Hi Guys

Father-in-Law recently passed away & left his treasured '96 Astra 1.6 to my 16 yr old son.

One option is for me & SWMBO to run it in addittion to our current cars until Scott turns 17 & then make him the Registered Keeper & let him run it as Grandad would have wished.

The other option I'm looking at is to store it until next Summer & then hand it over. May be able to get it in the Garage, may have to store it on the Drive

Anyone got any advice, hints, tips on how to lay the vehicle up for the next 9 months ??

Thanks

John

don't leave the brakes on! otherwise they'll stick. Chock it up with bricks or something so it's not going to roll anywhere. I know the brakes will stick if you leave the brakes on.

If I were you I'd buy one of those protective covers if you're leaving it outside to protect it from the elements.

I think people on here may suggest starting it up for 5-10 minutes every month or so, but I'm not sure how often you'd have to do this.

Not too sure about the more technical stuff to be honest!

As a 23 y/o I'd also check the insurance costs of putting a 17 y/o onto insurance for a 1.6... could be quite expensive, my first car was a 1.4 escort though, and insurance wasn't too bad. Just something extra to consider.

HTH.

A good wash and polish, under cover ( Garage ) with a cover on. roll it out now and then, open all doors to get some clean air flowing through to stop it smelling damp. Run engine for a while keeping eye on oil/water levels

First off - I'd run it. Storing cars is a nightmare. I tried to store my own 1967 legacy car which was perfect when it went away for 3 years and it came out in a right old state. I think everything that could leak had, was or was about to. Anything made of rubber had dried out and stuff you'd never think of had siezed. Heater levers, bushes, shocks, you name it, they all had to be replaced. And we took some very serious advice before we laid the car up on axle stands. So, if it's at all possible, keep running it.

If not, empty out all the oil and put storage oil in. Engine and gearbox. Differentials too if they are separate. Don't leave it on it's wheels, you need to get it up on axle stands or a lift. Spray silicone onto anything rubber and grease everything that may ever have had a moving part in it eg. door hinges, boot and bonnet hinges, locks, catches, linkages - everything that moves! Leave the windows down if you're storing it indoors as they have a nasty habit of welding themselves onto the rubbers.

I'm not sure on the use of covers. A dust sheet, maybe, but not a fitted elasticated cover as they rub hideously - even the flock lined ones.

Wax it heavily with something like Collinite 476S and don't rub it off after it sets. Do the door shuts and the inside of the engine bay and boot and anything else with exposed metal on it.

I'm sure there are 100 things more you could do but I can't remember right now. If at all possible, run it!

Run it if at all possible. It will prove cheaper than replacing all the bits that will seize up due to non use.

After readingall the above , i would say use it then transfer ownership.

Thanks everyone;

SWIMBO & her Sis are going to run it as Grandma's Taxi as we are spending a lot of time keeping an eye on Gran until things settle down

Cheers

John

Edited 7 October, 201015 yr by cavdad

Hi Guys

Father-in-Law recently passed away & left his treasured '96 Astra 1.6 to my 16 yr old son.

One option is for me & SWMBO to run it in addittion to our current cars until Scott turns 17 & then make him the Registered Keeper & let him run it as Grandad would have wished.

The other option I'm looking at is to store it until next Summer & then hand it over. May be able to get it in the Garage, may have to store it on the Drive

Anyone got any advice, hints, tips on how to lay the vehicle up for the next 9 months ??

Thanks

John

If it's in decent nick and low mileage, these cars can go for decent money. Neighbour's 1.6 Auto Astra on a similar plate went for more than the asking price. I think he got £800+. That was an N plate in OK nick but with reasonably low miles... 40-60K.

If you can't store it in the garage, I'd sell it unless you plan to run it part time and/or do it up for next summer. If it's taxed and MOT'd I'd consider using it for a little whil just to see if it's reliable and find any bugs that need ironing out.

Storing it:

Make sure you have the documentation including the radio activation code.

If it's to be standing on its wheels, pump the tyres up to say 25% higher than normal but not higher than say 36-38PSI.

Store it in the garage and preferably also under a car cover. To stop spider crap and anything else dropping on it.

Disconnect the battery earth terminal.

J.