Lord Geordie Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 Well what with saving for the house purchase "still waiting by the way" and arranging some children's entertainment for the next two caravan rally's i am attending, I found money was a little tight to replace my aging 1996 Astra. Today I went to view a rather smart 2006 Renault Laguna. FSH, long MOT and only 86k and took the plunge. The only two issues it has. One, no tow bar Two, the rear axle bush on the O/S has failed. I have read about the repair procedure, and it looks like something I could manage. So think as a matter of corse, I will do both sides. Anyone on here had to do one before and can offer any tips? Judging by what I have read it seems fairly straight forward. But just wanted to aire on the side of caution and ask first. The car other than that is a cracker! And for under £400 I think even with the bushes needing done was a bargain. It has the dreaded keyless system. But having read about those, fancy my chances of repairing them should they break. It came with two anyway. With all these modern gizmos I am lost! How high can it fligh on cruise control? And what's a limiter? I always thought that was a term of endearment for the Mrs? And Air Con? Is that auto opening windows? I don't know how I will cope. It's the 2.0 petrol version and seems to do well on the juice if driven well. Can't tell you how chuffed I am to finally have a decent motor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston72 Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 Mate i'm glad things seem to have turned round for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted April 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 Everything is coming along ok now just waiting on the transfer docs for the house being sent to my solicitor. And now a better car too, it's like all my Christmas' have came at once! When I manage to get away with the caravan "once last year" and will be twice i hope this year, i stock up on stuff for the kids who attend. Last year I took toys and silly bits! Inc glider kits, kites, balloons etc. The kids spent the whole time playing together with the stuff I took and left their phones and games consoles alone This year I have bought a Piñata, loads of toys as prizes, I have came up with games, and even retrofitted Chris' old toy fruit machine with rally spools. I have special tokens, that if won will be for prizes! Also lined up a treasure hunt, baking comp and other stuff. I know it sounds daft, but I wish I could have had more kids! This gives me a great feeling when you see them achieve things and see them happy with their well earned prizes. This year I bought Watches, flashlights, toy cars, rip cord helicopters, kites, gliders, illuminated balloons etc for them. Plus I will be doing a cinema night with hotdogs etc too. That went down really well last year! The car just came at the right time! I couldn't believe my luck at the price! The lad even drove it to my dads for me so I didn't have to much about transferring ins until the bushes are done. I had looked at them before and they were more £1200 or more for decent low mileage ones. I found a chap locally selling a tow bar on eBay for it. So slapped a cheeky bid on there as he won't post, it makes it more likely less people will bid! Who knows Never know! Maybe find someone to settle down with next too Oh yes things certainly seem to be brightening up! But even when they weren't, there was always (and always will be) a strong resolve to just do the best I can. Had a nice day out with Hawkeye again last week too on some drillings. Not a lot about, but still a great day out. His new pooch is a scream. Lovely little guy. Have to resist dog napping him And to cap it all off, bought mum a mobility scooter! It has opened up her world again. I drop her off at the shop door and leave her to it. Meet up in the aisles to transfer her stuff into the trolley and off she scoots again. Worth every penny to see her smile again. Can't wait to get her to the coast again and let her and dad race along the promenade :lol: Still can't shoot straight though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
team tractor Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 What happened to the blue car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-G Posted April 21, 2017 Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 Great news after so long on low wages - which I think is more common than many people could comprehend. I used to feel disadvantaged when I hear about how much some other people earn, and can't imagine a so called average wage of £27K ish. I've rarely achieved even half that sum. Our disposable income has just improved too now Mrs-G also draws her pension. Retirement is great not having to spend over half my takings just to keep the cab on the road and pay for next weeks job entitlement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted April 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 What happened to the blue car That developed a rather bad rust issue of the rear chassis rails. I found that out while trying to remove the trailing arm bolts only to have half of the mount fall onto my face! Those suzuki's are bad for it. The old swifts were terrible too for it, that's why I got the Astra just to keep me mobile. The blue one was an 2004 but but plagued with problems since day one. Steering coupling, wishbones, roll bar snapped, rad ruptured, petrol filler rotted through, exhaust kept falling off, but I just kept fixing it. Got it for £750 but spent near that again on parts over two years. The Astra was a cheap fix at £170 and has had a new water pump, timing belt, tensioners, plugs, oil, filters etc. Stands me at about £250 which isn't bad considering the miles it's done for me already. The plate is apparently worth between £200 -£300 according to the DVLA so could possibly sell it as a number transfer option? But this new one is pristine underneath, bodywork is straight, paint is unmarked and a full history too. Being a 2.0 instead of a 1.3 or 1.4 it should handle those long trips better. And with more comfort than the previous ones too. It even has a half leather interior Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted April 21, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) Try and get a pic Edited April 21, 2017 by Lord Geordie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 Great news LG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjpainter Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 You've got some serious parallel parking skills, LG. I've always liked that vintage Laguna. Glad you're happy with it mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 Everything is coming along ok now just waiting on the transfer docs for the house being sent to my solicitor. And now a better car too, it's like all my Christmas' have came at once! When I manage to get away with the caravan "once last year" and will be twice i hope this year, i stock up on stuff for the kids who attend. Last year I took toys and silly bits! Inc glider kits, kites, balloons etc. The kids spent the whole time playing together with the stuff I took and left their phones and games consoles alone This year I have bought a Piñata, loads of toys as prizes, I have came up with games, and even retrofitted Chris' old toy fruit machine with rally spools. I have special tokens, that if won will be for prizes! Also lined up a treasure hunt, baking comp and other stuff. I know it sounds daft, but I wish I could have had more kids! This gives me a great feeling when you see them achieve things and see them happy with their well earned prizes. This year I bought Watches, flashlights, toy cars, rip cord helicopters, kites, gliders, illuminated balloons etc for them. Plus I will be doing a cinema night with hotdogs etc too. That went down really well last year! The car just came at the right time! I couldn't believe my luck at the price! The lad even drove it to my dads for me so I didn't have to much about transferring ins until the bushes are done. I had looked at them before and they were more £1200 or more for decent low mileage ones. I found a chap locally selling a tow bar on eBay for it. So slapped a cheeky bid on there as he won't post, it makes it more likely less people will bid! Who knows Never know! Maybe find someone to settle down with next too Oh yes things certainly seem to be brightening up! But even when they weren't, there was always (and always will be) a strong resolve to just do the best I can. Had a nice day out with Hawkeye again last week too on some drillings. Not a lot about, but still a great day out. His new pooch is a scream. Lovely little guy. Have to resist dog napping him And to cap it all off, bought mum a mobility scooter! It has opened up her world again. I drop her off at the shop door and leave her to it. Meet up in the aisles to transfer her stuff into the trolley and off she scoots again. Worth every penny to see her smile again. Can't wait to get her to the coast again and let her and dad race along the promenade :lol: Still can't shoot straight though The only good thing about the day was the company hardly a bird about, was a bit disappointed as i had trailed you down from Newcastle but better luck next time.. And you can keep your eye's of rocco he's a one man dog laid on my feet as I'm typing this so i cannot go without him.. He can certainly cover the ground fast for a cocker think there must be some whippet in him some where the speed he goes.. As for your shooting i keep telling you to get the barrels straightened out might hit something then... Soon be on the crows so you had better get to the clay ground and get some practice in... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 I drove a Laguna of that era and found it to be a very good drive. It was owned by a friend and had about 120k on it. It still drove like a very low mileage car and he had very little repair work done at all - had it from new. Decent motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamish64 Posted April 22, 2017 Report Share Posted April 22, 2017 Good news, hope things keep improving for you. Best Wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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