Andy V
04-08-2003, 09:13 PM
Hello all,
We expect to be collecting our Beat (1993) on Thursday of this week having seen her on Sunday and made (almost) an impulse purchase after a test drive.
She fitted the bill very well of what my SO had been looking for in a set of wheels, so, after a bit of research on the web (where I found you all here) and weighing up the pros and cons reading through the numerous helpful messages from you all in this forum, we decided to make the move and buy her.
Thursday evening this week should see her inaugural run in our ownership from North Kent (where we used to live) to South Yorkshire (where we live now).
Insurance we've sorted through Tesco - my current insurers, "More Than" wouldn't consider insuring her. History-wise it seems she appears to have had an engine re-build after a cam-belt fiasco some time ago and hasn't seen much use since.
We're sure she'll be great fun (I've read several times of the grin factor :D ) but will perhaps not always plain sailing :eek:
I'm prepared to get my hands dirty and learn as I go but it would be useful to have a feel for the nearest place to Doncaster (even if its a hundred miles or more away) where it would be possible to get servicing and repairs carried out. Be gentle with me!
I've read here about possible problems with the distributor, the ECU and the cam-belt - any other helpful comments about experiences of Beat ownership, obtaining parts and getting practical help with the mechanical side would be of interest.
Sorry for the long first post - and wish us luck for Thursday evening's journey north!
Cheers for now,
Andy (and Pat).
We expect to be collecting our Beat (1993) on Thursday of this week having seen her on Sunday and made (almost) an impulse purchase after a test drive.
She fitted the bill very well of what my SO had been looking for in a set of wheels, so, after a bit of research on the web (where I found you all here) and weighing up the pros and cons reading through the numerous helpful messages from you all in this forum, we decided to make the move and buy her.
Thursday evening this week should see her inaugural run in our ownership from North Kent (where we used to live) to South Yorkshire (where we live now).
Insurance we've sorted through Tesco - my current insurers, "More Than" wouldn't consider insuring her. History-wise it seems she appears to have had an engine re-build after a cam-belt fiasco some time ago and hasn't seen much use since.
We're sure she'll be great fun (I've read several times of the grin factor :D ) but will perhaps not always plain sailing :eek:
I'm prepared to get my hands dirty and learn as I go but it would be useful to have a feel for the nearest place to Doncaster (even if its a hundred miles or more away) where it would be possible to get servicing and repairs carried out. Be gentle with me!
I've read here about possible problems with the distributor, the ECU and the cam-belt - any other helpful comments about experiences of Beat ownership, obtaining parts and getting practical help with the mechanical side would be of interest.
Sorry for the long first post - and wish us luck for Thursday evening's journey north!
Cheers for now,
Andy (and Pat).