AK350Z

That's premier league footballer levels of tastelessness right there! Still, gotta love it...

Going to have a look at this tomorrow, just down the road. looks to be a good deal so far: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201043371368623/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/price-to/5000/price-from/2000/model/focus/make/ford/page/1/radius/40/postcode/ca212ya?logcode=p

You can always hire, compared to the cost of the wedding, it'll be a drop in the ocean!

yeah, the red/black at LLandegla would probably come about even with the blue and red south at Whinlatter! It's really straightforward. Lots of trail centres do have gnarly bits, especially up in Scotland, but there again there's loads of lovely natural stuff too. Plenty more stuff to do round here, are the bikes coming with the wedding luggage?

Number 5 for me mate!

Convenient indeed! Belive it or not that was some of Llandeglas "black" route Anyway, we had a mixed group with us, so it was suitable for our needs. It's probably something to do with the fact that about 5 million people live within 1 hours drive of it!

Little vid from the saturday at Llandegla. Experimented with a couple of different camera angles, some worked, some didn't! Just left the sound as is, mostly just wind noise and squeeking from the bike We also went to a place called Eastridge Woods just south of Shrewsbury. These were some lovely natural trails, and well worth a look if you are in the area. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandHerefordshireTheMarchesEastridge

Well done mate, that will be very nice indeed.

For future reference, do Admiral allow modified cars?

Cheers so far guys, will defo be looking at some Ford product - focus and fiesta depending on what I can find locally. Fiesta ST probably overkill, maybe just a Zetec S? Older Focus diesel? I don't know if they are any good. Doogy, yep, my GF has a panda 4x4, but I think she'll let me use that If it gets really bad for a week or two. 4x4 is probably too much of a drag on the fuel otherwise. Stan, shame the Micra is one of the worst looking cars on the road, given Nissans current leftfield styling direction, surely its due for a re-vamp? 1.5dCi Juke might be good in a few years time though eh...

Maybe he plays for the other side.... (Sorry...)

Thanks for your input! some are better than others though....

Right guys, new job starting at the end of november, and sadly its a bit far to cycle! So i need a commuter shed, not much emphasis on the shed part though thanks. The commute: A one hour hell of tight and narrow A and B roads, with the option of a slightly shorter fell road detour where you must do battle with lunatic Sellafield drivers coming the other way, or the coast road which although two lanes and better surfaced, is longer and very twisty. The car: Small to medium size Must do at least 40mpg Must handle well and not roll like a weeble. About £4-5K, and as near to Cumbria as possible please! Ideas please Ladies and Gents!

Can't belive its nearly 10 months already Colin! Good to see things went well, but the disc issue is a bit early on isn't it? I know you aren't heavy on the brakes (unlike certain folk round here ) so whats the cause do you think?

Looking good there Stan, Fran was concerned that you had about 7 cars now, but i updated her on your fleet Judging by her comments, I'd better not get any similar ideas!

Is it broken or is that what I wanted?? Just the wrong size?

Just post more, I did And how!

Sarnie, you're avatar pic has been broken for ages, or is it just me?

Some cars are to fast for the police though Sarnie: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8388128.stm (I would have done the same as a copper ) Also a nice Met promo years ago :

Finally got my contract through, starting work on the 29th November Hmm, a guy at work is selling a leggy but good condition early noughties bimmer 318 touring for £2000, might have a gander at that, handy for bikes anyway.

Handy for builders James; Clinometer, set square, magnetic pipe finder(!): http://www.plaincode.com/products/

+1 I know you don't want to spoil it Stan, so that's fair enough. I am a sucker for "updated" retro classics though. Does it even have 4 wheels the same at the mo?

Don't blame me mate, you're your own worst enemy! Very nice though, just asking for a few modern tweaks though. Maybe some decent suspension and lower it a touch on some period style alloys?

Vredestein Wintrack get good reviews. I can vouch for the similar Quatrac variant in the snow and ice.

Funny, most car journos can do it in a couple of hours. Did you drive your car for longer than a week before you decided to buy it then? Yes, some journos can form an accurate opinion in a short time, but this is why magazines have long term cars isn't it? During the ownership of any car you will uncover various foibles, I bought mine based on the sexy lines , and a 3 hour test drive. As that didn't throw up any big supprises, the purchase was still on. You take a chance on the rest.