The Car Thread.

[JDL]

All sorted ages ago. The insurance company (the Alfa specialist, not the one I use) wanted to scrap my car, but my specialist emphasised the rarity and condition of my car. If it was a rusty old banger it would be a different story.

As the spray was carried outside by a separate coachworks, I kept drumming into my specialist "do not go by the paint code, I want it 'time worn' like the rest of the car". They produced a pretty good job.

I repaired a dent in my Chrysler. I did a decent job but, (BUT!!), I bought the paint using the code and it doesn't match at all. Ha ha. We live and learn huh....

 

[plastic penguin]

I repaired a dent in my Chrysler. I did a decent job but, (BUT!!), I bought the paint using the code and it doesn't match at all. Ha ha. We live and learn huh....

Yup, that's the problem. You could go to a auto paint specialist with a sample of your existing paint and use a digital thingy which gives as close as possible to the original paint mix.

There was no way I wanted 2024 paint matched to 2005 paint. It would stick out like a carrot in a omelette 😋

 

[JDL]

Yup, that's the problem. You could go to a auto paint specialist with a sample of your existing paint and use a digital thingy which gives as close as possible to the original paint mix.

There was no way I wanted 2024 paint matched to 2005 paint. It would stick out like a carrot in a omelette 😋

Can you take the car if you haven't got a sample?

 

[JDL]

Can you take the car if you haven't got a sample?

Yes my repair sticks out like a carrot in an omelette!

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Yup, that's the problem. You could go to a auto paint specialist with a sample of your existing paint and use a digital thingy which gives as close as possible to the original paint mix.

There was no way I wanted 2024 paint matched to 2005 paint. It would stick out like a carrot in a omelette 😋

Recently had a couple of small bits of corrosion attended to by a local one man band - absolutely flawless job. Had seen his work before though - not sure I'd have found it as easy to trust otherwise.

 

[plastic penguin]

Recently had a couple of small bits of corrosion attended to by a local one man band - absolutely flawless job. Had seen his work before though - not sure I'd have found it as easy to trust otherwise.

Some are really good, others can be less than.

This colour I had matched was for a bloke in the village, who's got a 1994 Ford Fiesta 1.3. I carried out a few small jobs, incl the paint around the scuttles and replacing his number plates and resetting the tappets. It was quite a satisfying job. I wouldn't say the paint job was flawless but from 20 feet away you couldn't tell the difference between the old and new.

 

[plastic penguin]

Can you take the car if you haven't got a sample?

Yes. They just put the machine against several random areas of the bodywork. It's like a light meter that gives you the closest colour mix, regardless of age of the car.

 

[DougK1]

I just bought a rattle can from Halfords when I did mine Didn't need a perfect job so did it myself.

 

[plastic penguin]

I just bought a rattle can from Halfords when I did mine Didn't need a perfect job so did it myself.

Halfords are good if you want a rattle can with the original paint code. But older cars have faded paintwork. I'd rather spend a little more and get the exact colour match.

 

[plastic penguin]

I repaired a dent in my Chrysler. I did a decent job but, (BUT!!), I bought the paint using the code and it doesn't match at all. Ha ha. We live and learn huh....

What you need to do a really good spray job: wet and dry paper, microfiber cloth, primer, tak cloth**, paper and masking tape, matching colour match rattle can** and a tin of clear lacquer.

** Not available from Halfords.

 

[DougK1]

Halfords are good if you want a rattle can with the original paint code. But older cars have faded paintwork. I'd rather spend a little more and get the exact colour match.

Of course you needed an exact colour match, I would if I had a car as rare as yours. Mine is just a method of transport for me, a way to get from A to B. Apart from tin-worm and minor electrical issues it has been incredibly reliable and long may it continue. I doubt my next car will be as dependable so I'll try and keep this one going as long as possible.

 

[Gray]

Mine is just a method of transport for me, a way to get from A to B.

So is mine.
My interest in cars and hi-fi are at two very distant ends of the spectrum.
(Has always, will always, be the way for me).

 

[plastic penguin]

Of course you needed an exact colour match, I would if I had a car as rare as yours. Mine is just a method of transport for me, a way to get from A to B. Apart from tin-worm and minor electrical issues it has been incredibly reliable and long may it continue. I doubt my next car will be as dependable so I'll try and keep this one going as long as possible.

Yeah, tin worm is a blight with most steel cars. I've had mine fastidiously underseal and - touch wood - it's been clear of any nasty grot, fairly unusual for these 156s, especially as its never been garaged.

Your car sounds ideal for your daily needs.

 

[plastic penguin]

This is interesting survey by Warrantywise of the 10 most unreliable cars. Is your car there? Oddly a few electric cars appear.

View: https://youtu.be/lu4-tXJZxi0?si=fkweCIa5ZQ7hI-Zv

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Curious to see what's in there, but having seen one of his videos before I can't make myself watch another!

 

[Friesiansam]

Curious to see what's in there, but having seen one of his videos before I can't make myself watch another!

Direct link to the original site:

Top 10 Least Reliable Used Car Makes and Models

We have revealed the top 10 least reliable used car makes and models, so you will be in the know when it comes to buying your next car.

www.warrantywise.co.uk

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Thanks for that. It doesn't feel desperately useful to me:

- Cars like Ferrari and McLaren will tend to have smaller mileages than mainstream stuff - so it might actually be that they last as long in years between needing a repair than more mainstream stuff. Ditto repair costs are going to be higher because the base cost of everything in such a car is higher.

- Work needing doing doesn't necessarily mean reliability to my way of thinking. Reliability is your car not working - there's no data about whether these were those sort of faults.

I suspect stuff from What Car? is probably more informative - not that I read it.

 

[plastic penguin]

Direct link to the original site:

Top 10 Least Reliable Used Car Makes and Models

We have revealed the top 10 least reliable used car makes and models, so you will be in the know when it comes to buying your next car.

www.warrantywise.co.uk

None of those are on the 10 in the video.

Audi, BMW, Tesla and Range Rover/Land Rover don't come out too well. The only Italian car on the list is Maserati Levante.

The one you've shown is from 2020.

 

[Friesiansam]

None of those are on the 10 in the video.

Audi, BMW, Tesla and Range Rover/Land Rover don't come out too well. The only Italian car on the list is Maserati Levante.

The one you've shown is from 2020.

That’s the only unreliability list on the Warrantywise website, as far as I can see, there is, however a 2024 reliabilty list. Like 12th said, not the most useful.

BTW, I also don’t watch Carwow videos, presenters are much too annoying.

 

[plastic penguin]

That’s the only unreliability list on the Warrantywise website, as far as I can see, there is, however a 2024 reliabilty list. Like 12th said, not the most useful.

BTW, I also don’t watch Carwow videos, presenters are much too annoying.

I didn't post the vid because they annoying or not, thought it's a credible alternative to the common consensus. Several German cars, two Musky cars, Range Rovers.

It's a bit more interesting than the average car review you often find in a sea unknown herberts.

 

[Friesiansam]

I didn't post the vid because they annoying or not, thought it's a credible alternative to the common consensus. Several German cars, two Musky cars, Range Rovers.

It's a bit more interesting than the average car review you often find in a sea unknown herberts.

I watch VERY few reviews of anything on YouTube. Better things to do than searching through a giant, festering haystack, to find the very few shiny needles...

 

[plastic penguin]

I watch VERY few reviews of anything on YouTube. Better things to do than searching through a giant, festering haystack, to find the very few shiny needles...

Okay. I won't bother anymore. (Shrugs shoulders)

 

[plastic penguin]

What is wrong with people these days? The poor owners must be broken.

(Posted on the Alfa Facebook page)

 

[DougK1]

What is wrong with people these days? The poor owners must be broken.

(Posted on the Alfa Facebook page)

There are some right aholes about. Mindless vandalism by ruddy morons.

 

[plastic penguin]

There are some right aholes about. Mindless vandalism by ruddy morons.

Can't see the insurance companies coughing up, so two owners pride and joy will end up at the scrapyard.

These thugs are parasites.