The forum idiot strikes again!

[Phil]

Thing is, I can understand some things not being as described, a dent here and there, a bit of that maybe, a mark on a seat.. But no brakes?! She wanted something she could drive and he said he regularly used it and it was perfect. It literally has no brakes at all! Dangerous is not the word.

[FredSpencer]

Originally Posted by Phil

Thing is, I can understand some things not being as described, a dent here and there, a bit of that maybe, a mark on a seat.. But no brakes?! She wanted something she could drive and he said he regularly used it and it was perfect. It literally has no brakes at all! Dangerous is not the word.

If he's adamant the brakes are OK invite him to stand in front of the car while you do a brake test.

[Phil]

Good idea.


What types of brake fluid should be used in older cars?

[Phil]

Brakes had no fluid in them at all. Despite her mates boyfriend telling her that it was full. I bled them. Now has brakes. Brake lights didn't work because the switch was disconnected. It had an awful misfire. That was because the vacuum advance was disconnected. I rectified these bits and we went for a very small run. Went to turn around and it won't stay in reverse. It jumps out. I hope its linkage but I expect it is gearbox. Got back on the drive and it conked out. I said it seems like it has run out of fuel but she said the seller said he put £20 of fuel in it before it was loaded up. The fuel filter was empty so one jerry can later and the under bonnet pump went beserk clicking away and it fired up. What a lying excuse of a man. I did try and call him but of course, had no answer.

[2Diesels]

Sounds like a bargain Phil
You wouldn't mind if they would just tell you about this stuff but instead they lie through their back teeth just to move the car on, I remember you having similar issues with Marina 1 wasn't it?

[Phil]

Originally Posted by 2Diesels

Sounds like a bargain Phil
You wouldn't mind if they would just tell you about this stuff but instead they lie through their back teeth just to move the car on, I remember you having similar issues with Marina 1 wasn't it?

No, no. Marina 2 was far worse. I knew Marina 1 would be trouble. But Marina 1 was only £450. Once I had:
Replaced the battery,
replaced a HT lead,
filled up the carb damper,
replaced the plugs, points and cap, Marina 1 was absolutely perfect and proved incredibly reliable.. The above list was after a series of breakdowns on the long drive home after purchase. So sad that the bloke I sold him to scrapped him. I said I would have him back!!

Marina 2 was a pain in the bum. Cost over £1000
Swindon to Manchester for a so say mint car needing nothing.

It used six litres of oil coming home. The bores had huge scores in them. Luckily and touching wood, he is going fine at the moment and £3500 later.

This Austin Jackie has bought though.... What a piece of work. I feel awful for her. She sold our P4 which was very well indeed for £2750 which is a terrible shame really but it was hers at that point and she couldn't drive it.
This Austin sounded awesome and the pictures showed something beautiful.
She took a punt and I was excited for her. She was finally getting a classic car she could enjoy without relying on other people chauffeuring her about.
It has turned up and after trusting the seller and taking him for his word, she has been diddled. Today, I have rectified lack of brakes. I have rectified lack of brake lamps, (switch not connected) I have rectified misfire, (vac advance disconnected!) The car needs rewiring significantly and front seat needs retrimming. Needless to say he won't answer my phone calls. I will keep trying and hopefully he will offer some kind of partial refund. I mean, the thing was dangerous with no brakes despite him saying it was used regularly and wpould easily make the long journey home.

[2Diesels]

I knew it was one of the Marinas

[Phil]

Yeah, Marina 1 was an adventure and was cheap to sort. Marina 2 was a money pit!

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by 2Diesels

No idea Phil but a 2000SC manual should be high 20's & even 30mpg driven carefully, the TC's & autos however are thirsty

Not true, the 2000TC was siginificatly better than the 2000SC, certainly the one I had would return 33-35mpg, and both the 200TCs that my parents had (One was from new, dad traded in a '66 Lotus Elite for it) returned much the same, even rovers figures said the 'TC used siginficantly less fuel than the 'SC

[stevestrat]

Originally Posted by Phil

He said he used it regularly.

For what