[Dave KG]

I've long been a fan of Astras, my first car was an Lreg Mk3 1.4 LSi (C14SE engine) in Cosmos blues - many fond memories of that old car! Now I drive a Volvo S60, great for long haul



However, I've been meaning to get myself an old car, for as cheap as possible, to use for detailing product testing and also as a project for how to turn around a car in a sorry state... so what better than to find an unloved Astra that nobody wanted?!! Car will be used for product testing, trialling new detailing techniques and for training of folk on detailing tuition days



And here it is... Cost me £75 ($150), got tax and ticket (plus new bushes, suspension arms, suspension top mounts and brake pipes to get it through is MOT a few months ago) - its a 1.4 Swing, M reg (1994).

















Interior a bit... messy:














Yup, the elastic band is there... neoprene rocker cover gasket is weaping oil, a common fauly on the old 4cyl 8v GM family engines used in these cars (and others) - many just leave it to weap, it looks a lot but in truth equates to no more than about 50ml of oil between fills so you wouldn't notice it on the stick... But - as the gasket only costs £5, and takes about 10 mins to replace, I'll be doing that too










It starts and drives good too - no nasty noises from engine, only 95k on clock anyway...

First challenge will be for entertainment value... just how much can a car like this be transformed with some dedicated detailing... we certainly have some swirls to play with:










The car was owned by a good friend's flat mate who has moved to Turin and no longer needed the car, she was just going to scrap it - shame to see it go to waste that way, so I thought I'd give it a good home... Looking forward to getting stuck in to it

	AGO Auto Geek Online (forum)

[LanceM]

nice pick up. Does it run?

[Dave KG]

Yup, starts and drives. No knocks or rattles, and recently replaces suspension parts Has tax on it, and MOT as well (which in the UK, a car is tested for roadworthiness every year).. It drove 40 miles to the unit yesterday without any trouble

[detaildoc]

Oh man, I can't wait to see the after pics on that one. Start by fixing the steering wheel, it is supposed to be on the left side.

[Denzil]

Sweet pick up there Dave! I can't wait to see you turn that entire vehicle around, hehe.

[matrix_808]

Ya can't wait to see some product testing on that thing.

[Nica]

Oooh great vehicle for testing, I'm looking forward on seeing what you come up with Dave

By the way not a bad vehicle if you ask me best of all great price

[FMINUS]

wow $150. what a steal!

[P1et]

This is going to be awesome Dave!

I always wondered why you can get cars for so cheap in Europe when even in the US you cannot get the largest heap for less than $1,000.

I was just on Autotrader.co.uk earlier and looking at all the Mk1 and Mk2 Golfs for less than 100 pounds...

JEALOUSY!!!

[Dave KG]

Originally Posted by P1et

This is going to be awesome Dave!

I always wondered why you can get cars for so cheap in Europe when even in the US you cannot get the largest heap for less than $1,000.

I was just on Autotrader.co.uk earlier and looking at all the Mk1 and Mk2 Golfs for less than 100 pounds...

JEALOUSY!!!

Cheap till you come to put petrol in them, and tax them alas...

But yes, what you can pick up for under £500 is quite amazing if you buy carefully