Strange Behaviour...

[Ian Mac]

For some inexplicable reason which totally defies logic I've become afflicted with an overwhelming desire to buy a Metro. Not just any Metro mind, it has to be an Austin (rather than a Rover or MG) and preferably one with painted wheels and the little black centre caps. I really can't explain this errant behaviour and my wife reckons I need counselling but the urge is getting stronger. Ideally I'm after a one owner low mileage car which hasn't been messed around with. Alternatively, I need someone to talk me out of it. Do you reckon the Samaritans could help or should I just go with the flow and buy one? The trouble is, what next? Today a Metro, tomorrow a Kia Pride with dodgy whitewall tyres...?

Last time I had a mid-life crisis I ended-up with a Vespa PX125 and a jukebox. Actually, make that TWO jukeboxes, one for vinyl and one for CD's...

The Vespa was a big mistake - I nearly killed the examiner when I took my CBT. Well, it was his idea to stand in front of me during the emergency stop.....

[MCHUDD]

Hi Ian.
I remember those things.They would run forever on a tank of petrol. They were brought in to replace the mini
but the mini still out lived it by a year.
Cheers Mark.

[volvosneverdie]

i remember sitting in the passenger seat and the whole car pitching over. the corner of the car pointed straight at the ground..
drove round all day at a frightening angle.

mind you, i WAS a very obese child.

[Ian Mac]

I still want one.....

In fact, I want THIS one - apart from the wheel trims...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C99578/

[volvosneverdie]

I still want one.....

In fact, I want THIS one - apart from the wheel trims...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C99578/

if he'll take £500, you might HAVE to mate.

that looks very, very nice!

[jtbo]

It looks almost like Nissan Micra K11, that is one of the most scary cars on roads today, you can't never quite guess where it will veer next, also at parking lot never ever go near one when it has engine running and when engine off still remember to make decent distance to it when passing it as they can suddenly start when gear is at reverse.

Also those bump into about anything at parking lot, they move very very slowly until they are at attack range, then there is wild roar and car leaps forward or backwards, there is no telling, not even from direction of crawling before the leap.

I'm still not convinced that it would be that grey senile person behind the wheel that causes such actions, it rather well could be the car itself, so common it is to see one leaping and attacing against unaware pedestrians

As that car looks a lot like Micra, it can have similar qualities, if not yet convinced not to buy it, at least make sure you read Stephen King's Christine few times before buying, then you know what to except in worst case scenario

[magnumpi]

But Micra's don't have the self lowering hydrolastic suspension that Metro's offered.

[jtbo]

I still would recommend something along lines of:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEeudbuuzh0

[trabitom99]

I have a massive soft spot for Austins and the like. Ex-pat sentimentalism, no doubt.

I still want one.....

In fact, I want THIS one - apart from the wheel trims...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C99578/

That one looks like it's already got the Rover badge on it. Why not look out for one of the really early ones?


http://www.flickr.com/photos/sparks68/1382240343/

That one was owned by Lady Diana, apparently.

Tom

[Edcase 300]

Hey Ian Mac

I have a little citreon AX (yet again quite mini like but very very plastic eek) which i got virtually for free...Having driving it through the town...ive come to think that maybe a small economical car is a good thing to have for the short trips around town/supermarket etc?

... p.s haha!... then theres my volvo which my dad funnily enough (deja vu) christened christine due to the car almost killing me the first day i took it out (maybe due to dodgy tires and inexperience?)...

Economical can be good though (volvo=weeknds for me as im a poor eccentric student)

[Ian Mac]

That one was owned by Lady Diana, apparently.

Tom

She was plain old Diana Spencer when she owned the Metro Tom..!! Her car is in the Coventry Museum of British Road Transport but it looks like the same one as in in your pic.

[volvosneverdie]

Dont think it will appeal much to you Ian, but this is an epic metro thread:

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... 846&page=1

Got to love the determination and inspiration.

[garth]

That was the one I was thinking of. Different, but is so damn retro.

[Ian Mac]

if he'll take £500, you might HAVE to mate.

that looks very, very nice!

£500 was a bit optimistic but I did manage to get it for £575 after I pointed out a cracked rear lense and a slight parking dent on one of the front wings. I drove it back from Preston to Birmingham with no problems so not a bad deal overall considering it has a brand new exhaust and a full MOT certificate. There is no sign of rust anywhere on the car and it has never been welded. It needs a good interior valet but nothing that can't be sorted in a weekend.

[volvosneverdie]

Good price dude.
well bought.

Are you enjoying it as much as you thought you would?