Taking stock of all the factors I reckon it is time to part with the pug. I acquired it at a time I was doing a pretty high mileage in a bit of a gas guzzler [1] and having to park in some really pikey areas. I calculated that taking in to account what I paid for it [2] and allowing for tax, insurance (TPFT v. low for an old fart in an old slow car) and repairs etc. (with virtually no depreciation with a bit of luck) every 1000 miles I did in it: a) Saved me in fuel costs (45 mpg rather than 25 - OK have to factor in the extra cost of diesel over petrol). b) Saved me on additional depreciation on No 1 car by keeping the mileage down. c) Saved me on service costs - pug done by me or v. cheap local garage. No. 1 car by franchised dealer to ensure no warranty problems. d) Saved me the worry of looking anxiously for key gouges and the like every time I came back to the car park (the one where I had a radio stolen in broad daylight from an alarmed car). No. 1 car has been replaced with a diesel estate that does just as well on fuel as the pug (despite producing 140BHP when called on). I reckon I have already passed my break even point so every mile I do is an additional bonus but the reasons for having it have receded to the point that it makes more sense to flog it. To my delight it got through its second MoT in my ownership with nothing to do last month and so the time is right. So, a 94 Peugeot 306 XLD 5 door in white. 107,000 on the clock but an HPI check I did when I found it languishing not far from home with a hand written for sale sign suggests possibly as much as 150,000 in reality. Four Goodyears with less than 5000 miles plus a very good spare. New HD Calcium battery a year ago. CD head unit (luxurious eh?). New timing belt last year to ensure it didn't pop its clogs during the MoT emissions test. The notoriously flaky 306 phase I alarm/immobiliser has been neutered. Needs a set of glow plugs and ideally a new thermostatically controlled fast idle jobby (although if you know the knack this not that much of an issue). Seats, windows, door hinges as you would expect in a 150,000 miler mass produced french car. Having said that I have become strangely fond of it, and it has been one of the more reliable cars I have owned. Anyway, anyone the remotest bit interested? [1] OK I admit it, the Gentleman's SUV - Honda CRV. The reason ? Towing bike trailer with two bikes off muddy hill climb paddocks and a large hired box trailer for DIY furniture moving on french rural roads in winter conditions. [2] The pug had 17 inch alloy wheels with only part worn reasonably competent tires on it which I sold on Ebay for nearly 50% of what I paid for the car. Oh and location West Midlands. -- +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Pete Fisher at Home: | | Voxan Roadster Moto Guzzi Mille GT/Squire RS3 Gilera Nordwest | | Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+
