My First Bargain (midi) Barge
Discussion
Decided that I should run two cars - keep my Mazda for high days and holidays, and look for something waterproof, quiet, cheap, solid, refined and practical for bumming about in.
Looked at a few potentials, picked ths up on Saturday. Only done a hundred odd miles so far, but I love it.
A 1992, B4 platform Audi 80. 2 litre 8 valve, crystal silver. Its a base model I guess, so velour seats, leccy windows and mirrors, steel wheels. 80k miles, FSH. Long MOT too. Dash and seats are lovely, very comfy, 7 dashboard vents!? Very German - big fat buttons, black, solid, doors go 'thunk'.
Was very grubby inside and out, given it a quick vac and rinse off (probably nearly doubled its value in one afternoon!) and its much more presentable now.
Bearing in mind my frame of reference is a tiny Eunos roadster, with noisy exhaust, stiff springs and dampers, and electric responses, Its really quite a revelation.
Maybe not big enough to be a full PH bargain barge, but its along the right lines.
Absolutely smooth as anything, no knocks or bangs, not a single squeak or rattle. And it feels enormous - I reckon it must be bigger than the A4 that followed it. Really high up too. Big balloon 65 profile tyres means its rides beautfifully, and the dampers and bushes must be in quite good nick. Steering and clutch is very light, gearbox feels like stirring a bucket of honey with a screwdriver compared with the rifle-bolt short throw mazda. Took a bit of getting used to.
Its not going to win any races, but it sat at .8 leptons last night so so easily, with no wind noise and just a very faint 'thrum' of an engine.
I love it. barging is the future.
Only faults are the tax is out this week, and its always a ballache when that happens trying to do it while the DVLA fanny about, and my insurance company take a month to put a certificate in the post etc.
And the trackings been done by someone too lazy to adjsut both sides equally, so the steering wheels on wonky.
I even found that missing Audi badge from the wing in the glovebox.
Other than that - spot on for £550.
ETA - better, non camera-phone photos tonight!
Looked at a few potentials, picked ths up on Saturday. Only done a hundred odd miles so far, but I love it.
A 1992, B4 platform Audi 80. 2 litre 8 valve, crystal silver. Its a base model I guess, so velour seats, leccy windows and mirrors, steel wheels. 80k miles, FSH. Long MOT too. Dash and seats are lovely, very comfy, 7 dashboard vents!? Very German - big fat buttons, black, solid, doors go 'thunk'.
Was very grubby inside and out, given it a quick vac and rinse off (probably nearly doubled its value in one afternoon!) and its much more presentable now.
Bearing in mind my frame of reference is a tiny Eunos roadster, with noisy exhaust, stiff springs and dampers, and electric responses, Its really quite a revelation.
Maybe not big enough to be a full PH bargain barge, but its along the right lines.
Absolutely smooth as anything, no knocks or bangs, not a single squeak or rattle. And it feels enormous - I reckon it must be bigger than the A4 that followed it. Really high up too. Big balloon 65 profile tyres means its rides beautfifully, and the dampers and bushes must be in quite good nick. Steering and clutch is very light, gearbox feels like stirring a bucket of honey with a screwdriver compared with the rifle-bolt short throw mazda. Took a bit of getting used to.
Its not going to win any races, but it sat at .8 leptons last night so so easily, with no wind noise and just a very faint 'thrum' of an engine.
I love it. barging is the future.
Only faults are the tax is out this week, and its always a ballache when that happens trying to do it while the DVLA fanny about, and my insurance company take a month to put a certificate in the post etc.
And the trackings been done by someone too lazy to adjsut both sides equally, so the steering wheels on wonky.
I even found that missing Audi badge from the wing in the glovebox.
Other than that - spot on for £550.
ETA - better, non camera-phone photos tonight!
Edited by snotrag on Monday 28th September 13:32
It was originally up for £695.
I've noticed its got a bit of a hesitation at 1500rpm when setting off from cold - but with the engine being about as complex at lego it should be an easy fix. Dissapears after a couple of miles aswell.
Had the chance to 'hustle' it a bit last night too on some B-roads.
Surprisingly enjoyable, kind of like driving a monster truck.
although it has re-aquainted me with something which I had forgot existed...understeer! But at normal speeds its fine and quite composed.
I've noticed its got a bit of a hesitation at 1500rpm when setting off from cold - but with the engine being about as complex at lego it should be an easy fix. Dissapears after a couple of miles aswell.
Had the chance to 'hustle' it a bit last night too on some B-roads.
Surprisingly enjoyable, kind of like driving a monster truck.
although it has re-aquainted me with something which I had forgot existed...understeer! But at normal speeds its fine and quite composed.
Looks good Si. Just been browsing the MX5 photo thread and saw the pics of yours... saw you on the M62 a few months back in it (I think). Just got ours sorted now - have to get out sometime soon in them.
Hi Nick - been a while!
You guys still riding push rods?
(ex-York, now-Halifax) Dave
Hi Nick - been a while!
You guys still riding push rods?
(ex-York, now-Halifax) Dave
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Looks good Si. Just been browsing the MX5 photo thread and saw the pics of yours... saw you on the M62 a few months back in it (I think). Just got ours sorted now - have to get out sometime soon in them.
Hi Nick - been a while!
You guys still riding push rods?
(ex-York, now-Halifax) Dave
Yes, it was probably me! Hi Nick - been a while!
You guys still riding push rods?
(ex-York, now-Halifax) Dave
Yes we are all still messing abotu with bicycles. They fit much easier in that car than the Mazda (Though I managed to drive all the way to Mountain Mayhem this year with a Heckler, 2 spare wheels, all my kit, a tent, a marquee and a chair and table, INSIDE my Roadster ).
Nick is in Whistler, has been all year - some of them went over for two weeks this summer, I'm going with them next year hopefully.
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