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[Vamps]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

[Sir Tigger KC]

Vauxhall Omega!!     

I've been persevering with the bloody thing for nearly 8 years now!!   

[05omegav6]

A Mk2 2.8 Granada Ghia X non injection auto, bought for £100, no MoT or tax... you can see where this is going

Stopped for an MoT on the way home... failed on rust on the chassis rail above the diff, several holes in the floor, inoperative handbrake, blown exhaust and that was upto the point the radiator exploded over the tester

Took three goes to get the welding done to the testers satisfaction then on the way to get tax, literally minutes after the MoT pass, some bint buried her car into the side of it at a junction, taking out both doors, B post and front wing... fortunately, being a Granada, it was bent back into shape with minimal fuss and had different coloured doors until I scrapped it...

Did I mention the fact that the roof consisted of between 6 and 15 mm of filler, to the point that even the sunroof had been skimmed so it was flush with the rest of it and yes, it had lifted in places and was coming away in chunks when I bought it just the laquer peeling off, my yaris 

Once MoT'd and taxed, it managed 16mpg on a run, drive plate was missing a tooth or four, so starting was hit and miss, not to mention having to use a trolley jack handle to smack/short the starter solenoid into life... it went alright, until it stalled if you braked when it was hot

A121LKE, you truly were an absolute dog...

[2boxerdogs]

1976 Cortina mk3 2000E estate , looked lovely but ended up rotten as a pear, especially the front wings, let in water everywhere carpets were soaked every time it rained. Put me off Fords for good.

[Sir Tigger KC]

A Mk2 2.8 Granada Ghia X non injection auto, bought for £100, no MoT or tax... you can see where this is going

A121LKE, you truly were an absolute dog...

Sounds like true love Al!   

[ronnyd]

Mk 2 Vauxhall Viva. it had worn bearings in gearbox which destroyed at least two prop shafts and also had to
rebuild engine. Soon got shot of that pile of dung.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

A Mercedes CLS 500.

[Stemo]

Escort XR3i. Cost £1100 to buy and a fortune to keep on the road. Remind you of anything?

That was one of our first cars and the only lemon so far.

I bought a hill man avenger 1.6 auto, which made a hell of a racket. But it wasn't the cars fault, it was mine for towing a builders trailer and twisting the prop shaft.

[Stemo]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

Good old North East speak 

[cam2502]

Ford Granada mark 3. Loved the car...until it started having one problem after another. Still, it was a sad day when I sold it.

[05omegav6]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

A Mercedes CLS 500.

Is the honeymoon over then Mr Opti

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

A Mercedes CLS 500.

Is the honeymoon over then Mr Opti :-\

I have a nagging suspicion, Mr Al.

Let's hope it comes to nothing.

[05omegav6]

Sound ominous  fingers crossed...

[omega3000]

Peugeot 106  started when it felt like it and electrics like spaghetti   

[Stemo]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

A Mercedes CLS 500.

Is the honeymoon over then Mr Opti :-\

I have a nagging suspicion, Mr Al.

Let's hope it comes to nothing.

Is this suspicion about your Mercedes Benz a costly one?

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

A Mercedes CLS 500.

Is the honeymoon over then Mr Opti :-\

I have a nagging suspicion, Mr Al.

Let's hope it comes to nothing.

Is this suspicion about your Mercedes Benz a costly one?

Potentially.

[Stemo]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

A Mercedes CLS 500.

Is the honeymoon over then Mr Opti :-\

I have a nagging suspicion, Mr Al.

Let's hope it comes to nothing.

Is this suspicion about your Mercedes Benz a costly one?

Potentially.

Oh dear. Should have bought one of those nice chevrolets.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

A Mercedes CLS 500.

Is the honeymoon over then Mr Opti :-\

I have a nagging suspicion, Mr Al.

Let's hope it comes to nothing.

Is this suspicion about your Mercedes Benz a costly one?

Potentially.

Oh dear. Should have bought one of those nice Daewoo's

The thought did occur (briefly)

[Stemo]

Just been looking around at cars on the bay, autotrader and a couple of dealers, as you do...

Thinking about previous purchases and going back 30+ years, the most unreliable car I ever bought second hand was a one that I bought the way we would advise....... search for the best, check everything out etc, having searched the Country etc..........It was, by coincidence, a Mig......

What were your bad purchases?

A Mercedes CLS 500.

Is the honeymoon over then Mr Opti :-\

I have a nagging suspicion, Mr Al.

Let's hope it comes to nothing.

Is this suspicion about your Mercedes Benz a costly one?

Potentially.

Oh dear. Should have bought one of those nice Daewoo's

The thought did occur (briefly)

No. I meant a camaro. 

[BazaJT]

The worst a Triumph Herald managed 7miles in that from pick up to breakdown! Every journey an adventure!!Next worst was a Mk1 Scirrocco damn thing would only ever start on the key when it felt like it[which was seldom]sold it after 3 weeks.

[TheBoy]

MkII Astra Belmont 1.8GLSi

Only had it 3 months or so, did about 20k in it. The first engine was a dream, that thing flew (still hated it though). All good things must come to an end, and its replacement engine was just gutless.

However, the only unreliability it gave was a chit chat between pistons and valves after racing a mate in his Saab 9000.


Its replacement, a MkII Astra GTE broke down on the first day. I swore, after those 2, I'd never, ever, ever own another Vauxhall. And every time I have another, I remember why I swear it'll always be the last

[TheBoy]

Suppose Project Tractor/TB2 has to be in there for unreliability, although it never failed to get to its destination.

[Grrrrrr]

Range Rover P38.

Every time I get in and everything works is a good day!

[hotel21]

MGA840V

Avenger estate. Bought as a workhorse whilst I rebuilt a rear ended 4 month old Astra SRI. Was great for carrying body panels and other assorted bits and bobs but was the most unreliable of starters. And wet. Really wet inside. Seriously considered dual wipers - inside and outside the screen as demos ting was a joke. And that was after removing carper and sound deadening. Frekking thing never dried out. Scrapped it eventually......

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

MkII Astra Belmont 1.8GLSi

Only had it 3 months or so, did about 20k in it. The first engine was a dream, that thing flew (still hated it though). All good things must come to an end, and its replacement engine was just gutless.

However, the only unreliability it gave was a chit chat between pistons and valves after racing a mate in his Saab 9000.


Its replacement, a MkII Astra GTE broke down on the first day. I swore, after those 2, I'd never, ever, ever own another Vauxhall. And every time I have another, I remember why I swear it'll always be the last

The 16 valve version was a properly quick little car.

[TheBoy]

MkII Astra Belmont 1.8GLSi

Only had it 3 months or so, did about 20k in it. The first engine was a dream, that thing flew (still hated it though). All good things must come to an end, and its replacement engine was just gutless.

However, the only unreliability it gave was a chit chat between pistons and valves after racing a mate in his Saab 9000.


Its replacement, a MkII Astra GTE broke down on the first day. I swore, after those 2, I'd never, ever, ever own another Vauxhall. And every time I have another, I remember why I swear it'll always be the last

The 16 valve version was a properly quick little car.

In a straight line from a rolling start. But then they weighed sod all, and produced good power.

Still a girls car.

[Stemo]

MkII Astra Belmont 1.8GLSi

Only had it 3 months or so, did about 20k in it. The first engine was a dream, that thing flew (still hated it though). All good things must come to an end, and its replacement engine was just gutless.

However, the only unreliability it gave was a chit chat between pistons and valves after racing a mate in his Saab 9000.


Its replacement, a MkII Astra GTE broke down on the first day. I swore, after those 2, I'd never, ever, ever own another Vauxhall. And every time I have another, I remember why I swear it'll always be the last

The 16 valve version was a properly quick little car.

In a straight line from a rolling start. But then they weighed sod all, and produced good power.

Still a girls car.

I disagree. I thought they were great cars, far too nippy for a girlie.
I remember the police in Liverpool having XR3i's, so all the scallies bought GTE's. No contest.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

MkII Astra Belmont 1.8GLSi

Only had it 3 months or so, did about 20k in it. The first engine was a dream, that thing flew (still hated it though). All good things must come to an end, and its replacement engine was just gutless.

However, the only unreliability it gave was a chit chat between pistons and valves after racing a mate in his Saab 9000.


Its replacement, a MkII Astra GTE broke down on the first day. I swore, after those 2, I'd never, ever, ever own another Vauxhall. And every time I have another, I remember why I swear it'll always be the last

The 16 valve version was a properly quick little car.

In a straight line from a rolling start. But then they weighed sod all, and produced good power.

Still a girls car.

I disagree. I thought they were great cars, far too nippy for a girlie.
I remember the police in Liverpool having XR3i's, so all the scallies bought GTE's. No contest.

Agreed. The 16 valve version had 150 BHP in a body that weighed virtually nothing by the standards of today.

150 BHP is far too much for a mere 'girlie' to handle.

These things were doing seven point something to sixty way back in the late eighties.

P.S................. XR3/XR3i was a 'hairdresser's car'.

[Marks DTM Calib]

157bhp in the rare early non-cat version

Proper fast little engine and quite pretty to (did I just say that?  )

[Kevin Wood]

My recollection from the time is that they were "traction limited" to about 120 BHP. The rest went into generating smoke if you tried to punt it off the lights too quick. Still quick, though. Made an XR3i feel like it was going backwards.

[chrisgixer]

After reading this, and his comments on other WWD cars which is most of them including the focus , one wonders if TB understands the concept of "the envelope" and staying broadly within it.

[Kevin Wood]

After reading this, and his comments on other WWD cars which is most of them including the focus , one wonders if TB understands the concept of "the envelope" and staying broadly within it.

Don't be silly. They're for posting stuff in.

[aaronjb]

MkII Astra Belmont 1.8GLSi

Only had it 3 months or so, did about 20k in it. The first engine was a dream, that thing flew (still hated it though). All good things must come to an end, and its replacement engine was just gutless.

However, the only unreliability it gave was a chit chat between pistons and valves after racing a mate in his Saab 9000.


Its replacement, a MkII Astra GTE broke down on the first day. I swore, after those 2, I'd never, ever, ever own another Vauxhall. And every time I have another, I remember why I swear it'll always be the last

The 16 valve version was a properly quick little car.

In a straight line from a rolling start. But then they weighed sod all, and produced good power.

Still a girls car.

I disagree. I thought they were great cars, far too nippy for a girlie.
I remember the police in Liverpool having XR3i's, so all the scallies bought GTE's. No contest.

Bought? 

[pscocoa]

1973 Austin 2200 was most unreliable in terms of early failure or parts and body but it never really let me down apart from Oct 1978 between Dobwalls and Bodmin at 10pm when I had to stop to deal with low engine oil. Got it to destination and had new short motor fitted in an old tin mine shed at Wheal Kitty

[Stemo]

1973 Austin 2200 was most unreliable in terms of early failure or parts and body but it never really let me down apart from Oct 1978 between Dobwalls and Bodmin at 10pm when I had to stop to deal with low engine oil. Got it to destination and had new short motor fitted in an old tin mine shed at Wheal Kitty

Oh....you've just reminded me of my Austin 1100. Dear me.....dear,dear me..

Hydrolastic suspension........dear me...

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

1973 Austin 2200 was most unreliable in terms of early failure or parts and body but it never really let me down apart from Oct 1978 between Dobwalls and Bodmin at 10pm when I had to stop to deal with low engine oil. Got it to destination and had new short motor fitted in an old tin mine shed at Wheal Kitty

Oh....you've just reminded me of my Austin 1100. Dear me.....dear,dear me..

Hydrolastic suspension........dear me...

Hydragas on the legendary all conquering All-aggro ......and a 'quartic' steering wheel to boot.

They don't make them like that anymore.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Hydrolastic suspension........dear me...

I'm far to young to know...    but I'd wager that those old BL's with the hydrolastic suspension were great for entertaining the ladies! 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

157bhp in the rare early non-cat version

Proper fast little engine and quite pretty to (did I just say that?  )

I've just checked out the 1988 road test. Zero to sixty in 7.6 seconds.

Kerb weight ....1008 KG. That's less than a modern 1.2 litre Corsa.

[TheBoy]

MkII Astra Belmont 1.8GLSi

Only had it 3 months or so, did about 20k in it. The first engine was a dream, that thing flew (still hated it though). All good things must come to an end, and its replacement engine was just gutless.

However, the only unreliability it gave was a chit chat between pistons and valves after racing a mate in his Saab 9000.


Its replacement, a MkII Astra GTE broke down on the first day. I swore, after those 2, I'd never, ever, ever own another Vauxhall. And every time I have another, I remember why I swear it'll always be the last

The 16 valve version was a properly quick little car.

In a straight line from a rolling start. But then they weighed sod all, and produced good power.

Still a girls car.

I disagree. I thought they were great cars, far too nippy for a girlie.
I remember the police in Liverpool having XR3i's, so all the scallies bought GTE's. No contest.

My lodger had an XR3i, one of the first before they became the Essex favourite, and she always let me use it (esp as invariably my Vauxhalls were broken). What a crock of shite that was, one of the most disappointing cars I've ever driven - even when I used to take my mates up the pub in it, they kept suggesting I booted it to see what it could do, even though it was already flat out.

[TheBoy]

157bhp in the rare early non-cat version

Proper fast little engine and quite pretty to (did I just say that?  )

I'm embarrassed to say it was the looks of the MkII GTE that appealed. I really liked the way it looked, and the power to weight was astonishing (for what it was). Newest car I'd ever had at the time, 2yrs old when I got it, and paid £5.2k IIRC (£15k new). Being Vauxhall, rust was already coming through.

2 downsides, aside from being a girls car,
1) Absolutely hopeless at getting any power down, and in corner handling was an unpredictable toss-up between under and oversteer (yet very controllable), any attempt to correct speed in a corner was always "exciting"
2) Attracted too much attention, from both Police and scrotes. I've always tried to avoid such "obvious" cars since, as not worth the hassle.

Only had it a year, what a hoot it was, but the constant worry of not knowing it would be where you left it was overwhelming (as was the insurance renewal!)