The Tiv, the Paxo, the Hydraulic donkey and the Fezza
Discussion
Hadn't noticed this forum before, so thought I'd contribute. Me and my girlfriend currently run 4 cars....
The Fiesta Zetec S
(Don't judge, the fog lights are purely for the photo!)
Bought as a runabout by me a couple of weeks ago as having driven one before I was amazed by the composure and grip for a small car. Current tweaks are de-tangoed headlamps, I've painted the grille black, fitted clear repeaters plus a Ford gearknob. Not the quickest thing going but its good on fuel and cheap to run, although doesn't seem as mechanically reliable as the Saxo we have. But then it has air con! One thing that bugs me about the car is the live rear axle suspension though. Everyone else had moved on to independant rear suspension by 2000, why hadn't Ford?
The Saxo VTR
(waits for the "chav" comments!)
My girlfriend's Saxo was bought by her about 4.5years ago. There have been occasions where the words "bored of it" have sprung to light, but the fact that it's such a reliable little car have argued it to stay. We call it 'old reliable', because it's not exactly exciting performance-wise, and the engines a bit of a tractor unit, but it just keeps going while delivering good economy. Current mods include VTS alloys, Piper decat and backbox, headlamp inserts have been painted black and it's clearly lowered. It's actually sitting way lower than we want, so plans are afoot to inject some money into the old girl and raise the front end while fitting new shocks. It's one of a pair of TV cars we oddly have, as it was featured on 'Chris Barrie's Massive Speed' (next to a highly modified purple Saxo) which does the rounds on Ch5 and the Discovery channels.
The BX Valver
The oddest dream car ever....I wanted one of these when I walked past a brand new black one on the way to school. I was growing up in a Citroen environment when I clapped my eyes on it! Ever since then I wanted one never having driven one or actually ever going in one. In 2004, I got my wish and bought the following car for the princely sum of £770. It must be the only time someone has ever paid MORE than the listed price too as it was up for £750 but I haggled to get the tax too. It was the only one for sale at the time and I knew if I didn't get it, I'd probably give up looking!
Since then it's been on and off the road. I recently used it as an everyday drive, but the fuel prices killed that idea off (it averages 25mpg!). Good fun pushing Audi's and Jag's around on the M27 in the mornings though!
The car is fairly original, save for a green induction system, a Pug Sport ECU chip and some fancy leads and plugs. It also has a leather interior, which is fairly rare (possibly because it's s
te?!) The engine is the unit as used in the 405 Mi16. This is the other half of the telly featured cars, as it was shown on the Used Car Roadshow which is a sort of low-rent Men & Motors typre programe with Jason Dawe (ex-Top Gear) and Penny Mallory (ex-Driven/other forgettable shows).
BX 16v's are frequently chopped up to make 205 GTi's faster, but the best part of the car is not the engine....its the suspension. Tight, twisty bends make a laughing stock of the car, but on flowing A-roads with a the usual unsettled surface, the car is a revelation! The best bit is that most people haven't heard of it, or just jump on the "knock it it's French" or "the suspension always goes wrong" bandwagons. Makes having fun with people all the more entertaining!
Even made a video for Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYhU7ArgD9Y
The Chim 400
Purchased in November 2007, my g/f and I always lusted after a TVR. Her dad is on his third and she caught the bug early! I always liked the cars, but never really caught the bug until I went in one.
The car has gone against pretty much every single TVR stereotype going. Since purchase, it's been very reliable with the only issue a dodgey clutch....turns out it's one the original having covered 80k miles! I can forgive it that! It doesn't get hot and starts first time every time. The levels of grip are impressive and the car feels solid and planted. Build quality is obviously poor, although feels German compared with an Elise!
It's going in for the clutch tomorrow, and then I'll be giving it a thorough servicing shortly after. The only real let down on the car is the paintwork....someone has painted it quickly and cheaply in the past, and then tried to polish it intensely to get a shine. The shine is actually good, except for the parts where it's burnt the paint!!
Overall it's proving everything we wanted. Even the insurance is cheap, and we're only 23/24 years old!
And thats about it for now! Other cars on the wanted list include a Triumph TR6, a '60's Lotus Elan, a Citroen DS, a Gordon Keeble GK1 and a Honda S2000. Oh, and a track car in the near future hopefully, possible an AX GT, an MG Metro or a possible Xantia Activa project. All these are funds permitting, which currently, they don't
Cheers!
The Fiesta Zetec S
(Don't judge, the fog lights are purely for the photo!)
Bought as a runabout by me a couple of weeks ago as having driven one before I was amazed by the composure and grip for a small car. Current tweaks are de-tangoed headlamps, I've painted the grille black, fitted clear repeaters plus a Ford gearknob. Not the quickest thing going but its good on fuel and cheap to run, although doesn't seem as mechanically reliable as the Saxo we have. But then it has air con! One thing that bugs me about the car is the live rear axle suspension though. Everyone else had moved on to independant rear suspension by 2000, why hadn't Ford?
The Saxo VTR
(waits for the "chav" comments!)
My girlfriend's Saxo was bought by her about 4.5years ago. There have been occasions where the words "bored of it" have sprung to light, but the fact that it's such a reliable little car have argued it to stay. We call it 'old reliable', because it's not exactly exciting performance-wise, and the engines a bit of a tractor unit, but it just keeps going while delivering good economy. Current mods include VTS alloys, Piper decat and backbox, headlamp inserts have been painted black and it's clearly lowered. It's actually sitting way lower than we want, so plans are afoot to inject some money into the old girl and raise the front end while fitting new shocks. It's one of a pair of TV cars we oddly have, as it was featured on 'Chris Barrie's Massive Speed' (next to a highly modified purple Saxo) which does the rounds on Ch5 and the Discovery channels.
The BX Valver
The oddest dream car ever....I wanted one of these when I walked past a brand new black one on the way to school. I was growing up in a Citroen environment when I clapped my eyes on it! Ever since then I wanted one never having driven one or actually ever going in one. In 2004, I got my wish and bought the following car for the princely sum of £770. It must be the only time someone has ever paid MORE than the listed price too as it was up for £750 but I haggled to get the tax too. It was the only one for sale at the time and I knew if I didn't get it, I'd probably give up looking!
Since then it's been on and off the road. I recently used it as an everyday drive, but the fuel prices killed that idea off (it averages 25mpg!). Good fun pushing Audi's and Jag's around on the M27 in the mornings though!
The car is fairly original, save for a green induction system, a Pug Sport ECU chip and some fancy leads and plugs. It also has a leather interior, which is fairly rare (possibly because it's s
te?!) The engine is the unit as used in the 405 Mi16. This is the other half of the telly featured cars, as it was shown on the Used Car Roadshow which is a sort of low-rent Men & Motors typre programe with Jason Dawe (ex-Top Gear) and Penny Mallory (ex-Driven/other forgettable shows).BX 16v's are frequently chopped up to make 205 GTi's faster, but the best part of the car is not the engine....its the suspension. Tight, twisty bends make a laughing stock of the car, but on flowing A-roads with a the usual unsettled surface, the car is a revelation! The best bit is that most people haven't heard of it, or just jump on the "knock it it's French" or "the suspension always goes wrong" bandwagons. Makes having fun with people all the more entertaining!
Even made a video for Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYhU7ArgD9Y
The Chim 400
Purchased in November 2007, my g/f and I always lusted after a TVR. Her dad is on his third and she caught the bug early! I always liked the cars, but never really caught the bug until I went in one.
The car has gone against pretty much every single TVR stereotype going. Since purchase, it's been very reliable with the only issue a dodgey clutch....turns out it's one the original having covered 80k miles! I can forgive it that! It doesn't get hot and starts first time every time. The levels of grip are impressive and the car feels solid and planted. Build quality is obviously poor, although feels German compared with an Elise!
It's going in for the clutch tomorrow, and then I'll be giving it a thorough servicing shortly after. The only real let down on the car is the paintwork....someone has painted it quickly and cheaply in the past, and then tried to polish it intensely to get a shine. The shine is actually good, except for the parts where it's burnt the paint!!
Overall it's proving everything we wanted. Even the insurance is cheap, and we're only 23/24 years old!
And thats about it for now! Other cars on the wanted list include a Triumph TR6, a '60's Lotus Elan, a Citroen DS, a Gordon Keeble GK1 and a Honda S2000. Oh, and a track car in the near future hopefully, possible an AX GT, an MG Metro or a possible Xantia Activa project. All these are funds permitting, which currently, they don't
Cheers!
Edited by Kitchski on Sunday 6th April 18:42
Edited by Kitchski on Sunday 6th April 18:44
Well out of your cars it'll be the BX for me.
A friend has one that he bought when he was 18. 10 years on he's still got it (was laid up for 9 years!) and it's a revealation. It'll eat Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and Astra GTE's of the era for breakfast. It rides well, has ABS. His also has aircon but does without the leather. Massively underated cars and a crying shame to see them give up their engines for 205's.
If you ever consider selling the Citroen please send me an email through my profile!
A friend has one that he bought when he was 18. 10 years on he's still got it (was laid up for 9 years!) and it's a revealation. It'll eat Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and Astra GTE's of the era for breakfast. It rides well, has ABS. His also has aircon but does without the leather. Massively underated cars and a crying shame to see them give up their engines for 205's.
If you ever consider selling the Citroen please send me an email through my profile!
Fezza: Fiesta. Wasn't trying to mislead anyone into thinking I had a Ferrari :P
Neither of us are well paid to be honest. I work in a warehouse, my girlfriend is in sales admin, although she does have a degree....just no where to put it to use yet. In reality, the Chim costs far, far less than you might imagine. It was at the cheaper end of the market and went against all the no-no's issued by most people, but has proven itself worthy. The insurance is around £550 a year with Hagerty on a limited miles classic policy, but it was around £850 on a standard policy with Elephant IIRC. Thats taking into account my less than spotless licence too! Ironically, we got cheaper quotes on 5.0 Chims and Griffs. Amazingly, the Tamora's were quoting £100 a year less, even though they're heaps quicker!! I guess it just goes on the number of claims they recieve....no doubt the 4.0 Chimaera is the most common TVR on the road, and for that the highest risk.
Its basically a loan smaller than what most people take out on a nearly new sensible car, a classic policy and two small cheap cars to use daily. It works out that the Chimaera costs me around £80 a month all in except fuel (my g/f pays the same), and that obviously varies on how often the sun shines!
Neither of us are well paid to be honest. I work in a warehouse, my girlfriend is in sales admin, although she does have a degree....just no where to put it to use yet. In reality, the Chim costs far, far less than you might imagine. It was at the cheaper end of the market and went against all the no-no's issued by most people, but has proven itself worthy. The insurance is around £550 a year with Hagerty on a limited miles classic policy, but it was around £850 on a standard policy with Elephant IIRC. Thats taking into account my less than spotless licence too! Ironically, we got cheaper quotes on 5.0 Chims and Griffs. Amazingly, the Tamora's were quoting £100 a year less, even though they're heaps quicker!! I guess it just goes on the number of claims they recieve....no doubt the 4.0 Chimaera is the most common TVR on the road, and for that the highest risk.
Its basically a loan smaller than what most people take out on a nearly new sensible car, a classic policy and two small cheap cars to use daily. It works out that the Chimaera costs me around £80 a month all in except fuel (my g/f pays the same), and that obviously varies on how often the sun shines!
MJK 24 said:
Well out of your cars it'll be the BX for me.
A friend has one that he bought when he was 18. 10 years on he's still got it (was laid up for 9 years!) and it's a revealation. It'll eat Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and Astra GTE's of the era for breakfast. It rides well, has ABS. His also has aircon but does without the leather. Massively underated cars and a crying shame to see them give up their engines for 205's.
If you ever consider selling the Citroen please send me an email through my profile!
I'll never sell the old tat-wagon (you wouldn't want it, it really is a heap!) but I often come into contact with cheap, good examples so I'll drop you a line if anything pops up. Had a black one for £100 a year or two ago which was great mechanically. A lick of paint and it would have been excellent.A friend has one that he bought when he was 18. 10 years on he's still got it (was laid up for 9 years!) and it's a revealation. It'll eat Mk2 Golf GTi 16v and Astra GTE's of the era for breakfast. It rides well, has ABS. His also has aircon but does without the leather. Massively underated cars and a crying shame to see them give up their engines for 205's.
If you ever consider selling the Citroen please send me an email through my profile!
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