Project Stop Gap

Started by Jimbo, February 2, 2021, 18:51

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Jimbo

Hello,

So after a few months and much lurking I did what any sensible person would do and bought a car blind of the internet, specifically this one: 03 plate dark blue with hard top. Malcolm seemed like a very nice gentleman which put me right at ease, and obviously enjoyed the car so I'm sure I'll do the same.

First impressions - it's a car! I had about 5 minutes as my son had just got home and I was in the middle of making dinner. And now it's dark ::) But it drove fine off the trailer and from the brief sit in the drivers seat fishing out the spare keys and documentation it's very nice. Feels quite spacious compared to the Smart Roadster! Will have a good rummage through the paperwork this evening.

Next jobs; insurance, tax, a baby seat for the little one then figure out how to take the middle out of the buckets and get a pram that will fit ;D Then maybe cheering her up a bit. The two things that put me off initially were her being blue (simply because we already have a blue car!) and looking a bit dull with the dark wheels and black interior.

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Expenses log:
Ignoring standard costs (tax, insurance, mot).
  • Toyota service kit (inc oil) - £36.11
  • Yuasa YBX5053 - £64.49
  • LUK clutch kit - £53.80
  • Driveshaft oil seal set - £24.99
  • Red Line MT90 75w90 Gl-4 Transmission Oil - £50.82
  • Full service & clutch change - £557.35
  • Rear tyres: Avon ZV7 215/45 R16 V £177.98
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Call the midlife!

Welcome. Middle out of buckets??
60% of the time it works everytime...

Jimbo

Oh and "Project Stop Gap" is intended to be a 3 year project. Before the first lockdown I was looking at fun cars to take the little one out in. There was a rather nice Caterham 160 up north in Aston Martin Green. I got myself a new credit card ready to max it out (and then some), before not being able to travel and realising that you can't get baby seats narrow enough and a baby is also not going to keep ear defenders on... So plan B commenced and I ended up deciding on an MR2. So when he's old enough to fit in a booster seat I'll be re-evaluating the situation, for now I've got a fun car for the two of us to go on outings.
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Jimbo

Quote from: Call the midlife! on February  2, 2021, 18:54Welcome. Middle out of buckets??
I read somewhere that you could disassemble the area between the buckets to 'fit a golf bag in'. Fingers crossed or he's going to be on my back when he's too tired to toddle around!
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Joesson

#4
Quote from: Jimbo on February  2, 2021, 18:57
Quote from: Call the midlife! on February  2, 2021, 18:54Welcome. Middle out of buckets??
I read somewhere that you could disassemble the area between the buckets to 'fit a golf bag in'. Fingers crossed or he's going to be on my back when he's too tired to toddle around!

I believe you will find it's the ends of the area that are moveable to allow "long" item access.

PS
Be aware that the parcel shelf can be moved up and down but movement is limited.
With the hard top on I believe that restricts the shelf movement as the soft top is down and occupying part of the bin area.
With hard top off and the soft top up the bin area is maximised as the shelf can be moved up.

Call the midlife!

Aaaah, no, sorry, you can take the end panels out to make the storage area wider/longer but the centre hump is part of the chassis. It's the clearance tunnel for the gear linkage and handbrake cables.
60% of the time it works everytime...

Carolyn

#6
Welcome, Jim??

It's pretty obvious that you haven't yet been able to fully explore the car in daylight!

The 'buckets' you refer to (I take it are the two locker doors behind the seats),  when you open them you'll discover it's all one space.  As Joesson says, there are a couple of little plastic panels at each end that can be popped out to slightly enlarge the available space. 

Do let us know how you get on finding a baby carriage that will go in there!

I think (in the daylight) the blue with black wheels might grow on you. I think it's a lovely blue.

When you get a little time, (regardless of history) give her some love in the shape of fresh oil and filter, and an air filter, and she'll love you back for it.

Have fun.
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s12vea

Another one won't hurt  .....

Topdownman

Congratulations on the purchase.

Over time you will get used to being creative with what luggage you take with you and how you pack it.

You can get a bootlid rack so could always get one of those for a while if needed?

If you plan any mods, make sure you seek your insurance quotes with them included as they may accept a mod or two to get your business. Once you have taken out the policy they will rip you off for any small change (if they even allow any).
"Racing" tax disc holder (binned), Poundland air freshener, (ran out), Annoying cylinder deficiency,  (sorted),
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Jimbo

Thanks all - yes will have an explore tomorrow lunch and see what she looks like inside and out. And getting intouch with the mobile mechanic for a service should be on my todo list as well :)

Quote from: Carolyn on February  2, 2021, 19:08Welcome, Jim??
It's actually Mark (popped that in my signature now), Jimbo's just the online handle I've been using forever.
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Jimbo

Tax and insurance sorted (Chris Knott were very competitive and only £15 admin fee for when I move, half of others!) so I'm on the road >:D

Second impressions: brum brum brum brum brum ;D

Managed 5.2 miles to the petrol station and back. I should probably add a 'rattle' to the above sounds effects, she's not a new car after all! Couple of noises from the trim inside but nothing mechanical sounding which is good. Only got up to 40 as per the speed limits around me, but certainly no slow poke at getting there! Clutch is fairly high but didn't take long to get used to and I stopped over-reving at every junction. Brakes work well, not a massive range but easy enough to slow down gently or to give them an extra push for something more sudden. Steering nice and direct. No issues with the suspension over the speed bumps of which there are many before I get out of the residential areas, though rattles inside over poor road surfaces. Still hard-top on, and it did start raining part way round so glad I didn't do anything crazy. Might have to stay that way until I get a bit of time to figure everything out with the plugs and how best not to scratch it between the front drive and the shed (will be easier when I move to somewhere with a garage!).

All in all I'm a happy chappy 8)

Will need to get back to my shopping list over the weekend, probably going to drop in one of these bad boys to really add to the racing feel:


Bucket space doesn't look too bad at all so will have a proper measure for pushchairs. Plan B is the generous footwell with the passenger seat all the way back (which it will be). I did find one mention of a "Petite Star Zia" fitting in an MR2 but it didn't say which gen (though did say boot...). @danp2 mentioned a Maclaren pushchair back in 2013 here: topic=40023#msg503420 so I know it can be done :)
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Jimbo

Frustration would be the word of the week, but not with the car at least!

The car seat is too wide on the base to fit flat into the car and Cosatto are being annoying re returns so it's currently boxed up in the spare bedroom/office taking up space with me unable to afford a replacement this month until I get a refund. Will post about seats that fit once I can buy one again.

We had planned on a long trip in the MR2 yesterday with the +1 rather than the wee one to view houses around Exeter yesterday, but we got the call from the nursery saying he's had funny nappies (just teething) but had to be taken home and kept away for 48 hours. So we were in the Sandero instead :(

I did manage a short drive last week down to Euro-car-parts and back to click and collect wipers and some cloths for inside, queue was really long so I headed home and ordered for delivery instead!

Looking forward to a proper drive once lockdown is over!
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

tricky1138

I cant remember the make of car seat I have in mine, but I remember there being quite a few that didnt fit. Exactly as you say - the base of the child seat doesnt fit.

I also remember someone at our Ding Day looking for a car seat, and I'm sure he got a Recaro child seat.

I'd say the best bet is to go to a shop and ask if you can try them in the car (I know its not that easy at the min.)
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Jimbo

Quote from: tricky1138 on February 19, 2021, 11:06I'd say the best bet is to go to a shop and ask if you can try them in the car (I know its not that easy at the min.)

Haha yes that's the frustration! The search on the forum through up some ones that fitted going back many years so hope is not lost :)
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

scm2004red

Glad you found one Mark, I seem to recall you had a Smart coupe at one time, I imagine very similar storage limitations.
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Jimbo

Quote from: scm2004red on February 19, 2021, 13:56Glad you found one Mark, I seem to recall you had a Smart coupe at one time, I imagine very similar storage limitations.

Not even close actually! I had a coupe with the 'bubble back' so loads of room in the back (with the roof on) and a reasonable front boot. It seemed longer (but narrower) inside so got stuff behind the seats comfortably as well. Plenty of camping trips with a 5 person tent, camping chairs, BBQ and all the paraphernalia.

But this certainly wasn't bought to be a practical car as there are 3 of us now! ;D
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Jimbo

And the hardtop is off. Ready for a run to Exeter area tomorrow for house viewing (second time lucky!). Soft top went up, but of a struggle even after leaving it for an hour, wasn't exactly warm it mind!
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Jimbo

Hardtop cover and tidied in the shed:
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Hopefully get some nice pictures with the top down tomorrow 8)
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

tricky1138

Forgot to reply earlier. Was in the garage at the weekend and remembered about the car seat.

Mines a Britax, but can't remember the model.

I'll be on the hunt for a new one soon as she's nearly outgrown it. Might (hopefully) get this summer out of it!

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2004 FL, Black, Matt Brace, Team Dynamics Monza R, Tein Springs, TTE Exhaust, heated black leather seats, black leather armrest,  Zunsport grills, Midship front badge,  TRD spoiler, Halo DRLs with LED fogs, large clear wind defector, Krissg kick panels,  small mongos.

Jimbo

Cool thanks for that. I was hoping for one of the group 1-3 combination seats, guess it might be spending a bit more to get one. Still waiting for Cosatto to get back to me, will just be applying for a refund from my bank shortly so purchasing are on hold until the next pay cheque/credit card bill rolls around
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Jimbo

On the plus side the car made it down to Exeter way and back today. In the minus side we had persistent drizzle of rain so no roof down fun. Our the super minus side it looks like I'll need a new clutch imminently. Revs go up without acceleration when changing up on the move, then bites and starts to pull. Took it easy on the gas pedal once I noticed as I didn't want it getting any worse. Will evaluate finances and contact my mechanic as I've been meaning to get a service booked in soon anyway.
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

1979scotte

Quote from: Jimbo on March  3, 2021, 21:09On the plus side the car made it down to Exeter way and back today. In the minus side we had persistent drizzle of rain so no roof down fun. Our the super minus side it looks like I'll need a new clutch imminently. Revs go up without acceleration when changing up on the move, then bites and starts to pull. Took it easy on the gas pedal once I noticed as I didn't want it getting any worse. Will evaluate finances and contact my mechanic as I've been meaning to get a service booked in soon anyway.

Drive faster.
Above 60 dry as a bone guaranteed above 40 is reasonably dry.

New clutch?
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moca2cv

Hello :) bit late to the party but check out the Mothercare XSS stroller if you're still after something... super tiny folded up.

Jimbo

Quote from: moca2cv on March  4, 2021, 01:35Hello :) bit late to the party but check out the Mothercare XSS stroller if you're still after something... super tiny folded up.

Looks to be quite a markup on these second hand now Mothercare has gone under!
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

Jimbo

Quote from: 1979scotte on March  3, 2021, 21:17Drive faster.
Above 60 dry as a bone guaranteed above 40 is reasonably dry.
Haha - fine until you're in a 30 or 20 zone then, or sat at a roundabout! Even the motorway was a bit start and stop at times and it was chucking it down then. Don't think the other half would have been happy :))

Quote from: 1979scotte on March  3, 2021, 21:17New clutch?
Yeah slipping pretty bad under load. Having only got up-to 40mph due to the local roads being urban and lockdown not found out until the proper drive yesterday. Most noticeable when going from a 30 zone to national or joining the motorway. Wasn't driving hard as I'm not familiar with the car so was just playing getting up-to speed promptly on straight roads. Was gentle with it once I was pretty certain it wasn't just my inability to change gear - didn't want to worry the other half as it wouldn't be the first time we've been stuck at the side of the road in a silly car...
Mark - Project Stop Gap - 03 Roadster in blue

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