Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Viral_Jim on 12 May 2018, 22:55:47

Title: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 12 May 2018, 22:55:47
My best mate’s wife has a Mazda 2, 60 plate, 55k, pre reg but to all intents and purposes a 1 owner from new and always been to Mazda every year for its service.

Last week it’s had new rear springs (both broken) rear shocks (both misted with oil) rear brake cylinders, shoes and drums (both weeping) and sundry rear suspension bushes.

Oh and the rear arches are changing from pearlescent white to a fetching shade of orange where they meet the cills.

What a bag of nasty sh!te. To (mis)quote Ste, Mazda, not while I have a hole in my ar$e.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: TheBoy on 14 May 2018, 17:39:22
Most Omegas had rust at 8yrs old.

Granted, GM were really slow to sort out decent rustproofing...   ...and you shouldn't expect that from a modern car :(
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 14 May 2018, 17:45:47
Had a look at a few cheaper Mazda 5 and Honda Accord over the years...

MOT history of seemingly nice cars suggest no end of corrosion based issues :-\
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: btc on 14 May 2018, 18:22:03
Are these not based on the Ford Fester
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: STEMO on 14 May 2018, 18:24:35
Never had experience of any Mazda but, I must admit, I quite like the look of the 6.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 14 May 2018, 21:58:58
Had a Mazda 626 from new 2002-2010 very reliable but was rotten as a pear by 2012 , when I had my Hyundai steam cleaned & undersealed at Rustbusters in Spalding 2 years ago , the technician there said the worst cars for rust were Mazda's closely followed by Land Rovers .
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: STEMO on 14 May 2018, 22:18:53
Had a Mazda 626 from new 2002-2010 very reliable but was rotten as a pear by 2012 , when I had my Hyundai steam cleaned & undersealed at Rustbusters in Spalding 2 years ago , the technician there said the worst cars for rust were Mazda's closely followed by Land Rovers .
Technician eh?
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: BazaJT on 15 May 2018, 08:06:28
Yes Stemo they're all technicians these days.Garages no longer have mechanics they're technicians or master technicians[because they've been on a course].Mazda do seem to have gained a reputation for rusting badly,quite why they should do so with todays rustproofing from the factory I don't know.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 15 May 2018, 08:46:48
Yes Stemo they're all technicians these days.Garages no longer have mechanics they're technicians or master technicians[because they've been on a course].Mazda do seem to have gained a reputation for rusting badly,quite why they should do so with todays rustproofing from the factory I don't know.
Japanese built/market cars aren't routinely rust proofed...
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Nick W on 15 May 2018, 08:49:34
Yes Stemo they're all technicians these days.Garages no longer have mechanics they're technicians or master technicians[because they've been on a course].Mazda do seem to have gained a reputation for rusting badly,quite why they should do so with todays rustproofing from the factory I don't know.
Japanese built/market cars aren't routinely rust proofed...


they're not intended to be in use long enough to need it. Grey imports are particularly bad for rot.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Kevin Wood on 15 May 2018, 09:57:13
Yep, Mazda really aren't that great on rustproofing, which is a shame because both of the MX5s that we have had have been excellent mechanically - witness the number that are now being turned into kit cars because the mechanical parts way outlast the bodywork.

Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 15 May 2018, 13:47:23
My surprise really was around how new the car is.

But then I suppose the ownership model has changed now such that you want a max 5yr life expectancy, that way you get the original owner 2-4yrs who can then sell it on without it being a dog (which oils affect the GFV). Just in time for the second poor sucker to be landed with the rust.

Maybe I’m unrealistic, but imo just don’t find it acceptable given the amount new cars cost.  ::)
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 15 May 2018, 15:25:32
The wifes Subaru is going in soon to be completely treated by Rustbusters , only 32,000 miles on the clock & we intend keeping it for a few years , I watched the whole process when the Hyundai was done very thorough & not too expensive.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Mr Gav on 15 May 2018, 19:39:48
I just notices on the company Nemo today that all four hinges on the back doors are rusting....it`s only eighteen months old  :o
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: henryd on 16 May 2018, 00:23:50
It isn't  confined to Mazda,many less than ten year old Ford's also need the Mig glue gun prematurely
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 16 May 2018, 01:04:22
Work are looking to replace four 10 year old lwb Transits... (they've 8 rear seats and slide out tail lifts) and have asked for suggestions...

We could do with some bigger buses, so have suggested lwb high roof Sprinters with a service bus conversion (16 pax, including two wheel chairs, plug door and fold out ramp) along with a couple of mwb high roof with 8 folding seats and built in clamps and belts for 4 wheel chairs and internal tail lifts.

Failing that, lwb high roof Sprinter or Transit minibuses with the rear two rows removed and slide out tail lifts as a cheaper option...

Apparently they are seriously considering Fiat Ducatos...   ;D

I have reached the conclusion that I work for complete idiots :-X
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: 2boxerdogs on 16 May 2018, 07:24:41
Work are looking to replace four 10 year old lwb Transits... (they've 8 rear seats and slide out tail lifts) and have asked for suggestions...

We could do with some bigger buses, so have suggested lwb high roof Sprinters with a service bus conversion (16 pax, including two wheel chairs, plug door and fold out ramp) along with a couple of mwb high roof with 8 folding seats and built in clamps and belts for 4 wheel chairs and internal tail lifts.

Failing that, lwb high roof Sprinter or Transit minibuses with the rear two rows removed and slide out tail lifts as a cheaper option...

Apparently they are seriously considering Fiat Ducatos...   ;D

I have reached the conclusion that I work for complete idiots :-X
.   




Wifey has had two Fiats in the past , everything just seems so weak on them  & very bizarrely put together, would never have another.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 10:55:29
SWMBO and I have been considering doing a camper conversion, but picking the base van is tough, transits still seem to rot through in a relatively few years, and most sprinters/very crafters look awful over about 3yrs old. Iveco looks tempting, but it’s somethibg I really don’t know much (read: anything) about
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: STEMO on 16 May 2018, 11:11:25
VW?
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 11:16:20
I'm not really a fan of the T5/6, too small for us plus 2 Muts I think. I would rather go for a Crafter sized vehicle. I'm not sure about the most recent generation, but I think the previous generation were a favourite with the ol' tin worm.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 16 May 2018, 11:35:52
Merc Viano ? ...............or waste £30k on an old air cooled VW and be the coolest man on your street.  ::)
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 13:34:17
or waste £30k on an old air cooled VW and be the coolest man on your street.  ::)

I'd rather take a slide hammer to my wedding veg.

Hateful, slow, noisy, rickety, unsafe bean tins of hatefulness.  ;D
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: henryd on 16 May 2018, 14:28:58
or waste £30k on an old air cooled VW and be the coolest man on your street.  ::)

I'd rather take a slide hammer to my wedding veg.

Hateful, slow, noisy, rickety, unsafe bean tins of hatefulness.  ;D

Yes but worth a fortune,Christ knows why :-\
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: STEMO on 16 May 2018, 15:24:10
or waste £30k on an old air cooled VW and be the coolest man on your street.  ::)

I'd rather take a slide hammer to my wedding veg.

Hateful, slow, noisy, rickety, unsafe bean tins of hatefulness.  ;D

Yes but worth a fortune,Christ knows why :-\
There's a place called Storm just down the road from me that has loads of them. The prices are eye-watering.

http://www.stormvans.uk
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: STEMO on 16 May 2018, 15:27:45
Here's a big Frenchmen for you, Jimmy:

http://www.stormvans.uk/citroen-motorhome-camper-2008-77k-miles/
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 16:43:20
Here's a big Frenchmen for you, Jimmy:

http://www.stormvans.uk/citroen-motorhome-camper-2008-77k-miles/

That’s exactly the sort of thing we were looking to do. Needs to be auto though so swmbo can do some driving. Also I’ll want to be able to kit out the inside to our spec (integrated dog cages for example).

On the list as soon as we get ourselves moved
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 16 May 2018, 16:45:20
I wouldn't buy that with your money...

For a camper conversion I would buy a new Transit or Sprinter van of suitable size, tick the options that make them a bit nicer... Heated memory seats, decent engine, upgraded heater, glazed side and rear doors, extra battery, large fuel tank and upgraded alternator. (Sprinter would get my cash as the longer term support is better.)

Then fit out the rear to suit. If you look after it, it should look after you... Buying anything based on the cheapest vans will cost you dearly in long term ownership.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: TheBoy on 16 May 2018, 18:13:29
I have reached the conclusion that I work for complete idiots :-X
Maybe they have complete sense, giving Mercedes Benz a wide berth ;)
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 16 May 2018, 18:33:17
I have reached the conclusion that I work for complete idiots :-X
Maybe they have complete sense, giving Mercedes Benz a wide berth ;)
For Fiat :o
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: TheBoy on 16 May 2018, 18:37:15
I have reached the conclusion that I work for complete idiots :-X
Maybe they have complete sense, giving Mercedes Benz a wide berth ;)
For Fiat :o
In cars (and we know vans are a different kettle of fish), at least a fiat is designed correctly (and maybe slightly let down in execution), unlike MB, where they flick through the part suppliers catalogues, and play lego...
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 18:46:35
Given the choice, I would take mechanical weakness and decent Corrosion resistance over the reverse.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 16 May 2018, 18:54:46
The PSA/Renault stuff might not rust, but they are very lightly built with stupidly expensive parts... But each to their own...
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: STEMO on 16 May 2018, 19:06:47
The days of French shite and Italian rust buckets are long gone. They only live on in the minds of old and middle aged men.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 19:14:56
No decision taken yet. Seeing as it’s auto, beggars may not be able to be choosers.  Other than AC Spec isn’t important though, as even the drivers seats.

FWIW, the 2 tradesmen I know personally  moved from 2x transits to Ducatos and rate them. But that could just be down to moving to a van that’s a generation newer. .  :-\

Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Nick W on 16 May 2018, 20:56:52
I have reached the conclusion that I work for complete idiots :-X
Maybe they have complete sense, giving Mercedes Benz a wide berth ;)
For Fiat :o
In cars (and we know vans are a different kettle of fish), at least a Fiat is designed correctly (and maybe slightly let down in execution), unlike MB, where they flick through the part suppliers catalogues, and play lego...


Have you been drinking?
Or had a stroke?
Or ever looked at a Fiat, let alone ever driven or worked on one?
And the Fiat vans are particularly bad, as they're designed and built in conjunction with Citroen - a combination that has disaster as an integral part.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 22:02:38
So, clearly opinions are divided...

 ;D
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 16 May 2018, 22:11:57
So, clearly opinions are divided...

 ;D
OK, to put it another way, that ten year Citroën van with a sofa bed and portaloo costs about the same as a pre-registered new one that you can fit out yourself... Still won't be any good ::)
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 22:17:57
Don’t knock it!

I’m hoping to kit one out, have 5yrs of holidays and then selling it at cost  :y

As if... ::)
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Rods2 on 16 May 2018, 22:50:44
Sounds like your best bet is a couple of pairs of steel capped hiking boots for you and SWMBO, but be careful:

Brand A: Definitely avoid as after 10 years beach surf walking everyday, poor corrosion resistance, the steel toe caps had completely rusted away. :-[
Brand B: Avoid as they fitted badly where the different parts came from the bitsa bins. :D
Brand C: Only got 1.5 times around the world before their weak mechanicals meant they fell to pieces. :o
Brand D: Poorly made with rough stitching, that gave way on our 3 circuit of Europe and weak laces meant a roadside rescue. :(
Brand E: Came out of the ugly bin and badly fitting, so sore feet, avoid. ???
Brand F: No heat resistance, they lasted notime when walking on hot lava in Hawaii. >:(

Have you considerer the benefits of bare feet walking? :-X :-X :-X ;D ;D ;D :P :P :P
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 16 May 2018, 23:53:08
Hmm. If you’re alluding to a tent, I’d rather stay at home, on fire.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Rods2 on 17 May 2018, 00:37:10
No just making the point all of the comments are along the lines of don't buy this because....

I would have thought something along the lines of a,b,c are their good points, but watch out for these problems especially after x miles, z years would be much more useful to you when making a decision. More like secondhand reviews tend to do, but with the benefit of direct personal experience added from the contributors on here. :y :y :y

For example: I know the Renault/Vx vans tend to eat gearboxes but with regular oil changes and making sure regularly the oil is fully topped up massively extends the gearbox life so you probably won't have a problem.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: BazaJT on 17 May 2018, 07:54:46
The latest shape Transits are so easy to break into it's laughable[there is a fix out for this] and they have problems with the door hinges whereby the door hits the front wing when you open/close it-again there's a fix out for this.There are some very nice versions out though,the MS-Sport[I think that's what they call it] a Guy Martin edition and also a Valentine Rossi edition for three of them.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 17 May 2018, 09:04:28
The latest shape Transits are so easy to break into it's laughable[there is a fix out for this] and they have problems with the door hinges whereby the door hits the front wing when you open/close it-again there's a fix out for this.There are some very nice versions out though,the MS-Sport[I think that's what they call it] a Guy Martin edition and also a Valentine Rossi edition for three of them.

Your still talking about vans, yes ??  :o ??? :-\ :o
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: aaronjb on 17 May 2018, 10:02:52
The latest shape Transits are so easy to break into it's laughable[there is a fix out for this] and they have problems with the door hinges whereby the door hits the front wing when you open/close it-again there's a fix out for this.There are some very nice versions out though,the MS-Sport[I think that's what they call it] a Guy Martin edition and also a Valentine Rossi edition for three of them.

Your still talking about vans, yes ??  :o ??? :-\ :o

https://guymartinracing.co.uk/brand-new-guy-martin-proper-van/

In terms of vehicle reviews - I briefly considered asking for recommendations (here) on small (think Swift/Corsa/clit sized) automatics for the other half.. then I realised all I'd get is "They're all shite" so I didn't bother ;D

BTW Jimmy, IIRC, someone at your gaff is doing the same thing, though they are converting a VW transporter as that's what they fell in love with recently.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 17 May 2018, 10:36:08
BTW Jimmy, IIRC, someone at your gaff is doing the same thing, though they are converting a VW transporter as that's what they fell in love with recently.

Interesting, I'll keep an eye out!

I can see why people like the transporter, they're the most "car like" I think of the vans, plus there's the vw thing but I definitely want a toilet and shower in ours (otherwise why not just take the car and a decent tent) which rules them out immediately. I also want a "garage" area for wet/dirty gear, and an external shower attachment for the muts.

Something like this may be a decent starting point.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201801172840507?make=IVECO&model=DAILY&advertising-location=at_vans&body-type=Panel%20Van&radius=1500&wheelbase=LWB&sort=supplied-price-asc&transmission=Automatic&postcode=ox279bn&page=1 (https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201801172840507?make=IVECO&model=DAILY&advertising-location=at_vans&body-type=Panel%20Van&radius=1500&wheelbase=LWB&sort=supplied-price-asc&transmission=Automatic&postcode=ox279bn&page=1)
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: aaronjb on 21 May 2018, 11:58:25
I can find out who it is, if you like - it might have been the other half of someone there, come to think of it. Either way, they rented a VW and took off around Wales in the middle of winter (brave!) stopping wherever with no set plans and loved it so much they decided to convert their own van over the next few months (because, as you know, buying one ready made is eye-wateringly expensive!)

I think you are looking a significant scale above them, though  ;D
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 21 May 2018, 19:57:10
To be fair, that’s the aim. The reality will depend on the length of our drive when we move  :y

VW is the fallback option. Mostly because if it doesn’t suit us and we jack the idea in I’d wager I could sell it break even/small profit. We got the idea after a similar holiday on the Isle of Wight in a “log cabin”. Took the dog and just hit the beach every day. Downside was the £600 bill for 4-5days.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: STEMO on 21 May 2018, 20:09:08
To be fair, that’s the aim. The reality will depend on the length of our drive when we move  :y

VW is the fallback option. Mostly because if it doesn’t suit us and we jack the idea in I’d wager I could sell it break even/small profit. We got the idea after a similar holiday on the Isle of Wight in a “log cabin”. Took the dog and just hit the beach every day. Downside was the £600 bill for 4-5days.
Try North Yorkshire, a week in a half decent cottage up there in summer is close to a grand.
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: Viral_Jim on 21 May 2018, 20:19:58
Yup, s bonkers, s more than £500/wk near where my folks live, and that has no features of interest other than being a bit near Ludlow.

We have a lot of beautiful country to explore, but I’m not willing to do it at £120-150 per night (if you’re lucky enough to find places that take muts).  ::)
Title: Re: What a bag of sh!te
Post by: STEMO on 21 May 2018, 20:39:15
Cottages for you used to charge £25 for the dog, but they seem to have dropped it now. What really cheeses you off, after you've paid your £900 or whatever, is if it pisses it down all week. I've seen us come home on the Wednesday.