I just realized something.

"505 - morphine not found" (morphine500) 01/11/2016 at 18:12 • Filed to: rambling

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I have two cars, both somewhat jalop. However, I now am certain that my garage is all fucked up, and I need to sell both, and get another pair. Here’s why.

Let’s make a list of the good things, the stuff I got right, when I ended up with this particular pair.

- both are unassisted, “pure driving machines” from 1986. No driver aid, no ABS, not even PAS.

- both are gas-powered, manual and RWD, and both have IRS setups.

- heck, one even comes with an LSD and a body that’s beyond restoration, so is the perfect winter beater

On first glance it seems I did just fine: a Toyota MR-2 and a Peugeot 505 sounds about right. I thought so too, but it somehow doesn’t work out like that, and more often than not I end up driving my mothers’ 2009 Hyundai. Shit, I must have screwed this up somewhere. But where? Here are the facts of my life.

- The MR-2 is perfect for daily duty, but I have three kids .

- The 505 is a fun beater project car for the weekends, however, this is the 5-seat sedan, the one I should be using daily.

- And if I only sold the 505, and bought something better instead, that would still not solve all my problems, as the Peugeot is my winter car. The MR-2 will most likely never see snow again, as it is currently getting painted after a thorough body restoration. And anyway only the supercharger MR-2 had LSD, but that transmission is too high-geared for the NA engine.....

So there you have it. I have all the elements for a happy two-car garage, but this just ain’t sorted right, is it?

Therefore, as of today, my new-year resolution for 2016 is to sell both cars, yes both, and build a new two-car fleet, that has a proper, DD-able family car, and a proper sports car for the weekends and winters.

Wish me luck. And a good buyer for the MR-2...

Sneaky Pete > 505 - morphine not found 01/11/2016 at 18:17

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Anything in mind for your new pair?

505 - morphine not found > Sneaky Pete 01/11/2016 at 18:25

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The family car should be one of the four “Eurovan II” types. If you’re not European, these would be the Citroën C8, Peugeot 807, Fiat Ulysee and Lancia Phedra. All of them came with the PSA diesel range, so a 7-seater with 2.0 HDI and 5-speed should be doable. Thanks to the 505, I know the perfect mechanic for them too, in fact it was his idea.

As for the sports car... I just don’t know. I hope that the MR-2 will sell for a considerable sum and that the Eurovan project only eats half of that, but both are ifs and not whens.... We’ll see. But it might turn out to be a bit more modern, than the MR-2.

duurtlang > 505 - morphine not found 01/11/2016 at 18:52

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The van shouldn’t be all that expensive. Those things have depreciated immensely. €3k will get you a decent diesel with low-ish (for its age) kilometerage.

Having said that, I doubt the beater 505 will be worth much, and a MR2 is only worth money if it’s not a project. Also, a van like that will provide far fewer smiles than the 505.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > 505 - morphine not found 01/11/2016 at 22:38

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Did someone say E39 540i 6-speed?

505 - morphine not found > duurtlang 01/12/2016 at 03:46

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You are spot on with that assessment. That’s why the MR-2 is having a restoration, so it’ll worth some. I will miss the ideal of a good 505 from my life, but if I have only one fun car, that should be a sports car, and not a sedan. Logic kills the cat....

505 - morphine not found > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief 01/12/2016 at 03:49

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Actually...

Sounds like a fun car, but not something I’m looking into right now, sorry.

duurtlang > 505 - morphine not found 01/12/2016 at 04:58

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If you weld the rear doors shut, wouldn’t your 505 be a coupe? Problem solved!

505 - morphine not found > duurtlang 01/12/2016 at 05:20

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Peugeot could have solved my problem. If only....

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505 - morphine not found 01/12/2016 at 07:45

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3-car garage?

Just trying to persuade you to keep the 505 :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505 - morphine not found 01/12/2016 at 07:50

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Ooh, actually as you’re on the continent. Get a rough Matra Murena for winter!

Always wanted one of those :)

505 - morphine not found > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 01/12/2016 at 08:19

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A Matra Murena for the winter....? No, even I’m not going there :-D

But as the 505 will be a hard sell, I might end up keeping it. It’s not that expensive to keep taxed and insured, and then it could finally turn into a winter beater extraordinaire.... Hm.....

However, now that we’re talking, I always wondered how an XJ40 would handle in the snow. And my bet is, it would be awesome. Read into that, whatever you want ;-)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 505 - morphine not found 01/12/2016 at 08:36

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I’ve been waiting and waiting for snow now that the ‘40 is back on the road just so I can find out :)

Could probably do with some snow tyres, but they'd never get use in my neck of the woods...