As we're still in Lockdown (at least for the UK) and the I-Pace remains mostly parked, I thought it was time for a retrospective look back at my car history.
Headlines:
21 Vehicles
26 Years
682,000+ Miles Driven
Longest car ownership - 11.5 years
Most Miles Driven - 132,000 Miles
Those last two headline stats are most definitely NOT the same vehicle.
For the purposes of this retrospective I've considered vehicles I have owned and/or had as my primary vehicle for a few months or more. So, there's a mixture of owned, leased, borrowed and company cars ranging from 3 months to 11.5 years and from just a couple of thousand miles to 132,000. Below is a potted history and short write-up on each of the 21.
Starting with;
1979 Escort Mk2 2-door L 1.3 Petrol
Owned from 04/1994 to 07/1995
Covering around 18,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
Many
Modifications:
Many. Including Suspension and Brake upgrades, Sports Exhaust, Twin Choke carb and Mk3 Escort interior
Highlight:
Roadside fixing of a brake caliper that had sheered a bolt.
Lowlight:
Selling it
Overview:
Bought for £300 and sold for much more. (but a lot less than I spent on it)
Best car for learning on-the-job mechanics and car control. It might only have been a 1.3 but with mods it was actually pretty quick and had loads of grip until it rained.
1982 Land Rover Series 3 109" 2.25 Petrol Ex-RAF
Owned from 05/1995 to 01/1997
Covering around 30,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
Surprisingly few. The worst being a misaligned Gear Selector fork that required a rather comical AA recovery from the hills above Bolton and a few blown valves from too much time spent on poor quality fuel in its past
Modifications:
A Stereo and CB
Highlight:
Descending a steep path while offroading, sat on the back of the drivers seat to get better visibility.
Lowlight:
Selling it
Overview:
Apart from fuel and other liquids it was a great vehicle. Being ex RAF it had spent much of its life on flat terrain but had all the indicators of working in a foreign climate for a while.
I once managed to crash it without being in it too and @carlacapture will never forgive me for the time I discovered that chassis flex on full cross axle meant the handbrake ratchet wouldn't lock.
Many happy memories.
1993 Ford Mondeo Saloon, LX 1.8 Petrol
Ran from 02/1997 to 09/1997
Covering approx 21,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
It had had a hard life when I got it as a company car hand-me-down. After a few months of commuting over the Snake Pass it failed MOT and was condemned due to bent suspension arms.
Modifications:
None
Highlight:
Driving from Glasgow to Bolton non-stop while on the phone without any call dropouts (ahhhh, the analogue days)
Lowlight:
The first week I got it, before I got to give it a damn good clean
Overview:
It was my first company car. For that, it was brilliant. It was dull to drive, low spec and with well over 100,000 miles, very tired.
1997 Peugeot 306 DTurbo 1.9 Diesel
Ran from 10/1997 to 05/1999
Covering approx 74,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
Far too many to list. Including a set of Pirelli P6000's that weren't round.
A dealer that tried to repair a damaged bonnet by swapping with another, older car and a sump that I wore through.
The worst though, was a turbo oil pipe that blew. The resulting repair and steam cleaning then led to catastrophic engine failure due to a stuck Wide-Open Throttle. The repairing main dealer having failed to re-grease the throttle linkage. During the 74,000 miles I drove this car I did an additional 18,000 in hire cars while it was off the road.
Modifications:
A HUGE 'TURBO' sun strip that filled an annoying gap between the rear view mirror and the sun visor. Heated washer gets.
Highlight:
Learning lift-off oversteer and a certain favourite B-Road in the Scottish borders.
Lowlight:
Being without it and losing count of the number of trips to the dealer.
Overview:
It was my first new car. I loved driving it. The engine was strong with a snappy gear shift. the handling was crisp and direct with the aforementioned lift-off oversteer tendency. Our company fleet manager had a huge file of letters about this car, trying to get it sorted. When the engine finally let go I regretfully said I didn't want it back.
1997 Mazda 626 1.8 Petrol
Ran from 06/1999 to 11/2000
Covering approx 51,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
It let go a cam belt on one trip to the Lakes which resulted in a lengthy recovery and repair
Modifications:
None
Highlight:
The local Mazda Dealer who looked after it was actually Stratstone in Wilmslow who also looked after Aston Martin.
Their loan cars were always brand new V6 Mazdas and the service centre was in the building that used to be the Mercedes conversion company AMG in the UK where I once sat in the newly imported 500 SEL AMG of George Harrison (before he even saw it).
Lowlight:
Apart from the failure above, none really
Overview:
It was a very uninspiring car to drive. The brakes were woeful and ABS kicking in on dry roads was not uncommon. As was setting the front pads on fire coming back to Macclesfield from Sheffield.
2000 VW Bora Sport 1.9 Diesel
Ran from 12/2000 to 01/2005
Covering 132,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
Apart from having to return it to the dealer with less than 10 miles on the clock as 5th gear didn't work, resulting in a new gearbox, it was actually very reliable with one notable exception.
3 replacements turbos! see below.
Warped front discs
Modifications:
My first obsession with high-powered headlights
Highlight:
Driving at V-Max from Calais to Munich (where permitted) to collect my boss from the airport.
Lowlight:
Holing the sump and limping the car part way home on low oil. That turned out OK though.
Overview:
This was a fantastic car. It was the middle tier of power (115bhp) for the 1.9 so wasn't overly peaky in delivery and the 6-speed manual was very nice. This car ate miles. It was also the first I had with cruise control and I used it extensively. This was also the reason it ate Turbos. The long duration running on constant throttle caused a ridge of carbon to build up in the Turbo housing (variable vane turbo). If caught early enough this could be cured with a few taps of a specialist tool (long bar and hammer) but if not, the engine would go into limp mode. It did this once while towing a car trailer. That was fun.
1996 Westefield SE 1677cc Petrol
Ran from 06/2001 to 02/2004
Covering 5,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
Several but that was part of the fun. The worst one was the Diff going right in the middle of a busy junction.
Modifications:
Many. Including a complete new engine with lots of upgraded parts. A conversion from 4-speed to 5-speed and air vents to allow cool air into the Twin 40 DCOE carbs.
Highlight:
Every turn of the key was a highlight but most significant was the inaugural WSCC Coast2Coast run that we organised
Lowlight:
Discovering that the Narrow Body Westfield was too narrow for @carlacapture to drive. That also turned out OK though.
Overview:
This was a fantastic car. The only downside to it was some of the long runs showed the short gearing and lack of an overdrive. So, when I got the chance of an upgraded engine (circa 130BHP) I swapped out the old Escort 4 Speed and put in a Sierra 5-Speed box. This was a true drivers car and you could drive it flat out with ease.
2002 Westfield SEiGHT 3600cc Petrol
Ran from 03/2004 to 07/2015
Covering 10,500 miles
Faults and Failures:
Many. It leaked like a sieve for all oil types.
The worst issue (or at least hardest to solve) was an occasional miss-fire going round roundabouts that eventually became engine dies on sharp right-handers. After a LONG time diagnosing the issue it turned out to be a battery cable clipped too tightly to a chassis rail and it was being pulled apart when the engine leaned over on its mounts.
Modifications:
Full Intercom system and footwell cooling. Various attempts at fixing leaks but eventually just added a diff filler tube into the boot
Highlight:
Driving at night in the dark with the flames from the exhaust lighting up the nighttime. Oh, and the 3,500 mile trip across the South West States of America in 2005. The single biggest adventure in a car I could imagine
Lowlight:
Getting the car back from the USA after the tour, covered in mould and grime and not being able to clean it due to a health issue. The same health issue that ultimately forced us to sell it.
Overview:
This was the best car I have ever driven.
The huge reserves of torque and power (circa 300BHP/Tonne) meant you could slip quietly through a sleepy village at engine idle in 5th and when the National Speed Limit sign appeared, drop 3 gears and unleash mighty fury. It was a handful in damp and wet conditions but, with respect, could be amazing fun.
2005 Skoda Octavia Ambiente 1.9 Diesel
Ran from 02/2005 to 03/2006
Covering 33,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
A loose connection on the rear washer resulting in a flooded boot and corroded rear loom
Modifications:
None
Highlight:
None
Lowlight:
Realising I couldn't drive it due to back issues and the lack of lower lumbar support in the drivers seat.
Overview:
As a replacement to the VW Bora, this was ideal. Very high spec with superb Harmon Kardon sound system upgrade. Short-lived due to back issues.
2006 Kia Magentis Auto 2.0 Petrol
Ran from 04/2006 to 10/2006
Covering 15,250 miles
Faults and Failures:
None
Modifications:
None
Highlight:
Comfy Leather seats
Lowlight:
Being so woefully under-powered it would have to kick-down to 3rd to go up a hill on the motorway
Overview:
Dull
2006 Seat Altea Sport DSG 1.9 Diesel
Ran from 11/2006 to 12/2008
Covering 60,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
None
Modifications:
de-badged
Highlight:
None
Lowlight:
None
Overview:
Considering the lack of high (or low) light, I actually really enjoyed this car. It had the same engine as the Skoda in a smaller car with the terrific DSG gearbox. It was comfy too as well as a good spec.
1999 Daihatsu Terios 1.3 Petrol
Ran from 01/2009 to 04/2009
Covering 2,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
None
Modifications:
None
Highlight:
Driving it home in bad snow on the M6 with other much more expensive cars struggling around me.
Lowlight:
None
Overview:
It was a loaner (thanks Mum) and very much not my choice but it served its purpose as an all-round photographers hack for a few months.
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander 1.8 Auto (LPG)
Ran from 05/2009 to 06/2010
Covering 26,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
None
Modifications:
Converted to LPG
Highlight:
None
Lowlight:
None
Overview:
A failry un-inspring car to drive but highly practical. The LPG conversion meant low running costs and good residual value to trade up.
2006 Nissan Pathfinder Aventura 4.0 V6 (LPG)
Ran from 07/2010 to 09/2011
Covering 28,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
A broken rear spring, see below
Modifications:
Converted to LPG, K&N induction kit, Re-Mapped ECU and large bore exhaust
Highlight:
Taking it camping in the lakes with the drive-away awning tent where we slept in the back of the car. On the weekend we got engaged.
Lowlight:
Overly ambitious LPG conversion with no known history
Overview:
Loved this car. It was comfy, well spec'd. Fantastic road presence and with the Modified 4.0 V6 out of the 350Z it was quick enough too. Very reluctant to get rid. The only issue was availability of some parts. When we broke a rear spring the part had to be imported from Japan. There were only ever 9 of these Aventura V6's sold out of a total of only 33 V6 Pathfinders in the UK. As such, the conversion to LPG made mine unique and a leap into the unknown when it came to mapping and fuelling. The biggest problem came from finding the right spark plugs which would work under both petrol and LPG without overheating
2009 Mercedes C200 Saloon 2.1 Diesel
Ran from 10/2011 to 12/2011
Covering 2,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
Battery failure
Modifications:
None
Highlight:
None
Lowlight:
None
Overview:
It was an inherited company car, not my choice but acted as a good benchmark to show how much improved the mid-model refresh was with the addition of magnetic dampers and new gearbox.
2011 Mercedes C220 Estate Elegance 2.1 Diesel
Ran from 12/2011 to 12/2015
Covering 96,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
None
Modifications:
None
Highlight:
Loading it up with everything for the wedding and honeymoon. A proper work-horse
Lowlight:
None
Overview:
A great workhorse. Superb ride, smooth engine and really good spec. The only downside was an inability to downshift the gearbox in manual mode. Made up for slightly by the ability to left-foot brake on-throttle for launch starts (or burnout)
2002 Range Rover Vogue 4.0 Petrol
Ran from 01/2016 to 08/2016
Covering 2,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
Plenty. Lots of small Electrical issues including once it locked me out with no way of getting in. Plus, eventually the gearbox started to fail.
Modifications:
None
Highlight:
Preparing the car for sale after it had been stored on a farm for years.
Lowlight:
None
Overview:
It was a loaner (thanks David). It was typically V8 Range Rover. A mixture of very good and truly awful. The P36 Range rover was a hybrid love child of the Land Rover and BMW groups. The engine being from an X5 but the vehicle was designed with a Ford V8 in mind. The various Electrical Control Units being mashed together with spliced wiring looms. It was a pain to work on and everyday was a new challenge to figure out.
2015 Toyota Auris Estate 1.8 Hybrid
Ran from 09/2016 to 04/2017
Covering 18,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
None
Modifications:
LED Headlights
Highlight:
Terrific MPG
Lowlight:
Boring
Overview:
As a high mileage hack for a weekly commute to South Wales this was a great vehicle. It was comfy, easy to drive and had terrific spec, including a really deep metallic paint. The infotainment felt out of step with the age of the vehicle but the systems around the hybrid worked well. It came unstuck though when the weekly commute shifted to Glasgow. Instead of slow moving traffic and congested motorway the route was all 70 mph motorway and plenty of hills so the previous 57mpg average plummeted to less than 45mpg
2010 Jaguar XF-S 3.0 V6 Diesel
Ran from 05/2017 to 05/2018
Covering 22,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
Rear suspension components mainly. Bushes and a wishbone. The bonnet latch also went which led to several false alarm triggers.
Modifications:
Induction kit and upgraded headlights
Highlight:
Any time you pointed it a a Scottish B-Road
Lowlight:
Selling it
Overview:
Loved this car. The engine was simply superb. A twin turbo, larger capacity version of the V6 Diesel from the Land Rover Discovery. Silk smooth with tons of torque. Gearbox could be controlled manually but never felt like it needed to be. Huge brakes and tyres meant it could stop and corner with ease too. Only let down by the speed and interface of the infotainment system (waiting for the system to power up to select heated seats from a sub-menu....). A shame that a lot of warranty work looked to be on the horizon and the cost of the warranty was prohibitive. Held its value well though
2015 Audi RSQ3 2.5 Petrol
Ran from 05/2018 to 08/2019
Covering 23,000 miles
Faults and Failures:
2 sets of discs
Replacement Gearbox
Replacement Fuel Pump
Modifications:
Exhaust resonator delete
Highlight:
Walking up to it under artificial light, showing off the ceramic coating
Lowlight:
More failures than you'd expect and 'RS' service pricing
Overview:
This car needed and ASBO. On the go, in Dynamic mode it sounded lovely and it was quick but.... The cold start with exhaust valve open and artificially induced misfire was completely unnecessary. The gearbox was never smooth and hill starts when cold were a gamble. The handling was twitchy, it had grip but no poise. It didn't offer confidence but yet wanted to go quick everywhere. It was a bad decision to buy, I should've held out for the SQ5 I wanted.
2019 Jaguat I-Pace HSE EV
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