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?

Update 25.4.09: Unfortunately after just tipping over the 199,000 mile mark, the head gasket let go at the main oil feed between the head and block. Just not economic to fix, so the car was scrapped. A real shame.

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