an accident. I think people take for granted how good modern cars really are. There was a time when mirrors, radio and a heater were optional extras.

On my first car, a 14 year old A30 I fitted a number of extras the first was a heater, then screen washers and a switched starter solenoid.

How the previous owners had managed without the heater fon14 years I will never know. Must have been very hardy in those days

[Dash300]

Originally Posted by Whyman

On my first car, a 14 year old A30 I fitted a number of extras the first was a heater, then screen washers and a switched starter solenoid.

How the previous owners had managed without the heater fon14 years I will never know. Must have been very hardy in those days

As well as a switch operated reversing lamp clamped anywhere convenient and heated rear window kits which glued to the rear window! And of course not forgetting the ubiquitous Vinyl Roof kits. Whitewall tyres anyone?

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by Dash300

As well as a switch operated reversing lamp clamped anywhere convenient and heated rear window kits which glued to the rear window! And of course not forgetting the ubiquitous Vinyl Roof kits. Whitewall tyres anyone?

You missed out the furry seat covers and the Esso tiger tail hanging off the interior mirror.😀