So my mate Dom decided to emigrate to Australia. He has an MX-5. I suggest he should sell in high summer (some months before he leaves) to get the best price. I locate (and buy) a suitable runaround for a few months. Dom procrastinates. So I press it into use for a bit.

So why so cheap? Shouldn't have been really, with 8 months' MOT, 3 months' tax and a decent stereo, new tyres and clutch. Well, the previous owner didn't help himself with his eBay auction really - minimal writeup and 3 pictures of a cowshit-covered Peugeot. Took 3 hours of cleaning before I realised it was actually white...

Occasional starting problem, caused by sticking solenoid, was the only problem with this car. Lots of little dents, rattly interior trim and a non-opening back door (soon sorted with a new handle), but a fantastic drive and 50mpg! I can live with that. Good oomph from the turbo unit. The other downside was no service history, so I got the cambelt changed and the garage asked did I realise the water pump was leaking and the wiring to the radiator fan was shot? I did not. So my £150 Peugeot became a £450 Peugeot.

I still liked it though.  So much so, in fact, that when the bloke I sold it to e-mailed me to ask if I wanted it for scrap value (as it had been sat unused for 5 months since the MOT expired), I was in there like swimwear.  It needed only a bulb to pass the MOT, and it will now be my everyday car again since I changed jobs and gave up the company SAAB.  Am I mad?

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