Martha the Takuya

[StevenRB45]

A.C. is on 24/7 in my car with the climate control, the eco mode means it doesn't hurt fuel economy much and I found I used to have to run it uncomfortably warm in winter to keep the rear side windows clear without.

We'll see how it goes its certainly going to see enough use to keep the oil circulating.

[StevenRB45]

Some say an ARB should be attached at both ends..

Martha disagrees!



Handling is rather interesting currently.

[StevenRB45]

Fixed for 45 quid.

[StevenRB45]

Well Service and M.O.T. Time again.

Dropping out of the main dealer network this year. They've not done anything wrong particularly but I think it is time.

I'm not really saving any money by using my local independent 20 quid is neither here nor there but it's at the age I'd like it to be fully checked over.

Last year for example the tech that worked on it said "you've got some surface corrosion on the rear hard brake pipes" normally I'd expect them to clean it up and cover it with waxoyl or similar..no just told me. Cheers mate...not like it would have been the perfect opportunity when it had 4 wheels in the air and you were being paid to check it over/service it.

As it gets older it'll need proper looking after and I think they are more geared to sub 3 year old cars in warranty, and parts at Mazda are ridiculous if it needs any so despite the small price difference I'm moving away.

Experience tends to say cheap garages find expensive work that needs doing urgently. Ones that pay themselves a decent amount will advise you as to what needs doing now, what can slide for a bit and what is just not worth the effort. I've used this one for my cars for years pre this car and they've done all my suspension repairs as well so should be decent. It was heartening to be asked if the spark plugs had been done as per schedule as if not they'd be needed at the 84k my car has, so they've actually looked up the correct schedule not just generic Halfords 120 quid service.

Hopefully it'll need no work again but if it does parts and labour are about half of what Mazda charge.

[StevenRB45]

Well it's passed the MOT...not had the call as I'm not expecting it until tomorrow but MOT test check states 2021 expiration and no advisories so they've got it done this afternoon.

edit: Had the call now, no issues all done for another year 

[Willpower]

[StevenRB45]

Just realised...I've not actually put any photos of this up for nearly 2 years. Not like me at all, babies fault.

So while I do regularly talk about this car like it's a bit old and tatty...it actually looks like this.



Not often as it only gets cleaned every few months these days..but thinking about it I do tend to make it sound a bit worse than it actually is!

[red_imps_2003]

Looking really good there. Still bright white. Mine's looking a bit sorry for itself, gathering dust and cobwebs on the driveway. I jump started it a couple of weeks back but it sounded terrible as I drove it around the village and wouldn't start again when I tried again a couple of days later. It's in for service and MOT on Friday so hopefully gets the treatment it needs then. After that I will treat it to a wash and wax. If I can be arsed.

[StevenRB45]

I'm amazed how filthy a car that barely moves gets, it's been out and about more since the lockdown restrictions eased (got as far as Alnwick Gardens, Cragside and Fountains Abbey) but I'm still working from home and even so it's always got a thick coat of muck/pollen after a few days.

Not having the same issues as yours but with me being a "key" worker and the wife working for the NHS it never really stood for more than a week.

[red_imps_2003]

Replaced battery yesterday and it scraped through the MOT with just an advisory on the brake discs, which are slightly pitted with the rust that formed through prolonged lack of use. There's a persistent rotational grinding noise when in motion, but the mechanic reckons that should ease with more extended use. Nice to have it back in action, but it feels weird after using my wife's automatic for nearly five months. I really had to think about the pedals to get off the drive.

Yes, when you have got your car gleaming that showroom look fades in days. However, I am surprised at how relatively clean mine has been, having not been washed for five months+. It's cobwebs mainly.

[StevenRB45]

Post 1 edited.. but small update for those who haven't caught it elsewhere. I had said this car was getting donated to my wife, it isn't I bought a Citroën C3 (still a 3 right?). Which is a car we've had a while but is now paid up.





So mine is remaining mine, it's over 85k now, it's still hail damaged, it's still more rusty on the rear sills an arches than I'd like..and thanks to a 2 year old the interior looks moderately like a barnyard. Also the heater fan destroyed itself in November but is fixed now.




However sometimes what you need is a nice reliable 5 yard car..I.e. looks tidy enough, but isn't mint. So if anything happens you shrug your shoulders unless anything is hanging off.

That is what this car is doing now...still love it, is still a faithful family dog. With all the maintenance over the years it's had,  it runs beautifully and never gives me any concerns...body work wise there are enough issues that small dents and scuffs are not an issue same interior wise.

Will never be an museum piece will not be worth a huge amount of money to anyone (we buy any car is 2200 quid...) but I'd have to spend alot more than twice that to get something as good and well looked after so why bother?

In front of it in the rear shot...the 3rd Audi next door has had..this car has seen off 2 Porsches, 3 Audis in the time I've had it. Suppose and therein lies the lesson...you want a car to impress the neighbours buy a German you want a car to last you years...Only Japanese will do.