jonnyboy54321
Well-Known Member
Right, you've seen me lurking about, trying to snaffle parts. Well, here's my story:-
Am a landscaper by trade, massive car enthusiast/tinkerer, facing 2nd ankle rebuild in three years, hence trying to keep my car spendage to a sensible level. Have recently got into Saabs in a big way (which involved basically buying more projects than I would ever have the time to complete, so with the date looming I am having a bit of a fire-sale. We have a small secondary business selling good quality "first" cars - Fiestas, 206's and the likes. Not averse at all to cat c and cat d cars if they are "right".
Had a history of 4x4's as a second (my) car - ML500, Navara d40, Lexus RX300, four Discoveries, and recently, a fated p38 bought with the heart not the head. Not into the laning and all the mods that go with it - although do like a wee play in the snow...
So we had a need for something I can jump in, chuck about, that is torquey, reliable, will deal with snow, will pull a house down, and doesn't look "out of place". Needs a good towing capacity for my 2.6 ton trailer. Automatic a priority so I can stay mobile while in a cast, and cos I like them, and cos Mrs JB only passed her test in an auto. So, on the strength of my mate badgering me to buy his LC Colo d4d for two years, and when I am finally ready to he won't sell it, I bought this:-
A cat c 98 Colo GX with 127k, history unknown as cat c. No chassis damage, but slam panel/headlamp panels a bit twisted.
Got it home, runs and drives, then started searching for bits. OMG, did not realise how scare stuff is for them - after having D1, d2 and p38, I was always used to a ready supply.
Went on hol, searched in vain for bits while away. Not good.
Came back, still struggled for bits. Regretted buying. Found forums, still couldn't find bits. Had a bit of a result on a bumper, as soon as I did I started managing to find other stuff but ended up buying rad/condenser/indicators and one headlamp as new. Found a guy in Middx breaking one and asset stripped it ruthlessly.
Struggled like hell to get all gaps right as 2nd headlamp was missing thanks to an idiot courier. Finally, this week, this happened:-
- a PITA as when you don't know exactly how things are meant to go, its not easy to get gaps etc correct. To be honest I am not happy with it as I am a pedantic b*gger, so will have some more jiggery pokery at some point. Gave her the once over, booked her in, and apart from one headlamp all was good, tester likes it, its a good one he reckons. Back home with the all important bit of paper, did the online MOT check and also booked the VIC test to get a logbook so it can be taxed. MOT check showed it was a south coast car, and had been MOT'd regular at a main dealers. Spoke to them, they have loads of history inc timing belt right up to 2012 but will only send to previous owner
So when I get the logbook I will sort out a letter to p/o to ask nicely. Could be quite a result with a bit of legwork.
Found out at lunchtime there is a three week lead time to do the VIC test, and that could have booked it before it was MOT'd, not happy I didn't know that. Never mind, will try for cancellations.
So, how does she drive? Like her mileage, a couple of very light trim squeaks which I will track down. More of a concern is she has a bit of a misfire/lumpy idle, you can feel a slight miss through the truck at low revs. I think she may want engine or gearbox mountings as you can certainly feel the engine/drivetrain if you know what I mean. Love forummers thoughts on these issues....
On the to-do list panel fit improvement, find and fit - intercooler, headlamp washer, leather interior if possible, chrome edged grille, centre armrest cupholder cover, fit JVC dab single din unit with Bluetooth module that I have just stumbled across. Paint bonnet (my usual guy has put his rates up so I am looking around), fit spare set of much better wheels, fluids service (had one at Mr T last year with all brakes). Trace and resolve misfire - learn more about diseasels!!!
And, most importantly, learn more about the truck, and what needs to be done around her. To that end - I'd love some feedback/suggestions please people. Thanks for looking, hope I haven't bored you too much with my story.
Am a landscaper by trade, massive car enthusiast/tinkerer, facing 2nd ankle rebuild in three years, hence trying to keep my car spendage to a sensible level. Have recently got into Saabs in a big way (which involved basically buying more projects than I would ever have the time to complete, so with the date looming I am having a bit of a fire-sale. We have a small secondary business selling good quality "first" cars - Fiestas, 206's and the likes. Not averse at all to cat c and cat d cars if they are "right".
Had a history of 4x4's as a second (my) car - ML500, Navara d40, Lexus RX300, four Discoveries, and recently, a fated p38 bought with the heart not the head. Not into the laning and all the mods that go with it - although do like a wee play in the snow...
So we had a need for something I can jump in, chuck about, that is torquey, reliable, will deal with snow, will pull a house down, and doesn't look "out of place". Needs a good towing capacity for my 2.6 ton trailer. Automatic a priority so I can stay mobile while in a cast, and cos I like them, and cos Mrs JB only passed her test in an auto. So, on the strength of my mate badgering me to buy his LC Colo d4d for two years, and when I am finally ready to he won't sell it, I bought this:-
A cat c 98 Colo GX with 127k, history unknown as cat c. No chassis damage, but slam panel/headlamp panels a bit twisted.
Got it home, runs and drives, then started searching for bits. OMG, did not realise how scare stuff is for them - after having D1, d2 and p38, I was always used to a ready supply.
Went on hol, searched in vain for bits while away. Not good.
Came back, still struggled for bits. Regretted buying. Found forums, still couldn't find bits. Had a bit of a result on a bumper, as soon as I did I started managing to find other stuff but ended up buying rad/condenser/indicators and one headlamp as new. Found a guy in Middx breaking one and asset stripped it ruthlessly.
Struggled like hell to get all gaps right as 2nd headlamp was missing thanks to an idiot courier. Finally, this week, this happened:-
- a PITA as when you don't know exactly how things are meant to go, its not easy to get gaps etc correct. To be honest I am not happy with it as I am a pedantic b*gger, so will have some more jiggery pokery at some point. Gave her the once over, booked her in, and apart from one headlamp all was good, tester likes it, its a good one he reckons. Back home with the all important bit of paper, did the online MOT check and also booked the VIC test to get a logbook so it can be taxed. MOT check showed it was a south coast car, and had been MOT'd regular at a main dealers. Spoke to them, they have loads of history inc timing belt right up to 2012 but will only send to previous owner
So when I get the logbook I will sort out a letter to p/o to ask nicely. Could be quite a result with a bit of legwork.
Found out at lunchtime there is a three week lead time to do the VIC test, and that could have booked it before it was MOT'd, not happy I didn't know that. Never mind, will try for cancellations.
So, how does she drive? Like her mileage, a couple of very light trim squeaks which I will track down. More of a concern is she has a bit of a misfire/lumpy idle, you can feel a slight miss through the truck at low revs. I think she may want engine or gearbox mountings as you can certainly feel the engine/drivetrain if you know what I mean. Love forummers thoughts on these issues....
On the to-do list panel fit improvement, find and fit - intercooler, headlamp washer, leather interior if possible, chrome edged grille, centre armrest cupholder cover, fit JVC dab single din unit with Bluetooth module that I have just stumbled across. Paint bonnet (my usual guy has put his rates up so I am looking around), fit spare set of much better wheels, fluids service (had one at Mr T last year with all brakes). Trace and resolve misfire - learn more about diseasels!!!
And, most importantly, learn more about the truck, and what needs to be done around her. To that end - I'd love some feedback/suggestions please people. Thanks for looking, hope I haven't bored you too much with my story.
