Area 51

In a nutshell Dave.. but non the less a clear description of why there is a need for a decent apprenticeship in any vocation.. with it you'll go far, no short cuts to getting the best results... thanks for the extra detail on diag readers - I'm certainly getting a further education here! Much appreciated. Thanks

Bit harsh, Neil died a while back...

Maybe get a couple or three caravans / motorhomes... usually reasonable types own these.. few bob to spend..help your costs if you need to add security! Go for it, its cheap!!

I'd hazardous a guess you wont find a £2 coin under the seat either...

Ooh hey! Bit giddy there, enroute to Dublin for a bit of the black stuff! can you say that these days??

I know its Saturday, but: Yuck! Get some gloves on AD; you will be needing several jabs before you know it... Expect the "one owner" has also lost the dog..

+1 will be using this too; wise words here.. Ideal for keeping a few clueless wannabee timewasters at bay... As you rightly say Mark, after sizing up they appear ok.. then deal with them as you find.. Nice ones always get even nicer treatment to enhance their new purchase - it aint rocket science ..

Think that is the answer right there.. not a clue - never mind a pot

Totally agree.. perhaps selling tablets as a side line is the way too go...? Good to keep smiling though, and dont mention vegans...

Agree Dave, I also try to do at least 100miles in anything so I can see if its carrying any defects... Simples.... Also everything is working as it should.. lets me discuss the vehicle and demo with confidence with any Billy.. But, and there is always a BUT.. its mechanical.. so it can break once its out of sight.. thing is, DALPO (do all possible) to ensure its up to the job and more (as you rightly say, would you let your loved ones use/travel in it) before its saleable.. cant do anymore.. It you hear about it again, investigate investigate investigate.. and then do the right thing and move on!.. Even new off a dealership forecourt breaks!

+1 Dave Can I just add.. "All I'm sayin is I'd far rather be the one to find the dodgy "ANYTHING" before I sell the car than the billy, who drives it to destruction and costs me an engine. All customers act F8ckin stoopid once there is a problem; a few carefully chosen questions might extract the truth and circumstances, however many are getting more savvi when it comes to the game of complaining.. bloody UK national pastime.. Best, as above, DALPO (do all possible) to identify problems and fix em.. always buy expecting your arse to be exposed.. when it aint.. its a good day all round...

Can only agree.. What if the Billies are reading this and getting ideas... Just saying like & me probably me being cynical

My old man (RIP) was a Marine Design Engineer, B'day was 6th June, he served in the Royal Navy on D-Day in his early 20's... He occasionally visited ships in dry dock; took me along a couple of times (it scared the sh*t out of me how huge they were)... Anyway, can always remember him saying; anyone can buy a boat, its the running of them that costs the money..

Bet they were getting an EU subsidy for under performing "farm business"

+1 Always and you will not go far wrong Key here surely has to be owning the land! Buy land they wont be making any more!!!

Tend to agree... and having seen the words Mini and valve stems seals.. There is plenty on the WWW about this issue with this car! They will blue smoke after a period at idle and the engine revved. Can also blue AND white smoke after a period at idle! From WWW reports this is valve seals and head gasket..... When reading up on these issues a lot of comments also suggest the engine using 1litre of oil a month... So if its been out for 10-12 weeks, it may be burned a good couple of litres if these faults are present and the billy isnt checking the oil levels.. TBH with a car new to him/her new MOT service etc.. why would they snout around checking oils levels in the first few months..? The mileage on this reported problem seems to match the WWW reports of failing valve stem seals and head gaskets.. Mostly due to poor maintenance, incorrect oil being used in this engine.. I'd say get it back, get it checked properly and offer a settlement.. suggested repair costs seem steep mind

I have a pal who works with money (all legit - fund manager stuff), he told me in the mid 90's he likes money, therefore he works with it.. He has been good at that.. very good at that! Me? I did what i enjoyed too, but it was earning money, now I'm making money.. it aint on anything like the scale but its nice to make it rather than earn it..... I'd say the internet is your friend these days for most things; even making money!

I'd say they are now taking cash for Thanksgiving and Xmas.. they drive the markets and bet against the moves in the index.. Some decent reading out there on this.. If you can get the info, the cash makes itself... these buggers like money, they make it; they never earn it..

+1... eyes wide open, follow your dreams

POET's day Dave... Away and nail some skirt up there over the border....

+ 1 I'd agree, non seem to have a clear plan on how to take on the market AT has dominated.. Although something does need to shake these greedy saps up.. Ebay shares have been falling quite a bit and most reading appears to suggest they have lost their way trying to mimic Amazon on the cheap; can only guess someone made a few quid selling it on.. + 1, we can hope! Market dominance can be doomed to fail, but rather than wait its best to use it to best advantage I'd say... Here is another consolidation story I got earlier in the week.. https://www.motortrader.com/motor-trader-news/automotive-news/aston-barclay-buys-39m-turnover-car-buying-group-15-10-2018?eea=NFVBSXo2ZkVRSWJqVnRVUzY2Z3J6QjJzTVhJVG5aMUo1bnVCSGRQQW92Yz0=&n_hash=579&utm_source=eshot&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MT-2906-(Edi)DailyNewsletter-#579 +1 Got a few t-shirts with that printed on it Dave...

Dispels the problems with Silver cars doesnt it??

What a brilliant forum, words fail me! Well done both!

Got to be the best feeling, like we chose cars that are not the best around!

Boom Love it, nicely nicked