OV9

Carlos wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 2:22 pm I'm too tight to be financing a car i can't use

That is a jolly good point - I know I swapped cars exactly as lockdown started for other reasons, but I'm so pleased I terminated my Volvo lease early.

I'm getting an urge for a Panda 4x4 "Cross". I don't think the snow around here has helped

Insurance renewal time for our 1990 MX5.

A whopping £106 fully comp for myself and Mrs McSwede. Happy days!!

John wrote: Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:32 pm I'm getting an urge for a Panda 4x4 "Cross". I don't think the snow around here has helped

Just get some snow tyres for the MX5. Brilliant fun and no 4x4 required

The mx5 went last year, I really should change my profile pic. Currently driving a RWD Mercedes Vito hence the yearning for traction

The Boxster is feeling sad and under-used as a combination of weather, lockdown and being a second car. I've not driven it in a fortnight and it felt damp inside, I think from slow ingress from around the doors. I also noticed that the roof wouldn't lower when I tried to take it down, I suspect simply the switch having gone as there is zero response from it rather than any error message.

I've little doubt that dampness and switch failure are related. A bit of a poke around the fora suggests that the microswitch which senses the roof catch is undone is prone to failure.

Leaves me in a bit of a quandary of what to do but I've decided to put it under the cover for a week as an experiment to see if that helps with damp but also take it for a run at least once a week. I'll give Northway a call about the roof but obviously there is no immediate urgency.

Plenty folks use those silica- gel bags that you stick in the microwave once a week until the dot turns red or something - to show they are dry again and ready for re-use?

All the times I’ve used a cover, although it’s kept dirt off nicely, it’s always trapped moisture between cover & car. Sometimes quite a lot. I’m not convinced outdoor covers are really a good idea.

Here’s the mould in the spare compact after a couple of months

mik wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:50 am Plenty folks use those silica- gel bags that you stick in the microwave once a week until the dot turns red or something - to show they are dry again and ready for re-use?

That is a great idea! Ta. I will investigate.

Sundayjumper wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:50 am All the times I’ve used a cover, although it’s kept dirt off nicely, it’s always trapped moisture between cover & car. Sometimes quite a lot. I’m not convinced outdoor covers are really a good idea.

Yeah, that was my concern as well. Especially as it's so cold and damp at the moment. I did *not* need to see the piccy of the compact there

mik wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:50 am Plenty folks use those silica- gel bags that you stick in the microwave once a week until the dot turns red or something - to show they are dry again and ready for re-use?

Bought. Ta!

Sounds like my experience of having a second car.

- if you have to move the other car to get it out, you won't bother.
- if you need some practicality, like I always did with weekend activities, you won't bother.
- if it costs loads more to run and you're doing dull journeys - you won't bother.
- etc

For that one perfect journey - is it worth it? I much prefer the one all rounder option. (Though I do still consider the van/pickup option as my weekend car, sporty car weekday idea).

Explosive Newt wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:06 am

mik wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:50 am Plenty folks use those silica- gel bags that you stick in the microwave once a week until the dot turns red or something - to show they are dry again and ready for re-use?

Bought. Ta!

Rich B wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:08 am Sounds like my experience of having a second car.

- if you have to move the other car to get it out, you won't bother.
- if you need some practicality, like I always did with weekend activities, you won't bother.
- if it costs loads more to run and you're doing dull journeys - you won't bother.
- etc

For that one perfect journey - is it worth it? I much prefer the one all rounder option. (Though I do still consider the van/pickup option as my weekend car, sporty car weekday idea).

Yes. This is what I am gradually zeroing in on, although the issue is when I do drive the Porker, I remember why I have it and forget about trading in the two to make one. And all tends to get forgiven in summer though.

Ideally though, I would have one car that is economical and easy on the motorway, but also rewards on the back roads...

Explosive Newt wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:52 am Ideally though, I would have one car that is economical and easy on the motorway, but also rewards on the back roads...

Have you considered some sort of Porsche?

F40?

mik wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:27 pmF40?

Do they do a mild hybrid version?

Yes - battery power, but only available at the start of each run cycle.

mik wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:40 pm start of each run cycle.

And swim. Make it a full triathlon.

Jobbo wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 12:13 pm

Explosive Newt wrote: Thu Jan 21, 2021 11:52 am Ideally though, I would have one car that is economical and easy on the motorway, but also rewards on the back roads...

Have you considered some sort of Porsche?

Do you know it turns out you can get a Vantage for circa £30k.