Old man needs suggestions

Rtech · 2nd August 2007, 12:13

This was something i drew many many years ago while standing at my window and looking down on our old M800.

The original car (yea yea, its a bit off...)

And what I thought at the time I'd like to do with it.

theMAG · 2nd August 2007, 12:35

Thats a very good rendition Rtech - both real and perceived.

basilmabraham · 2nd August 2007, 14:00

Rudra Sir, I am a novice when it comes to talk about cars, especially to seniors like you, so please spare me if I am messing up things...

We have a 93 model M800 standard, no AC, seatbelts or anything...Just the engine, 4 wheels, seats and it runs...It was our first car and the only one my father ever bought and so has lots of sentiments attached..He still feels that his days with buying a car is over with this one...He takes it around over the weekend for small trips around Cochin and is very happy with it...I am finding it very difficult to get him to sell it for a new car. By gods grace, money is not a problem anymore, but his sentiments are strong and I dont want to break it...So the M800 stays at home...

Now, the point I wanted to make is if you dont have any such sentiments attached, its practical to sell this one off and buy a new car, which is better in almost all respects and wil serve you hassle free for another decade or so...
It finally boils down to a battle between the brain and the heart...let the best bit win...

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuvc

The 'VFM of passion' cannot be measured in monetary terms.

Very nice thoughts Shuvc

GeekSrik · 2nd August 2007, 15:56

rudraji, i think you must think of buying another small car. there is no point spending another lakh for restoration on a car that is showing signs of going down. that aside, maybe you can consider a new age diesel like swift D or better still wait for the punto diesel and be done with the buying part. these are cars that would last 2-3 lac kms without much issue i guess.

mclaren1885 · 2nd August 2007, 16:02

Guys please do keep in mind that our beloved old man loves seeing work being carried out on his cars to his likes. The satisfaction he gets on completion of the work is something one has to witness personally. And hearing him talk about his love for the Amby is to die for. His pics only depict a part of his mind and heart.

Also, I have seen him refuse letting go of this car several times. He invariably has an emotional touch with everything he owns, be it cars, music system or his high funda computer or his EOS. For such a man, letting go of what could be the beginning of yet another love story might be hard? Only our bling king can answer this.

planet_rocker · 2nd August 2007, 16:08

yeah! IMO there is no point in letting it go. if he is emotional about the car - its better to keep it and restore it. going through the entire restoration process is quite exciting.

@mcl - who is this bling king? rudra da? he seemed quite sober except for the ZIPPO - he is quite emotional about the zippo aswell.

snaronikar · 2nd August 2007, 16:26

Rudy,
If this is very emotional to you, keep it. Plonk it with new power plant and few modifications and lo your newly leased old baby is ready to dance once again on streets

....hmmm may be for a few years......

GTO · 2nd August 2007, 16:44

Rudra,

Unless there is sentimental value attached, no point in spending a lac upward on a car thats over two decades old. Yup, we have done it to our Jeeps and Ambassadors (and will continue to like fools!) but they are machines that are close to our heart. I dont think the 800 fits here. Therefore,

Practicality: Sell it, and buy a used 800 / Zen / Alto within a 5 - 6 year vintage. It will deliver for almost another decade pretty well and much darn better than a re-conditioned 20 year old car.

Costlier practicality: Sell it and buy a new Alto / Santro / Swift. I have a feeling that the 800 driver will just love an automatic Santro.

Personally, I would just sell and buy a used newer hatch.

greatDrive · 2nd August 2007, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Personally, I would just sell and buy a used newer hatch.

Exactly! This is what I would do. Sell it off for 35-40K and get a 5 yr old (50K km) Maruti 800 for 1.2K and spend another 50K for alloys, tubeless tyres and ICE.

cheers

neoonwheels · 2nd August 2007, 17:12

If I would have been in your position, I would let go my sentiments for a much practical decision.. Not every time we should allow our heart to rule on our brain.. Putting money on so much old car wont return you in long run..

scooby05 · 2nd August 2007, 17:27

Since this is Your 3rd car, Please restore her! Bring the budget into reality values, as in do it up within a 75k budget, going backwards.
Good condition 1st generation 800's are getting rear to see. it will be your pride when you drive her around! I love to see them on the road, if they are well maintained.
selling her and buying a hatch is a good idea, though you will always regret the decision, this being the 3rd Car!!

Mpower · 2nd August 2007, 17:47

Here's a new perspective. Keep the SS80 and restore it. Buy a swift for daily use.

Psycho · 2nd August 2007, 17:49

Ahem,

Who will drive the car you / her?

If it is you then: do you want to go through it all over again?

IF it is her: Would she want a re-run of the Amby?

Rtech · 2nd August 2007, 18:05

Psycho, you are not allowed to give your opinion on this thread. You are an interested party here.

viper · 2nd August 2007, 18:17

Rudra,

I'd say keep it and restore her to the level you maintain all your cars. The pleasure derived in restoring a car is much better than driving a used hatch.

Better to be different and stand out like what Edmund has done than be part of the crowd.

Viper

2nd August 2007, 12:13	#31
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	This was something i drew many many years ago while standing at my window and looking down on our old M800. The original car (yea yea, its a bit off...) And what I thought at the time I'd like to do with it.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 12:35	#32
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Thats a very good rendition Rtech - both real and perceived.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 15:56	#34
GeekSrik Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,281 Thanked: 22 Times View My Garage	rudraji, i think you must think of buying another small car. there is no point spending another lakh for restoration on a car that is showing signs of going down. that aside, maybe you can consider a new age diesel like swift D or better still wait for the punto diesel and be done with the buying part. these are cars that would last 2-3 lac kms without much issue i guess.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 16:02	#35
mclaren1885 BANNED Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore (the city of modded cars) !! Posts: 4,820 Thanked: 45 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (10)	Guys please do keep in mind that our beloved old man loves seeing work being carried out on his cars to his likes. The satisfaction he gets on completion of the work is something one has to witness personally. And hearing him talk about his love for the Amby is to die for. His pics only depict a part of his mind and heart. Also, I have seen him refuse letting go of this car several times. He invariably has an emotional touch with everything he owns, be it cars, music system or his high funda computer or his EOS. For such a man, letting go of what could be the beginning of yet another love story might be hard? Only our bling king can answer this.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 16:08	#36
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	yeah! IMO there is no point in letting it go. if he is emotional about the car - its better to keep it and restore it. going through the entire restoration process is quite exciting. @mcl - who is this bling king? rudra da? he seemed quite sober except for the ZIPPO - he is quite emotional about the zippo aswell. Last edited by planet_rocker : 2nd August 2007 at 16:12.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 16:26	#37
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Rudy, If this is very emotional to you, keep it. Plonk it with new power plant and few modifications and lo your newly leased old baby is ready to dance once again on streets ....hmmm may be for a few years......
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 16:44	#38
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,497 Thanked: 300,309 Times View My Garage	Rudra, Unless there is sentimental value attached, no point in spending a lac upward on a car thats over two decades old. Yup, we have done it to our Jeeps and Ambassadors (and will continue to like fools!) but they are machines that are close to our heart. I dont think the 800 fits here. Therefore, Practicality: Sell it, and buy a used 800 / Zen / Alto within a 5 - 6 year vintage. It will deliver for almost another decade pretty well and much darn better than a re-conditioned 20 year old car. Costlier practicality: Sell it and buy a new Alto / Santro / Swift. I have a feeling that the 800 driver will just love an automatic Santro. Personally, I would just sell and buy a used newer hatch.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 17:12	#40
neoonwheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 2,064 Thanked: 1,875 Times View My Garage	If I would have been in your position, I would let go my sentiments for a much practical decision.. Not every time we should allow our heart to rule on our brain.. Putting money on so much old car wont return you in long run..
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 17:27	#41
scooby05 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,145 Thanked: 192 Times	Since this is Your 3rd car, Please restore her! Bring the budget into reality values, as in do it up within a 75k budget, going backwards. Good condition 1st generation 800's are getting rear to see. it will be your pride when you drive her around! I love to see them on the road, if they are well maintained. selling her and buying a hatch is a good idea, though you will always regret the decision, this being the 3rd Car!!
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 17:47	#42
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,729 Times View My Garage	Here's a new perspective. Keep the SS80 and restore it. Buy a swift for daily use.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 17:49	#43
Psycho Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,043 Thanked: 110 Times View My Garage	Ahem, Who will drive the car you / her? If it is you then: do you want to go through it all over again? IF it is her: Would she want a re-run of the Amby?
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 18:05	#44
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	Psycho, you are not allowed to give your opinion on this thread. You are an interested party here.
	() Thanks

2nd August 2007, 18:17	#45
viper BANNED Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,773 Thanked: 19 Times	Rudra, I'd say keep it and restore her to the level you maintain all your cars. The pleasure derived in restoring a car is much better than driving a used hatch. Better to be different and stand out like what Edmund has done than be part of the crowd. Viper
	() Thanks