My Octy Vrs going soon...

[rob1sp]

Well after having the car up for sale for the past few weeks I have finally found a buyer, guy from Dublin is coming up to get the car at the end of the month, which means that in the meantime I can start looking for something else. Have had the idea of moving onto something Japanese for the past few months, in particular have always liked gen 3 Toyota Celica GT-Fours, ever since the days of playing Sega Rally in the arcades! It was going to be a Lancia Delta Integrale but reliability and rust is a bit of an issue I'm sure you'll agree, whereas the Celica is renowned for having bulletproof engines and build quality, the only weak spot being a suspension part up front that can wear, and is costly to have replaced. Insurance for a '94 GT4 is 50 quid less than for the Octy, although it likes juice, with most owners reckoning on an mpg of 20-28. I reckon ownership isn't going to be too bad unless something goes wrong. Am I doing the right thing, I can't make up my mind as to whether the car is going to be enjoyable or am I going to worry about something going wrong every time I drive it, my heart is saying go for it, my head is saying get a Citroen Xsara diesel and buy a psp and some other bits and bobs with whats left and just be content in that, but then there would that nagging feeling saying I missed out on a classic rally beast, Advice Please!!!

[skinnyman]

Only you can decide really. I have tried the sensible option for a while now and again, but after a few months you want something sporty again. I managed to convince myself that I was content with a sensible underpowered car for six months. Every time a nice car went past, my wife would look at me and just knew I was crying inside, although I pretended to be happy with 100bhp. PSPs and Xboxes are fine for certain things, but nothing beats getting into a nice car and going for a drive.

A Citroen diesel would not really cut the mustard for me, (I had one of those too for a bit), so think what you really want and go for it. Life is short. Plus if the Toyota costs loads to run, sell it and get the Citroen - at least you will have owned one.

Cheers.

[TaviaRS]

If it something you've got to do, JFDI - you will regret otherwise. At least if you do it and regret it you can flog it and buy something sensible, pass it up and you'll keep looking back and going "what if....." You get one shot at life, enjoy it whilst it lasts.

[ScoobyChris]

What Jon says!

Chris

[mattbeef]

Do it mate, If you only own it for 6 months then so what. Least you can say did it and owned one, that way you will never have that what if fealing

[rob1sp]

the GF talked sense to me last night about getting a GT-four, I'd tried to keep shtum about it around her cos I knew she would start moaning, but last night I really was in a quandry and decided to spill the beans. Needless to say she dusted off the old calculator and started performing some algorithms worthy of Einstein, before coming to the conclusion that 'You're talking ******** about how much money you'll spend on running that thing, it'll bankrupt you'. It was at this point that I gave up thinking it was a good idea and emailed the guy with the car to say I'm not taking it. Needless to say he isn't very happy. I can feel the regret flooding thru my body like a bad dose of chinse flu (or would Japanes flu be more apt), not sure I've done the right thing at all, bloomin' girlfriends and their rational points of view, can't live with 'em, can't import cars with 'em either...

[rob1sp]

Well, as usual I have completely ignored any advice I have been given by anyone apart from the GF, she rules with an iron fist, sufficed to say I have purchased a 2nd hand car, but not exactly what I was hoping for. Saying that, I am extremely happy with it, its a.... wait for it... Volvo!!! A '96 460 1.8ES model in Dark green, kind of like VW Oak Green, 18,000 (yes 18,000) miles on the clock, in excellent condition, just a couple of scratches on the paintwork here and there but should polish out, unmarked alloys, all electrics working, 6mths MOT and tax for i reckon a bargain price that shall not be disclosed. I'm looking forward to getting it on the road, its a complete change from the briskness of the octy, much more sedate. I love the colour, and with a few modifications here and there (maybe some bigger alloys, lowered suspension and a couple of go faster stickers thereabouts) it should hopefully do me for a while to come. Looking at the service schedule, it had one done at 2,000 miles, back in September 1997!?! and will be due its next at 20K, so reckon I'll get it done as soon as possible, although looking around the engine and exhaust etc. everything is pretty much brand new, just lost its sheen over time, unbelievable condition, apparently it was only ever driven to church on a Sunday, and maybe a couple of trips out of a weekend. Overall well chuffed with it, just have to plan ahead a bit more when attempting overtaking maneouvres. Pics to follow...

[Goochie]

So, you were worried that the GT4 wouldnt be enjoyable - yet you bought a Volvo :confused:

[rob1sp]

Yeah I know, complete turn-around, the Volvo won't be 'fun' to drive, especially when attempting to overtake, but I am actually looking forward to driving it, plus I've got more money left over than previously planned so I can spend it on something nice ( I think this is the part of the plan the GF liked best, more fool her!!!) And with the low miles on it, it will hopefully last me for a while...