One out, one in

enuff_zed

enuff_zed

Lifer
 Attleborough, Norfolk
Well I have finalised the sale of 'Project Freeleeta' the 03-plate 3.0i Auto I picked up last Autumn. Not been a fast project as life has been getting in the way (damn those Caribbean holidays!)
However, found a buyer in the same town and fully expect to see the car back for any maintenance etc, in exchange for payment in the local currency of 'Adnams'.
Luckily for my sanity, if not Vall's, I already have another one on the drive to get stuck into.
This time its a 53-plate 3.0i manual, and yes, yet again, it's Black Sapphire! :roll:
Drove this one 170 miles home from the Sussex coast with no power steering, having paid well under the odds for it.
With 149k on the clock it was a prime candidate for breaking tbh, but personal circumstances, logistics, and my reticence to kill it off mean I've decided to give it another chance.
This one is going to be an experiment to see just how cheaply it can be done. Already sourced a complete set of new Sachs rear shocks, top mounts and bump stops, which were fitted to a car which was then broken within weeks. That saved me 100 quid. Eyes peeled for more bargains!
The only known cost is going to be to ECU Testing for the EPS motor (along with a prayer that they can fix it.)
Pretty sure no-one on here is going to be interested in purchasing a car with this kind of mileage, even though it will be mechanically sorted. But it will still be fun to do and I can only ask you to keep your eyes peeled for any bargain bits that I may find useful.
So, 'Project Freeleeta' is gone, long live 'Project Cheapskate'.
 
Good to hear it’s gone to a good home! Always fun to do a bit of bargain hunting. Looking forward to the updates as always :thumbsup:

Oh- and ehm…

:worthless:
 
Barty said:
Good to hear it’s gone to a good home! Always fun to do a bit of bargain hunting. Looking forward to the updates as always :thumbsup:

Oh- and ehm…

:worthless:
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Ah yeah, better get some taken tomorrow for 'Cheapskate'.

Here's one of the auto ready to go:
FB6B75B5-09C9-44CF-9DFC-0DCD14F9E202.JPG
 
Sidewaze Samm said:
Black Sapphire again!? :rofl:
Try using a filter on your searches :ebay:
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Cos they're the cheap ones.
Used to be into Fords 'any colour you like as long as it's black.'
 
Congratulations with Cheapskate, she is a beautiful skatester in black sapphire! I do not see her as cheap but I see what you supposedly mean with ‘to keep her at low cost’😉 and than be able to say ‘it is cheaper to keep her’ after some time….😁. Seriously, a great buy.
I have sent you a PM. Friendly greetings from The Netherlands.
 
WouterZZZZ said:
Congratulations with Cheapskate, she is a beautiful skatester in black sapphire! I do not see her as cheap but I see what you supposedly mean with ‘to keep her at low cost’😉 and than be able to say ‘it is cheaper to keep her’ after some time….😁. Seriously, a great buy.
I have sent you a PM. Friendly greetings from The Netherlands.
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Hope you've not confused the two? The photo is the one I've just finished.
The cheapskate one will appear tomorrow if I remember.
 
New project Zed looks like another fine place to start. :thumbsup: Edd China and little fat man eat your hearts out. :lol: :D
 
You just can't help yourself can you! :lol:

Hasn't Stuart got a steering column and motor for sale? Anyway good luck with project Cheapskate. :thumbsup:
 
Mr Tidy said:
You just can't help yourself can you! :lol:

Hasn't Stuart got a steering column and motor for sale? Anyway good luck with project Cheapskate. :thumbsup:
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Indeed he has and he has already offered it to me. TBH, I'd just swap the motor as its easier, but it needs coding I believe so I would prefer to get mine fixed if I can.
 
You seem a glutton for punishment but good for you. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but other stuff always gets in the way. Like laziness :rofl: :thumbsup:
 
Mileage doesn't matter now even if it has 150K that means nothing at this age. Service history and condition are far more important than some number on a dial. Yes some buyers may turn up their nose at mileage but then you know they don't have a clue about this engine or the cars build quality.

Cars of today are built using tin foil, paint falling off within 10 years and rust coming through on panels. Especially at the price point of an E85. Too many focus on mileage in fact I found it laughable when someone said they were selling low mileage parts and then when asked the actual mileage it was 90K miles as if that is low mileage. It goes to show you how varied opinions are on the subject.

Are we allowed to ask how much you paid or is that a secret because you buy these cars to sell on or cannibalise?
 
SonnyA85 said:
Mileage doesn't matter now even if it has 150K that means nothing at this age. Service history and condition are far more important than some number on a dial. Yes some buyers may turn up their nose at mileage but then you know they don't have a clue about this engine or the cars build quality.

Cars of today are built using tin foil, paint falling off within 10 years and rust coming through on panels. Especially at the price point of an E85. Too many focus on mileage in fact I found it laughable when someone said they were selling low mileage parts and then when asked the actual mileage it was 90K miles as if that is low mileage. It goes to show you how varied opinions are on the subject.

Are we allowed to ask how much you paid or is that a secret because you buy these cars to sell on or cannibalise?
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I keep a spreadsheet of every single thing I do to these cars and how much I've spent.
I print that and give it to the new owner.
For me this is a hobby that greatly aids my mental well-being and I only try to ensure I don't lose money.
In fact 'Project Freeleeta' only crept into profit because son-in-law leased it from me for three months. I think I would have made more on it last year, but the market has dived and I wanted it off the drive.
I made a profit of £211.04.

I bought this one for £1700, knowing it needed £295 on the EPS motor, around £450 on suspension, £100-ish on vanos overhaul plus whatever else it throws at me. My target is to be able to price it at £3k without losing money.
I'll see how that pans out. Not expecting to sell it until the spring though.
 
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