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I was contacted a couple of weeks ago by a forum member (wishes to remain anonymous) asking if I would like a bigger car. They have bought a new car and their old one will be available in a week or two should I want it. After a lot of guilt ridden thoughts (with all the effort involved sorting the gnusmobile and getting it to me), I said yes. I hope no one is offended with this decision.
The car is a 2000 silver astra estate. It has mot til next Feb and the only issues with it is the rear wiper and the air con don't work. With this car being bigger I hope it will suit us a bit better and everyone will be able to travel a bit less cramped.
Aside from the oil leak (which has gotten worse but keeping an eye on it and topping up regularly) there are no new issues. It has been a joy to own and drive. It has taken us to the peak district and to London, add to that the countless local journeys it has truly been a blessing. Thankyou to you all for making it happen.
Only 2 questions remain. Where is the gnusmobile going from here? And what name shall be given to the new car? Thankyou all again for enabling us as a family to have those difficult but memorable trips and for making our daily lives that bit easier.
I can't see anyone being offended by you taking up the offer of the new car. It sounds like the right thing to do. Good luck with it.
I say stick the gnusmobile on gumtree and see if you can get a couple of hundred quid for it and take the kids out for the day.
I can’t see anyone being offended by you taking up the offer of the new car. It sounds like the right thing to do. Good luck with it.
I say stick the gnusmobile on gumtree and see if you can get a couple of hundred quid for it and take the kids out for the day.
This would be my instinct.
Two words:
Banger racing 😎
Pay it forward if anyone knows of a good cause.
Or sell it and spend cash on family.
Or maybe speak to the local fire station as they may want it to practice their cabriolet skills!
How ungrateful!
Nah, I don't think anybody expected you to keep the Yaris forever. Hope it can find a use 🙂
Oh yeah, nice one from the Astra supplier.
There are some fantastic people on here.
Nobody would be upset by this. Go for it gnusmas.
Enjoy your new car.
the only issues with it is the rear wiper and the air con don’t work.
I could maybe take a look?
Let me know how much and when...
Sisters in dire straights n I'm looking for a car for her.
Her focus caught fire...
Sell the Yaris and use the money to do something nice. Also, it's never gonna win in a banger race, so let it keep running a few more years... It will make someone else happy and is already manufactured, so probably more environmentally responsible to keep it running than build a new car.
I say sell it and use the few quid to get the astra issues fixed.
Sell the car for not very much, enough for you to get a day out but cheap enough for someone else to benefit from some good fortune. That way you keep the karma going!
db
Subscriber
Pay it forward if anyone knows of a good cause.
I am not looking to profit from the car, maybe I should have made it a bit clearer on the original post. After all the kindness shown to me throughout everything, the last thing I want is to gain anything when it could help somebody else out, much the same as it has for all of us. I agreed with andrewh and his wife when it all began, when and if I get another car the gnusmobile will be passed on to the next owner.
With all that in mind and hopefully a bit clearer (sorry) where is it going next?
RE the Astra's air con. It probably just needs recharging, £40-50 at a garage
If you are looking to pay it forward, one way is to sell the Yaris and donate the proceeds to a charity you have an affinity to
It’s just another step forward, think everyone will just be happy for you to make progress and move the family forward, hope you have many trips in the new car.
I like the idea of an STW pool car.
Everyone needs a bit of help now and again.
Well done keeping the gnusmobile going, I would pass it on to someone who needs it. Keep the karma going, or sell it and put the money towards gnusmobile 2. Our 03 yaris was written off we got 1350 for it...incredible really. Happy motoring btw
I say stick the gnusmobile on gumtree and see if you can get a couple of hundred quid for it and take the kids out for the day.
Is a good option.
or
Pass it on to someone on here that needs it.
Don’t for one minute think anyone will be objectionable to either proposal. After all, we pretty much agreed that this was a temporary stop gap and you’d find something bigger later on.
Best of luck.
Aircon and rear wiper issues can be sorted by ignoring the bejesus out of them.
Everyone seemed to skip past Duncan's request. Good home AND he offered a bit of money.
Tthew - I had already seen it and not long sent a message to him. Its been one of those days today. Thanks for everyone's input and suggestions. Will keep you all posted.
duncancallum seems a good shout.
This car could help more people than the A-team.
Hello.
Good to hear that Little Yaris is still alive and well 🙂
When MrsH donated it the intention was to keep it going as long as possible, she was very fond of it.
She would quite like it to be passed around to whoever needs it, if you've now got something more suitable Duncan's sister sounds like a good cause, and when she gets something else she can do likewise, bound to be someone in need of it.
If it eventually dies she would be chuffed if it went eBay for whatever it's worth and the procedes to these guys, http://radcliffedonkeysanctuary.co.uk.gridhosted.co.uk/
I had already seen it and not long sent a message to him
Nice one Gnusmas. I didn't mean you specifically, but there are loads of people on here who read the first couple of posts, then jump straight to the comments box.
There must be someone on here who would like a free car...
(good move gnusmas)
I reckon that a road trip to get Gnusmobile to Duncan is the right thing to do. And to whoever you are that has passed on the Astra to Al, thank you... ...but dou you not realise the difficulties that you are causing? We need to find a name for Gnusmobile ver 2.0, AAAARGH
Everyone loves a road trip 🙂
.
Any funds left in the kitty to give it to Duncan's sister with a new MOT? Only been seven months since the last one so hopefully not much needs doing.
Don't worry about testing it. I can sort that.
I'll also have a look at the oil leak.
So whereabouts is duncans sister? No doubt some other gawdforsaken inaccessible corner of the UK?
Right. Had a message from Duncan. He lives in Bolton but his sister lives in Southport, the car would need to go to him first, he said he would try and sort the oil leak first.
Road trip part 2 coming up me thinks!
I'm bl6 so pretty easy to get too
If I can get it nearer Brum I'll try n wangle a lift down n drive it back in a day I'm not adverse to a few hours behind the wheel....
Phew - other end of the country from me 😉
And i thought you were going to reunite with the gnusmobile and do all this again tj. I iz upset 😢
This thread has made my day already. Im slowly boxing a roadbike that i have sold on ebay and didnt really want to let go. This has cheered me right up over a coffee:)
If I recall gnusmas and therefore The Car is in South Wales somewhere?
Re 2.0, the gnuspoon? The gnastra?
Oh and does moving the astra need to be arranged?
I can do some driving if required, to West Mids area.
Dunc. Let me know if you need a lift back from Southport. I owe you one.
Also, if anyone is able to fix or replace an engine on an SMax after a timing belt failure I have one spare.
Can’t give it away, but I can sell it for near to scrap value. 12 months MOT, new front tyres, new rear brakes and discs, new alternator. Great family car/bike freighter. Needs major engine work :-/
Don't tempt me, I don't think my wife woudl appreciate a project car 😉
Low-load the Smax to molgrips who will not be able to resist putting a new engine in there.
Drive the the gnarstra, sell yaris and put towards smax costs.
When Smax is finished, sell Astra to cover off any remaining costs and molgrips time.
= 1 Smax for Gnusmas clan!
*This plan is riddled with flaws
**I'm also available for ferrying duties
Gnusmobile 2.0 - Fake Gnus?
I'll replace the engine in the Smax if someone gives me a garage to use to work on it 🙂
Bearnecessities - that sounds like a good plan lol.
Don't know how serious this is, but drop me a line.
I have to get something for the SMax as I put a load of new bits on it for the MOT, the day before the cam belt went.
Message sent Harry. Bloody bearnecessities putting ideas in my head 😂
molgrips
Subscriber
Don’t tempt me, I don’t think my wife woudl appreciate a project car 😉
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How about a project van? The Gnusmobile's former stablemate, for want of a better word, is also after a new home
In the classifieds here
If I can get to west mids I'm golden though I can do Wales n back in a day
Ive a recovery dolly that can be used though I think it needs a wheel bearing.... but it's there to use
We have a recovery dolly! (Probably?)
Dunc, I can drop you down to W.Mids.
Edit: I still think this plan has massive flaws 😀
Ha my mates on that page... all the way from lewis
I might need some assistance replacing an engine. And a place to work, my driveway's not even flat.
Having said that, my neighbour did it with a borrowed lift, a smattering of second hand tools and a mate. His driveway's not as sloping as mine though.
I don't see any feasible way of doing what has been suggested so if anyone wants an s-max please contact Harrythespider.
Back to the point in hand, the gnusmobile is going to Duncan. No problem with that and happy for his sister to enjoy it as much as I have. Now need to work out when and how. Waiting for one thing to get sorted with the astra before I can collect, hopefully by the end of next week.
Where's that blooming like button?
Just wait a week or so and the magic of STW will conjuor up a way of getting Harry's S-Max down to Molly's
Then he can install a used good engine over a weekend and hey presto job jobbed
Is there not a few quid left over from the original round of funding for the Yaris? if not no worries.
@Harry-the-Spider . what are looking for in recompense for the S-Max? £200 or a wee bit more?
Back to the point in hand, the gnusmobile is going to Duncan. No problem with that and happy for his sister to enjoy it as much as I have. Now need to work out when and how. Waiting for one thing to get sorted with the astra before I can collect, hopefully by the end of next week.
I'm theory I can help with the when and where... Bolton isn't sooo far out of the way from here to Wales, which is if I'm not mistaken where The Gnusmobile is. In theory I could do a riding weekend to Wales, pick up dunc (and bear?) on the way and all head for a ride (I'm assuming folk here do ride time to time) drop them where needed?it's a when thing which is the main decider here
Happy to help in any way I can.
What's the time scale do we think chaps just to give some feed back to Rebecca.
Ideally as its BH next weekend would be ace but I'm in big Gs hands
Ride, I'm interested. Brecon Beacons?
I'd do a ride if I can get a driver for the car I can take 3 n 3 bikes in the van n we can go riding n then bring the yaris back?
Sounds good to me - dates depending - its looking increasingly likely I'm going I'm have to be working overnight in deepest darkest Norfolk over the bh weekend however so that may be a serious spanner in (my) plans. (with luck the end user is going to request we do other dates mind so.... It may out may not coincide)
Are we on for Saturday gents?
Nothing to add ,apart from saying ,again......Bravo.
Work is off for the weekend so in theory I'm free if needed - of course all depends on the gnastra.
Still waiting on an update for the astra, which is unfortunately out of the current owners hands. As soon as I do I will update here and try and arrange childcare and a meet up.
Duncan - replied to your message.
Cheers quys
arrange childcare
Danny macaskill does a good line in that I gather.
Danny macaskill does a good line in that I gather.
Good call, wander if they do a tag along for 4 kids......
Anyone got his number for me to ask when he's available?
Update time!
The car is no longer with me, it is now near Usk in a safe place with another forum member. Very short notice meet up today to get the astra. I’m hoping now it might be easier to get it to Duncan from there.
The catch for the glove box came off earlier when I went to check inside it. On the way down the exhaust started rattling a bit and now it sounds very throaty, not sure where or what’s happened, didn’t think to check. It's been a joy to drive, even with it leaving its mark wherever I went.
Thankyou all for making it happen and giving us the opportunity to do things we probably wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. Some nice new memories to add to the ones we already hold in our hearts.
I have messaged Duncan to let him know. Now I suppose is trying to arrange the second leg of the journey from its current hidey hole nearer Duncan. It won't be insured from today with me, but once Duncan sorts it from his end it should be good to go. The person who's land it is on is now away until Monday night so possibly from Tuesday onwards I'm guessing should be fine.
The only issue is I'm away for over a week... 2 weekends so I'm out of the relay race.
If it can be brought nearer I maybe able to get my sister too it.
Unless the key can be hidden n thatcase I'll be available this weekend.
My only rush is my sisters with out a car and school and work for her are a 2.5 he bus journeyapart.
Why's life so complicated
2 weekends
I'm guessing they'll not be convenient ones either? When are you next about? Is sis also in Bolton?
I'm away 31st to 9th
Sisters in Southport.
I'll have it taxed n insured today or early tomoz.
I don't mind running people back south if that's easier than finding a co pilot up here.
Once it's near the north west it gets easier for me to move it
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Got a lift of my mate Sunday just need keys....
that's beyond my ability to help I'm afraid!
Car's now up North presumably Stockport thanks to Duncan and his mate who were very charming.
I rode 50k to pick it up this morning, that went pretty well until there was a road closure which cost me some time as I tried to find a way round. In the end I slipped through the site as it was quiet being Sunday. Then a bastard steep hill to get the car.
Turns out that as the car had sat for a couple of weeks the exhaust had rusted through behind the rear box, leaving it hanging against the exhaust tunnel brace making a hell of a racket. Kept stopping to try and wedge it up but ended up stopping at a posh supermarket/service station in my now sopping wet cycling kit and no shoes, to get some string. Was 2 hours late to meet Duncan, and so I missed my sausage roll and cake. But it all worked out in the end, rode another 125k home in 5h15 which was quicker than I thought despite the headwind.
Anyway he says he's handy with a welder so here's hoping he can force it through another MOT.
Good Lord; what an effort to make it happen. Great work, Mr Molgrips.
Effort wasn't strictly required. My wife offered to drive me 🙂
This bit? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391741359644 Or further back? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Yaris-1-0-Exhaust-Rear-Back-Box-Tail-Pipe-Tailpipe-Finisher-/191565694773 Yaris exhausts aren't very expensive. If he can do the welding it's all good.
The exhausy problem was further forward when we had it, so I assume Marko's repair is still holding?
Chwarae teg Molly, fair play. That's a bloody good effort!