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Hello all,
First, thanks for all your useful titbits, I've been lurking on the forums for a few months now gathering information to help me buy the right one.
On Monday, I got it!
KZN185, 1997 SSRX Ltd, 3.0L Auto. A very nice man had it since he imported it some years ago, and it's in bloody good nick - he knew how to look after it. A few spots of rust and a few bulbs out, but not bad at all for 1500. An hour drive to get it home and I was in love within the first 10 minutes. First auto, first 4x4, so it'll be a bit to learn.
Insurance is the killer at the moment, only been driving 2 years (I'm 33, late starter), got 2 years NCB on my Focus, cheapest I've got so far is 668 with Admiral, but I'm looking at Adrian Flux, Sky and a few others that I've read about on here. Between my current insurance refund and selling the Focus I'll have enough to cover everything, but I really I'll have to save up because I need a car. Hopefully I'll get some cheaper insurance at one of the other places.
Already got a few ideas that I want to do, if anyone has any pointers (other than search the forum, that's where most of these ideas came from ;-) ), I'd be more than willing to hear them!
Fixes:
1/ Rev counter doesn't work (hopefully just a dry joint behind the dash)
2/ Centre dome light doesn't work (bulb or dry joint)
3/ Front full beam spot gone (bulb)
4/ Rear break light gone (bulb)
5/ Rattling on the passenger door (probably the door protector is loose)
6/ Aerial connection (who knows)
7/ New rear wiper arm (the clip for the blade has broken off)
8/ Wheel alignment (the replacement steering wheel is on squint)
9/ TREAT THE RUST
Other things:
1/ Fit a decent stereo (want quite a dim one, I can't handle bright lights at night, thinking of getting a double din android one or something with a light sensor)
2/ Change the interior lights for LEDs (194s and 74s, from what I've read, but I'll be taking the dash off to fix the rev counter anyway, hopefully find ones that work with the dimmer)
3/ Fit remote central locking with alarm, one that will flash the indicators, put up the windows, and fold the mirrors (20 quid kit off ebay for a basic one that I've seen, might need to get my electrician friend in to help bodge the windows and mirrors, hopefully it might cheapen the insurance, too)
4/ Leisure battery with split charging
5/ Get rid of the fag tray and get a nice fascia with some USB ports
6/ Fit a 12v socket and USB ports at the rear of the centre console for rear passengers, run off the leisure battery
7/ Fit a 12v socket, USB ports, and rear window switch in the cubby hole at the rear, run off the leisure battery (for the overnight sleepovers ;-) )
8/ Getting a -bit- more complicated, I'd like to route all the existing switches to a din fascia and use lever-type switches for them
9/ Longer term: find a field unit maybe. Looks like there was something up there at some point, there are holes in the ceiling carpet.
10/ Even longer term: fit cruise control
11/ Heated mirrors
11?/ -Maybe- replace the seats.
...yes, you people are bad, bad people giving me all these ideas :-P I blame you all entirely ;-) (joke)
Steve
First, thanks for all your useful titbits, I've been lurking on the forums for a few months now gathering information to help me buy the right one.
On Monday, I got it!
KZN185, 1997 SSRX Ltd, 3.0L Auto. A very nice man had it since he imported it some years ago, and it's in bloody good nick - he knew how to look after it. A few spots of rust and a few bulbs out, but not bad at all for 1500. An hour drive to get it home and I was in love within the first 10 minutes. First auto, first 4x4, so it'll be a bit to learn.Insurance is the killer at the moment, only been driving 2 years (I'm 33, late starter), got 2 years NCB on my Focus, cheapest I've got so far is 668 with Admiral, but I'm looking at Adrian Flux, Sky and a few others that I've read about on here. Between my current insurance refund and selling the Focus I'll have enough to cover everything, but I really I'll have to save up because I need a car. Hopefully I'll get some cheaper insurance at one of the other places.
Already got a few ideas that I want to do, if anyone has any pointers (other than search the forum, that's where most of these ideas came from ;-) ), I'd be more than willing to hear them!
Fixes:
1/ Rev counter doesn't work (hopefully just a dry joint behind the dash)
2/ Centre dome light doesn't work (bulb or dry joint)
3/ Front full beam spot gone (bulb)
4/ Rear break light gone (bulb)
5/ Rattling on the passenger door (probably the door protector is loose)
6/ Aerial connection (who knows)
7/ New rear wiper arm (the clip for the blade has broken off)
8/ Wheel alignment (the replacement steering wheel is on squint)
9/ TREAT THE RUST
Other things:
1/ Fit a decent stereo (want quite a dim one, I can't handle bright lights at night, thinking of getting a double din android one or something with a light sensor)
2/ Change the interior lights for LEDs (194s and 74s, from what I've read, but I'll be taking the dash off to fix the rev counter anyway, hopefully find ones that work with the dimmer)
3/ Fit remote central locking with alarm, one that will flash the indicators, put up the windows, and fold the mirrors (20 quid kit off ebay for a basic one that I've seen, might need to get my electrician friend in to help bodge the windows and mirrors, hopefully it might cheapen the insurance, too)
4/ Leisure battery with split charging
5/ Get rid of the fag tray and get a nice fascia with some USB ports
6/ Fit a 12v socket and USB ports at the rear of the centre console for rear passengers, run off the leisure battery
7/ Fit a 12v socket, USB ports, and rear window switch in the cubby hole at the rear, run off the leisure battery (for the overnight sleepovers ;-) )
8/ Getting a -bit- more complicated, I'd like to route all the existing switches to a din fascia and use lever-type switches for them
9/ Longer term: find a field unit maybe. Looks like there was something up there at some point, there are holes in the ceiling carpet.
10/ Even longer term: fit cruise control
11/ Heated mirrors
11?/ -Maybe- replace the seats.
...yes, you people are bad, bad people giving me all these ideas :-P I blame you all entirely ;-) (joke)
Steve