Gearknob... WHAT A WONDERFUL VIDEO! I watched it three times now cause it's so entertaining, interesting and inspiring. So many cool cars and so many awesome stories behind. I could spend days with you listening to your episodes and telling you some of mine. My first car was a Fiat Panda 750 with enormous 34 hp and absolutely no equipment. No servo, no electric windows, no sunroof, no airbags or ABS. But I loved it so much because it was freedom for me. I lowered it, put some nice alloys (Borbet) on it, bought a sporty steering wheel and really took good care of it and it paid off by carrying me around for more than 80.000 kilometers, e.g. up to Denmark, without any problem! There'd be so much more to tell...
What a fascinating video! Great to see those cars, and what a very exciting life you've led so far, much more interesting that mine! Terrific video, thanks Geoff.
Great video, not just the cars, but the memories they evoke. It made me think about mine: 1965 Austin Mini (rust...), Allegro 1100 (yes, the worst!), Metro. 1.0, Fiesta XR2 (first new car, fab!), VW Golf mk 2, Fiat Uno Turbo (hedge seeking missile), Fiat Tipo 16v (competes as best car I have owned), Ford Mondeo V6, Saab 9000 (Abbott tuned), Saab 9-3, Mazda RX8 (mid life crisis car, but probably my favourite), Mazda MX-5, Jaguar S-type, Mazda 3, Mazda 6, Mini Cooper, Audi TT, Fiat 500, and looking for the next one!
Had a 1.25 Fiesta Zetec in silver as the proper first car, I loved that thing, it was rapid and stuck like glue. Best memory was coming back from RAF Cranfield and blasting back home after being stuck doing selection for 10 hours. It may have gone some way to explaining why the engine blew up a few months later whilst my sister was on the M5.
After I passed my test 17-18 years old, I had use of a Renault Traffic Van (my Fav.), then a Feista, 1.0L and then an Orion, then a Fiat wagonoldsmobile,, then a Granada, then, a Merc E 300, then a Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 3.0 V6, (elegance) sold too cheap, then a Suzuki Jimny, now a Ford B-Max sliding rear doors, hatchback 2015 plate. and also Electric bike too, which I use most days.
My first car was a Renault 12. During a very bad relationship, the numpty I was seeing, decided to drive it to a country lane and set fire to it, while I was asleep. My weirdest was a Volvo C70...if you went round a sharp bend, with the roof down, the passenger door came open! My most expensive car, is the Mazda 6, which I have now. I paid £8,000 cash for it, less than 2 years ago. About 8 months in, the turbo went. The RAC towed my to the main dealer, who charged me 2 grand to fix it. Then, a few months ago, the headgasket went...another £2,000! Now, I feel like I can't afford to sell it. I also know why I prefer my Ducati!
Love a good Gearknob, my first car was a mint 96 850 T5, had it for a little over a year, then a drunk driver took it away from me a week ago. Hope i get enough from the insurance to buy another one, loved that thing and it saved my life. The Z3's you showed are sooo beautiful. Cheers mate
My first car when I was learning to drive was a Ford Mondeo estate and when I passed my test it was a Volvo 740 estate and it will always be my favourite car. I did have a Vauxhaul Astra with a dodgy Gear knob had trouble getting it into 5 th gear
Absolutely devo'd that when you were talking about the post merge-crash texting apologies that the next line wasn't......"and we became really good mates and he was best man at my wedding"
ha ha ha!! no, we never became mates, but he did buy me some expensive t cut and polish to say sorry. i think that was the turning point in my relationship though, the gf was in the car and my behaviour that day may have been the final straw, ha ha.
Gear knob. First car was Morris Marina 1.3…I can still remember the reg. I had a 79 black Trans Am that I still see around occasionally and blimey they have gone up in value. Favourite was probably the 1984 Audi Coupe 2.2…I did the around the coast of Britain road trip (4300 odd miles) and then it became my tow car when I raced a 1.6 Golf in Rally Cross…currently , I have had my mk 1 V70 2.4T a couple of months and in true Geoff fashion it’s work in progress 😊 For a car approaching 23 years old it surprises “non Geoff’s” how nice it is 😊
Crash after crash after crash! Remind me never, EVER, to get in a car that you're driving. I was given my first car in bits when I was 15. I spent 2 years building it only to be told by my father that a bright red 1937 Singer Le Mans was not a suitable car for a driving test. He found me a 1938 Triumph Gloria and I passed. The first car I bought for myself was a 1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, and I've had many American cars (mainly Cadillacs) since then. There has been an assortment of Bentleys, Rolls Royces, Jaguars, Mercedes-Benz and now I'm on my 7th Lexus; a GS300 SE-L, with which I'm very happy. In my 60 years behind the wheel, including many years of racing, there are a few things I've never had. They include a ticket of any kind, an Insurance claim for any reason, and apart from one memorable incident at Brands Hatch 35 years ago; a crash of any kind. I've never been a slow driver, but I endeavour to be a safe driver. In my humble opinion, there's no excuse for crashing. If you're in a situation where you're going to either hit or be hit; it's your fault. No-one else put you in that situation - just you. I've heard it said that it's impossible to anticipate every situation on the road. Mainly due to the fairly high percentage of idiots, but it may sound arrogant, but I've always been taught to "think idiot!" - because they're out there, everywhere. The last thing ive never had is a diesel. I was brought up to believe that diesel engines in cars are the work of the Devil and belong in trucks, buses and boats. Fit only to be driven by a certain type of person who generally lives in a cloud of smelly blue (or black) smoke. Alright, that's very tongue in cheek, of course it is, and I expect there are some good diesel cars out there. I just don't like diesel, it's very personal, but I drove a diesel Volvo S80 diesel automatic for around 2,000 miles once; and it was just awful - to be able to hear the engine in such a well-built, luxury car, was simply unforgivable. Compared to the petrol version, which I loved, the diesel was a real let-down. Anyway, great channel, very entertaining, do try not to crash. Enjoy life behind the wheel
Gear knob. Just going through your back catalogue Geoff and thought I'd comment. Off the top of my head I've had 1 Allegro, 3 Cortinas, 3 mk 1 Astras, Rover 213, mk1 Fiesta, Mk 3 Fiesta, mk2 Fiesta Xr2, Orion Ghia, Orion Ghia injection, 2 Cavalier Sri mk3s, mk2 Golf Gti, Clio 182, Leon FR diesel and Leon Cupra over 31 years or so (not all in that order) Some short term, some much longer. 2 things spring to mind - 1. I appear to be quite lazy and often buy multiples of the same cars, probably as I hate the hassle of selling cars and 2. I've never had a BMW. Keep up the good work mate.
Nice video, thanks for sharing! I also had a Beetle as a first car, it was a pain because it was poorly maintained, my most reliable car was a Toyota Carina II. Cureently I own a Volvo V70 that I have had for almost 10 years, solid car, and my beloved 1997 850 GLT (Your videos, reviews and love for the 850´s has a lot to do with that purchase) Regards from Sweden!
First car Mk2 escort 1.3 very rusty but white 2 door 1.6 engine out of a Capri. I didnt refit the airfilter housing back on and it kept spitting fuel out of carb. One day smoke entered the cabin while me and the future Mrs C. where on way to my future inlaws. So I jumped out, opened the bonnet and had to beat the flames out with my Tshirt. Amazingly I closed bonnet and restarted engine and continued our journey. We still laugh about it to this day.🙂
Brilliant video, thanks for sharing your life with us! I run from a very different period to you, my first car was a Standard vanguard - the one use by the RAF, a big old bus of a thing, the only reason I got it was because it only cost £8.10s. 0d !! Vauxhall Viva, Mini Cooper S, Mini Cooper Groundog, Minivan 1000cc Ford Anglia (!) Another Viva, Austin 1300, Wolsey 1800 Auto (great car) Gearbox failed, temporary Hlillman ex police car, evey panel dented but went like the wind, Ford Cortina Mk3 had that a few years, had some funny moments with that, temp car Cortina mK2, Morris Marina 1.8 (S?) crap car, went like a rocket but floated around on the motorway like a cork on the ocean, Vauxhall Cavalier, brilliant car for an aging geezer, couldn't run out of petrol in it! Volvo 740x2, Ford Granada Ghia - another great motor, too expensive to run in the end, VW polo great motor didn't like the cold though, Ford Orion GL had this one for years - family car. Lexus - lovely motor till it turned into a steam engine on the motorway. In the midst of all that somewhere I drove a Ford Lotus which I can never remeber the model. Against your career with motors mine looks a bit palid but you clearly had a lot of fun! Actually made me feel a bit boring!
Really enjoyed this one Geoff. Sounds like you had an absolute ball. With the way things are going with the price of rent and food and the government wanting to price cars off the road, how long do you think you will continue to manage to own and run fun cars ? My information is that the insurance companies are about to be used/controlled to make sure nobody will be able to afford insurance for anything other than the most basic and mundane of cars in existence.
Excellent video! My first car was Fiat Punto mk1 Sporting, second car mk2 Sporting, later Chevrolet Camaro z28 and now i have a mk1 Volvo V70 TDI (same engine your 850). This is my favourite car all of time. Greetings from Slovakia!
Best car ever black 9-5 aero which I bought for 500 euros, cant even count how many bmws I smoked. That was fun, soon getting another one, but this time with lsd and a tune
I have a list of all cars owned, actually it is a spreadsheet and includes the total of my losses in depreciation, and worryingly it does not include all prices paid/sold. And unlike you, I have yet to sell a car for a profit! I do not want to re-read that list, but from recollection: £168K lost over nearly 50 years! 😭 I started out buying cheap cars and am now re-entering that realm, hence watching Geoff. What I don't get is why I can remember my first three cars registrations, but none of my current?
Vauxhall viva, Ford escort estate mk1, Ford escort estate mk2, 1275gt mini, bmw 320, Yugo, mazda323, rover sd1, Audi coupe gt, Audi Quattro coupe, Vauxhall calibra 16v, mk3 golf, Mercedes 200, Mazda mx5, Subaru Legacy estate, Honda Civic type r. Still miss the subaru.
Have owned 745 motorbikes, but only 240 odd cars since was 16. First car was MG Magnette ZA for £65, second was 1954 Ford Anglia for £15. Went downhill after that. Best practical car was 740 estate with 2.3 petrol engine, could carry huge amounts in it. Should/could still make them. No stupid electrics to kill the car.
Loved this and just the same my memories are based on cars. I can’t tell your right now where my car keys are but can remember the about I spent on each are down to the penny 😂😂❤️. Loved the vid thanks you man
Excellent GBC! My history involves many many cars, but my first was a 1974 Mini 1000, purple, paid £140 and the door fell off (literally) when I got it home. My Dad helped me get it back on the road and it was resprayed the same colour as the vans at his work… what a coincidence 😂 Best car, brand new Nissan 200SX company car back in ‘99 emerald green, pimped pale cream leather… T336HUD (sadly lives no more)… oh and “gear knob” GBC!
Damn a 200SX company car, that is very, very cool. I remember my dad borrowed one of his colleague's cars who just had a new 200SX, I thought it was the best thing ever. You can't find those at all can you!
My first car was an Austin 1100 J registration.#2 was an Austin Pricess 2.2 HLS #2Jguar xj6 4.2 #456789,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 were all Xj's an XJS a coupe 4.2 , a v12 HE and also before that a v12 Daimler double six then a Bentley T1 and various Range rover classics then a Bentley turbo r which I still have, but best of all is our family every day car which we imported is a Mitsubishi Delica D5 in black electric doors, ac sub woofer stereo cameras all around 4x4 brilliant family car. And good on fuel.
Great watch Geoff 👍 got me thinking me and my family should probably do some good road trips abroad! I’ve only had 7 cars I’m 30 now but my current car is a V70R had it 3 years quite a lucky buy really as I wanted a Volvo saw these had 300hp and bought one not really knowing what they were! Think I’ll keep hold of this for a long time!
74 Avenger, Cortina MK2, Cortina MK3 (stolen), Escort MK1 (killed by rust), Mini (rusted out), Mini Clubman (stolen), bright orange Escort MK2 {rear ended}, Cortina MK4 (killed by a friend - don't lend your cars out). 87 Micra, 89 Toyota Carina (first company car), Citroen ZX (engine died), Volvo 940 (t-boned), Volvo 960, V70 TDI, XC90 > then moved to the States. Now drive a 2011 Toyota minivan. Love British Dagenham Fords and Volvo estates. Favourite car, probably MK2 Escort. A simple car that did what I needed cheaply.
I had a rover 214 raced back from Spalding to Boston to pick a friend up it was a hot day sat there waiting smoke coming from the engine the workers from the butcher's brought some water out to fill radiator and I put some chewed up chewing on the thermostat that blew out the side side of my radiator it lasted and got me home good days😅
We just bought a 2009 Volvo S60 here in Australia. Im sure in the U.K it would be very cheap, here in Aus it was $5500 (3000 pounds?). Its done plenty of kilometres, but its still a very nice ride and I love the interior. Early days, but Im very happy with it so far.
Interesting car history, can see why your channel is called "Geoff buys cars", though it could easily have been called "Geoff crashes cars"🤣! My first car was a heavily modded Mk1 escort 1300E in the early '80's, to spare you the boredom (motorbike history is more interesting) my current daily drive has the most freezing cold gear knob in winter (while we're talking gear knobs) ......see if someone can guess what that is......they will if they've owned one. Enjoying the channel, cheers!
Mate, how good was the Isle of Skye? I drove up there from Surrey for two weeks with my preggo wife and my woofer in September just gone in my 2005 Volvo XC70. It was a great family trip generally but I actually found it really profound as well - lots of moments with just me and the car and the mountains. Really incredible and reaffirmed my desire to eventually live in Scotland. Crossed over on to the Outer Hebrides for a week as well which was a completely different experience. Very, very isolationist and moody.
Totally agree. It was eye opening. Thing is, it's not the SPEEDS that you drive, it's the fact that you can do between 60-80mph consistently without any hold ups, and you can see down the entire side of the mountain and just keep going... if you can flow with your car, it's driving like nothing i've experienced before (i mean on the way to / from skye more than on skye) but skye itself was just wonderful. i know it now gets more over run by tourists but scotland and the north really has something special.
First car was a Nissan Micra. G reg. £350. I painted it with metal paint from Wilko. It was grey and I wanted it black with flames, so it was black with flames.
First car was a Ford escort mk6 sedan with brutal lacquer peel for €50. No tax no insurance no licence. Luckily nothing bad ever happened but it only lasted a month before I had to realize it was a bit too lawfully stupid and risky. Now getting a 91 accord for €600 with many issues including a bonnet with paint worn down to the metal. Guess I don’t learn do I…
My first car was a 1969 mk1 ford escort in 1978 . Iv owned a lot of cars over the years all mostly classics now. There is a video on my channel with a few of my old cars if anyone is interested 😁 Vid number 70 ,sorry about the terrible music lol 🎶
Best car ever was a Subaru Impreza gl 2001 AWD not blistering fast but fun on the back roads, worst car was a yaris I got from a family member 2 days after getting it I noticed mold growth all over the interior I cleaned it more than I care to admit always came back and it drove like a biffa bin. Cleanest family car was a 07 Passat TDI mint just had lots of work done pump belt pulleys new rubber all round and it gets written off outside my house by an old lady in a moca she blew 98 on breathalyser saving for a car as I type. Gear knob 😊
You have lots of estates in there, I like estates as well. Some of my favourite ones are Rover 75 estate, Montego estate, Sierra estate, the Vectra B estate and Citroen BX estate.. all handsome stuff, I haven't owned any of them but I fancied each at one time or other.
Yeah man, I had a vw beetle after having a flood of Morris Marina’s and minis but boy that beetle was really heavy on the petrol but it was finished off as a Herby clone and I loved it, i shudda turned it into a gp buggy, now that would have been something else. Niiiiiiiiiiice video man
I only owned the bug about 9 months but that is 9 months of great memories, I took it everywhere! Always have a soft spot for a bug, maybe another one one day...
In no particular order - BMW 525i Auto, BMW 732i Manual, Citroen BX Diesel, Ford Mondeo 1.8 Turbo Diesel, Ford Mondeo 2.0 Turbo Diesel, Ford Sierra 1.8 petrol, Ford Sierra XR 4x4i, MGB GT (kept for 23 years), Peugeot 205 1.9 GTi, Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi, Proton 1.3, Renault 18 1.6, Renault 5 1.7 GTX, Saab 9000 2.0T, Saab 9-3 1.8t, Saab 9-3 2.0t, Saab 9-5 2.3T, Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo, Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 16 valve, Volvo 244, Volvo 740 Turbo, Volvo V70 2.0 10 valve - think that is about it - but I could have missed 1, or slightly more...
I have owned the following. Peugeot 106 1.6 diesel x2 Peugeot 307 1.9 td Mini clubman m-reg (current) Mini clubman estate Rover Mini Cooper Austin mini x4 Austin metro (current) 1988 Ford escort van mk3 x2 Ford transit mk11 Ford transit connect m-sport (current) Skoda Octavia estate 1.6 2007 Citroen Saxo vtr mk2
Aww memory lane... my fave car that i wrote off by being a teenage twat was my beloved black Renault 17 Gordini with its full length sun roof.. it was my Knight Rider car. I was SO upset. I'm still a bit upset about it in truth 😒 The postman bought it for £25 after it got towed home. ❤ Best trip down to Cornwall ever in that babe ❤
We established over gearknob, I mean Christmas that I have no concept of time at all when my girlfriend reminded me that this is our third Christmas together. I thought it was only our second 🤷♂ I think I establish time in what cars I owned too, although my list is a bit shorter. I passed my test in 2015, the cars that I have owned are (in this order); 1997 Toyota Starlet, hand me down car from my nan, 2007 MINI Cooper, which was replaced by a 2004 VW Golf MK4 Estate 1.9 TDi PD130, which was replaced by a 2017 Volvo V90, which is my current car. Purchased a 1999 Toyota Previa in March 2021 (girlfriend owned one years ago, we used to always take pictures when we saw one in public and after a health scare I thought I'd just buy one on a whim for her - I like how odd they are) then in August 2021 I purchased a Volvo 960 (I'd been looking online for old Volvos for ages and just thought I'd get one) as a project to improve on. I was then doing pretty well until I saw your Volvo 850 TDi video a little while ago and now I have an 850TDi too...😂 the Previa's been up to Scotland and done the NC500. I haven't done a great deal with the 960, it's been repaired and gets used over the summer but I tend to use it more for just going to and from work rather than doing the mileage in my V90.
I have a 1988 Austin Metro Red Hot which is like a special edition of the Van Den Plas. It's not driveable but I would love to get it pimped back to original one day, maybe when I retire in a few years time. I currently drive a 1999 Ford Focus 1.8 Ghia which I absolutely love but i's falling to bits LOL (it has character). Would love to know if there are any mechanics watching who could offer a solution to a problem I have with it which seems to be baffling a lot of mechanics. I just want my car fixed. Take care, Poo
Great video, I can relate to a lot of that, just completely different cars, lots of Fords along the way for me, XR3i, RS Turbo S1, Escort GTi, so many memories. First car MK1 Punto SX 85, looking back probably a bit too powerful!
Punto SX85, legendary, where are they all now?! All lost to the 2009 scrappage scheme! There are a few cars that I missed so there needs to be a part to. I forgot 2x Fiesta Zetec S and an Escort XR3i and a transit campervan and a few others...
@@GeoffBuysCars I know Thurleigh Airport where a lot of those scrappage cars reside. Don't get me started! My SX didn't get the chance to end up there, it got wedged between 2 trees upside down :-(
First car in 1985 , 63 mini 850 with 1300 engine and box fitted Then as far as I remember , 72 escort mark one 1300 in horrible green , my dad bought it for me , u you our supposed to say dad that’s wonderful , Dad , it’s Green ! Then 68 spitfire 69 Capri 1300 gtxlr with Matt black bonnet as standard 78 Capri 1600 gl 81 escort xr3 sold after becoming s dad ! 75 escort 1300 estate 81 Renault 18 turbo 87 Renault 5 gt turbo 86 Peugeot 205 gti During the time I owned the Renault 18 and for the next 6 or so years I also had a 75 escort Mexico which I bought for £500 from a farm In Lincolnshire, and messed about with for years until it was stolen 91 Renault 5 gt turbo which i loved , 84 Porsche 924 lux 87 vw golf driver 94 Audi 80 coupe 2.6 97 bmw 318iS e36 98 Saab 93 t cabrio 03 Honda Civic type r For 2009 /2011 my wife had the civic and I ran a couple of old diesel wagons , an 89 Passat 1.9 tdi then a Mercedes’ C250 turbo diesel Civic sold on after my wife got done for speeding and her insurance went through the roof , She leased 3 Citroen C 1s I then had an Audi A4 1.8 estate 99 off eBay for £333 , and I spent not a penny on it for a year until it needed injectiors so I part exes it for a Renault sport engañe 225 on a 56 plate which I loved and hated with the same amount as although it was silly fast and a real hoot to drive , there was always a suspension fault with it . Next was an E92 bmw 320iS 57 plate which was great , until I snapped my Achilles playing football with the over 50s ! Being a manual I couldn’t use my left leg properly for a year so it was sold , it was then i had a moment of clarity and decided i wouldn’t ever buy a car on hp again and that 90s /00s cars are so much fun for so little outlay , I bought an 03 slk 230k for 2k , My wife has it now after seeing the light and returning her final C1 back to Citroen , I have a 95 SL320 that use as my daily , it’s a Labour of love as parts ( even second hand ) are eye wateringly pricey but it’s a great car , drives really well with 159k on the clock , And after finding geoff buys cars on the Inter web I am the owner of the 1997 Volvo V70 surf estate which I am doing a few jobs on and then intend to keep as a third car !
Dunfermline airport, flown from there a million times and Consett International Airport that was along side the Phileas Fogg crisp factory 🤣🤣🤣 Ps Don't forget to mention the Morris Marina 😆
Good video, some solid car choices there (some, not so much... Rover/ford) Glad to see you had a strong veedub upbringing too. Loving the photo of the silver MGF at Polzeath too! Couple of cars shared, Saab 95s had a few of those. Great cars (in aero form anyway) Had a Merc E430 s210, not quite the full beans V8 like yours, but metallic gold with beige leather and every option, it was quite the old man spec! Never had a Rover coupe but had a 216GTi 2 door in BRG. Bought from a chap in Erdington for £50 because it had been involved in an incident where the number 11 bus had come round the corner and took the front corner out right outside the guys house. Picked up a headlight and wing from the scrappy, stood on the bonnet to straighten it out and it was as good as new! 😂 Quick little car actually. Mk3 Mx5 actually holds a record for me as the only car I've ever won on ebay and then denied to go through with by actually listening to logic. Utter bag of nails when I went to pick it up, cost me a train ticket back home but a lucky escape!
Great comment! Your E430 sounds LOVELY! Apparently, from what i've read, the 55 was better on fuel than the 430. Still ranks as one of the nicest engines i've ever had, unfortunately my E55 saloon was just a really terrible example, but I still loved it!
Brilliant video, I've had loads of cars and totally understand what you mean, how what you were driving at the time defines the era. I've had several cars the same as you inc 850 t5 glt auto estate, 220 coupe t bar non turbo, 90 quid! Awesome car! Had 9 months mot, went like fuck. Mk1 caddy, still got one of them, 33k on it!
Had loads of cars over the years then scrapage then I started becoming picky had some newer ones under 7 years old then a 98 93 Saab then 96 V70 D5 auto then 99 D5 auto and have been driving my 99 D5 manual for 4 years now still have the 96 in my lockup the 99 auto was used to rebuild my manual last year after a tractor reversed into me 🤦♂️ insurance wanted to wright it off parts only told them stuff off n rebuilt it in 6 hours 😂🛠👍✌️
The only car I've had similar to any of yours is a silver E46 330i Sport Touring manual which I still own. Worst car ever was a rotten 1980 Saab 900 Turbo 8v which blew its head gasket on the way home from buying it and turned out to be a ringer with two chassis numbers. Best car probably was my 1984 Audi 80 Quattro or my Saab 9000 CD Carlsson. I sold the Saab when it's turbo blew dramatically but really I should have had it repaired and kept it. Great video and very funny...gearknob.
Ah thanks for the comment! I've never had a car die on the way back home, which is impressive considering the hundreds i've bought...! your ringer sounds like a properly scary buy. The old days eh?! The thing is, it probably happens more now with modern cars than ever!
Geoff first car mini1275 gt then1975 toyota celica 2ltr gt ,sold it £800 now £16000,THEN 2.8 GRANADA GHIA .Then toyota super crown ,2.8 then vauxhall senitor 3ltr 24valve in green ,power house mad car 7 off us in it manchester to taunton in 5 hours .then swapped it for fiat 130 coupe smashed it up on beach in southport .
So my journey first car a Peugeot 405gl then a Ford Fiesta 1.4 zetec . On to Bmw's starting with a E30 318. 320 then a 325 being old they cost a small fortune to repair and run. Next came a Mk2 Mondeo 1.8 loved that car , Vauxhall Astra written off when a t*at on a phone slammed into the rear when parked on street. Next a Ford Focus Mk3 1.8 now today a Vauxhall 1.9 Sri diesel vectra which is not too shoddy next hmm anything but electric, quite fancy a Volvo 850!!
My first car (apart from the one I learned in) was a Z3 1.9, loved that thing, feedback from the chassis and steering was so nice. Sold that after a year and now have a TF 135 which I also adore, feels way quicker than the Z3, though the handling and feel of the car isn't quite so confidence inspiring in the corners. Since the cost of living crisis happened my insurance premium went up a bunch and at age 19 I cant afford to be spending 2k a year to continue insuring the MG, so I'll have to get rid of it soon. Any ideas on what I should get next? Something with cheaper insurance than the TF, but still fairly unique and fun to drive.
Having spent time behind the wheel of both, if the handling of your TF is worse than a Z3 there is something severely wrong with it! They are very tyre dependent, anything cheap and it feels like you're on ice!
@@SpitfireFortyFour I don't mean handling as in grip wise necessarily. But I bought the TF for 995 quid so I wouldn't be surprised if there's something wrong behind the scenes that I haven't noticed.
@@dominicrichardson5546 At that price that would make a fair amount of sense. I bought an F for under a grand once, everything about that car felt wrong. As for recommendations how about a 1.4 ZR? Not as cool as Z3 or a TF but they're great fun!
@@dominicrichardson5546 I agree with SF here, the TF should feel more planted than the Z3, but then they can be skittish on the rear end if the bushes aren't checked over. That's what caused my MG F to go sideways the first time when my brother was driving it. The bushes wear on the arms, meaning whilst you're mid corner, the wheels can sort of misbehave and flick you round on yourself...! I loved the 1.9 Z3 because I always felt I could drive it at 110% and never really get into a mess.
@@GeoffBuysCars might be worth me checking the bushings then, I'd imagine they're the ones from factory still so pretty tired. Don't know if I'll bother though since I'm getting rid of it soon. Btw I bought my Z3 from the same guy Sean who you bought a Z3 from a year ago.
Had a 2003 v40 as well, 2.0T rocket but was a little too small / low built for me. I had to duck and break my neck to see the traffic lights😂 really good car though. Got a 2.4 v70 classic (2000) with 170hp. Was always interested in the S80 as well, would have bought one probably if I didn’t have a dog. Those things are warships.
@@matthiasdeboer7938 didn’t know the rear seats had so much room! I was afraid my hyperactive rottweiler would get uncomfortable on a long trip. When watching videos it does seem really plausible. Would love getting one as a second Volvo.
89 BMW E30 325i coupe Calypso Red 87 Volvo 240 GLE estate automatic B200E engine. 88 Jaguar XJ40 3.6 Sovereign 93 Jaguar XJ40 4.0 Sovereign 92 Audi 100 2.8 86 Audi Coupe 2.2 paid £10.00 for it 90 Volvo 960 GLE 95 B4 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 GL automatic Windsor Blue Pearl Metallic 03 Skoda Octavia estate 1.8T 20v 07 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi estate Titanium Currently 2011 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro
Gear knob! I'm only 25 so nowhere near as impressive, but my first car was an Audi A3 1.8 S-Line, mad thing, stage 2 when I was done with it, did shows etc, sold it up in Bradford to a delivery driver 👀 Second car was a Subaru Impreza, one if my childhood favourite cars, but I hated it, slow, uncomfortable and did 15mpg. Now I have an Audi A5 3.0 V6 TDi quattro, do love it but I'm going to get fined or kill myself, it's too tempting to be too fast for my skill, so that will be sold in January to make funds for a 1997 850 2.3 (I was born in 97 so love that) and a cheap as chips "other Volvo" I'm thinking a diesel if I can find one or maybe an S40 or something shit and cheap. Only catch is that it has to be automatic (old war wound 😂) lemme know if you see any cheap as chips auto Volvos around! Especially if they're near our Worcestershire Alps
Gearknob...
WHAT A WONDERFUL VIDEO! I watched it three times now cause it's so entertaining, interesting and inspiring. So many cool cars and so many awesome stories behind. I could spend days with you listening to your episodes and telling you some of mine.
My first car was a Fiat Panda 750 with enormous 34 hp and absolutely no equipment. No servo, no electric windows, no sunroof, no airbags or ABS. But I loved it so much because it was freedom for me. I lowered it, put some nice alloys (Borbet) on it, bought a sporty steering wheel and really took good care of it and it paid off by carrying me around for more than 80.000 kilometers, e.g. up to Denmark, without any problem!
There'd be so much more to tell...
thank you! there's another video coming because i forgot some cars! You did 80,000 in a panda 750? i tip my hat to you!
What a fascinating video! Great to see those cars, and what a very exciting life you've led so far, much more interesting that mine! Terrific video, thanks Geoff.
Great video Geoff. I found it interesting and refreshing that you did not connect with your E39 530d, as the E39 seems to be lauded by everybody.
Great video, not just the cars, but the memories they evoke. It made me think about mine:
1965 Austin Mini (rust...), Allegro 1100 (yes, the worst!), Metro. 1.0, Fiesta XR2 (first new car, fab!), VW Golf mk 2, Fiat Uno Turbo (hedge seeking missile), Fiat Tipo 16v (competes as best car I have owned), Ford Mondeo V6, Saab 9000 (Abbott tuned), Saab 9-3, Mazda RX8 (mid life crisis car, but probably my favourite), Mazda MX-5, Jaguar S-type, Mazda 3, Mazda 6, Mini Cooper, Audi TT, Fiat 500, and looking for the next one!
it' alllll about the memories!
@Geoff Buys Cars Those old VW Beatles where brilliant my mates even had a Spare Engine in his boot.😉😊
Enjoyed this video Geoff . First car was a mk 1 Ford fFesta we swapped for a green Morris Marina , great memories .
Glad you enjoyed it! Had a lot of fun putting it together, I’ll expand on some stories in a future video
Gearknob... This video inspired me to work out how many cars I've personally owned in my 25 years of driving. The answer... 25.
Good going that is! There’s 4 or 5 I forgot, so I’ll do a part 2. Which will probably be even more funny.
Had a 1.25 Fiesta Zetec in silver as the proper first car, I loved that thing, it was rapid and stuck like glue.
Best memory was coming back from RAF Cranfield and blasting back home after being stuck doing selection for 10 hours.
It may have gone some way to explaining why the engine blew up a few months later whilst my sister was on the M5.
After I passed my test 17-18 years old, I had use of a Renault Traffic Van (my Fav.), then a Feista, 1.0L and then an Orion, then a Fiat wagonoldsmobile,, then a Granada, then, a Merc E 300, then a Mitsubishi Shogun Sport 3.0 V6, (elegance) sold too cheap, then a Suzuki Jimny, now a Ford B-Max sliding rear doors, hatchback 2015 plate. and also Electric bike too, which I use most days.
My first car was a Renault 12. During a very bad relationship, the numpty I was seeing, decided to drive it to a country lane and set fire to it, while I was asleep. My weirdest was a Volvo C70...if you went round a sharp bend, with the roof down, the passenger door came open! My most expensive car, is the Mazda 6, which I have now. I paid £8,000 cash for it, less than 2 years ago. About 8 months in, the turbo went. The RAC towed my to the main dealer, who charged me 2 grand to fix it. Then, a few months ago, the headgasket went...another £2,000! Now, I feel like I can't afford to sell it. I also know why I prefer my Ducati!
Love a good Gearknob, my first car was a mint 96 850 T5, had it for a little over a year, then a drunk driver took it away from me a week ago. Hope i get enough from the insurance to buy another one, loved that thing and it saved my life. The Z3's you showed are sooo beautiful. Cheers mate
My first car when I was learning to drive was a Ford Mondeo estate and when I passed my test it was a Volvo 740 estate and it will always be my favourite car. I did have a Vauxhaul Astra with a dodgy Gear knob had trouble getting it into 5 th gear
Absolutely devo'd that when you were talking about the post merge-crash texting apologies that the next line wasn't......"and we became really good mates and he was best man at my wedding"
ha ha ha!! no, we never became mates, but he did buy me some expensive t cut and polish to say sorry. i think that was the turning point in my relationship though, the gf was in the car and my behaviour that day may have been the final straw, ha ha.
Gear knob. First car was Morris Marina 1.3…I can still remember the reg. I had a 79 black Trans Am that I still see around occasionally and blimey they have gone up in value. Favourite was probably the 1984 Audi Coupe 2.2…I did the around the coast of Britain road trip (4300 odd miles) and then it became my tow car when I raced a 1.6 Golf in Rally Cross…currently , I have had my mk 1 V70 2.4T a couple of months and in true Geoff fashion it’s work in progress 😊 For a car approaching 23 years old it surprises “non Geoff’s” how nice it is 😊
Crash after crash after crash! Remind me never, EVER, to get in a car that you're driving. I was given my first car in bits when I was 15. I spent 2 years building it only to be told by my father that a bright red 1937 Singer Le Mans was not a suitable car for a driving test. He found me a 1938 Triumph Gloria and I passed.
The first car I bought for myself was a 1954 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, and I've had many American cars (mainly Cadillacs) since then. There has been an assortment of Bentleys, Rolls Royces, Jaguars, Mercedes-Benz and now I'm on my 7th Lexus; a GS300 SE-L, with which I'm very happy. In my 60 years behind the wheel, including many years of racing, there are a few things I've never had. They include a ticket of any kind, an Insurance claim for any reason, and apart from one memorable incident at Brands Hatch 35 years ago; a crash of any kind. I've never been a slow driver, but I endeavour to be a safe driver. In my humble opinion, there's no excuse for crashing. If you're in a situation where you're going to either hit or be hit; it's your fault. No-one else put you in that situation - just you. I've heard it said that it's impossible to anticipate every situation on the road. Mainly due to the fairly high percentage of idiots, but it may sound arrogant, but I've always been taught to "think idiot!" - because they're out there, everywhere. The last thing ive never had is a diesel. I was brought up to believe that diesel engines in cars are the work of the Devil and belong in trucks, buses and boats. Fit only to be driven by a certain type of person who generally lives in a cloud of smelly blue (or black) smoke. Alright, that's very tongue in cheek, of course it is, and I expect there are some good diesel cars out there. I just don't like diesel, it's very personal, but I drove a diesel Volvo S80 diesel automatic for around 2,000 miles once; and it was just awful - to be able to hear the engine in such a well-built, luxury car, was simply unforgivable. Compared to the petrol version, which I loved, the diesel was a real let-down.
Anyway, great channel, very entertaining, do try not to crash. Enjoy life behind the wheel
Gear knob. Just going through your back catalogue Geoff and thought I'd comment. Off the top of my head I've had 1 Allegro, 3 Cortinas, 3 mk 1 Astras, Rover 213, mk1 Fiesta, Mk 3 Fiesta, mk2 Fiesta Xr2, Orion Ghia, Orion Ghia injection, 2 Cavalier Sri mk3s, mk2 Golf Gti, Clio 182, Leon FR diesel and Leon Cupra over 31 years or so (not all in that order) Some short term, some much longer. 2 things spring to mind - 1. I appear to be quite lazy and often buy multiples of the same cars, probably as I hate the hassle of selling cars and 2. I've never had a BMW. Keep up the good work mate.
Mg Metro, Audi 80 Quattro saloon, Citroën Ax Gt. Probably more...
First time I have seen on TH-cam someone talks about their car history , very interesting ,
Nice video, thanks for sharing! I also had a Beetle as a first car, it was a pain because it was poorly maintained, my most reliable car was a Toyota Carina II. Cureently I own a Volvo V70 that I have had for almost 10 years, solid car, and my beloved 1997 850 GLT (Your videos, reviews and love for the 850´s has a lot to do with that purchase)
Regards from Sweden!
So glad that I can inspire people to enjoy these cars!! I did love my run of BMW E46s but the Volvo is just... I dunno. I just love it.
First car Mk2 escort 1.3 very rusty but white 2 door 1.6 engine out of a Capri. I didnt refit the airfilter housing back on and it kept spitting fuel out of carb. One day smoke entered the cabin while me and the future Mrs C. where on way to my future inlaws. So I jumped out, opened the bonnet and had to beat the flames out with my Tshirt. Amazingly I closed bonnet and restarted engine and continued our journey. We still laugh about it to this day.🙂
that's a story to cherish that is!!
No way, you were parked up outside my barbers in Bromsgrove and the Chinese that I go to! Both fine establishments with a fine motor outside them!
Brilliant video, thanks for sharing your life with us! I run from a very different period to you, my first car was a Standard vanguard - the one use by the RAF, a big old bus of a thing, the only reason I got it was because it only cost £8.10s. 0d !! Vauxhall Viva, Mini Cooper S, Mini Cooper Groundog, Minivan 1000cc
Ford Anglia (!) Another Viva, Austin 1300, Wolsey 1800 Auto (great car) Gearbox failed, temporary Hlillman ex police car, evey panel dented but went like the wind, Ford Cortina Mk3 had that a few years, had some funny moments with that, temp car Cortina mK2, Morris Marina 1.8 (S?) crap car, went like a rocket but floated around on the motorway like a cork on the ocean, Vauxhall Cavalier, brilliant car for an aging geezer, couldn't run out of petrol in it! Volvo 740x2, Ford Granada Ghia - another great motor, too expensive to run in the end, VW polo great motor didn't like the cold though, Ford Orion GL had this one for years - family car. Lexus - lovely motor till it turned into a steam engine on the motorway. In the midst of all that somewhere I drove a Ford Lotus which I can never remeber the model. Against your career with motors mine looks a bit palid but you clearly had a lot of fun! Actually made me feel a bit boring!
Really enjoyed this one Geoff. Sounds like you had an absolute ball. With the way things are going with the price of rent and food and the government wanting to price cars off the road, how long do you think you will continue to manage to own and run fun cars ? My information is that the insurance companies are about to be used/controlled to make sure nobody will be able to afford insurance for anything other than the most basic and mundane of cars in existence.
Excellent video! My first car was Fiat Punto mk1 Sporting, second car mk2 Sporting, later Chevrolet Camaro z28 and now i have a mk1 Volvo V70 TDI (same engine your 850). This is my favourite car all of time. Greetings from Slovakia!
Thanks for sharing! Love that you have a TDi too, watch out for the timing belts! Punto sporting have all disappeared in the UK
What a fantastic video. Absolutely loved this 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!!!! I enjoyed making it.
Best car ever black 9-5 aero which I bought for 500 euros, cant even count how many bmws I smoked. That was fun, soon getting another one, but this time with lsd and a tune
I have a list of all cars owned, actually it is a spreadsheet and includes the total of my losses in depreciation, and worryingly it does not include all prices paid/sold. And unlike you, I have yet to sell a car for a profit! I do not want to re-read that list, but from recollection: £168K lost over nearly 50 years! 😭 I started out buying cheap cars and am now re-entering that realm, hence watching Geoff. What I don't get is why I can remember my first three cars registrations, but none of my current?
Vauxhall viva, Ford escort estate mk1, Ford escort estate mk2, 1275gt mini, bmw 320, Yugo, mazda323, rover sd1, Audi coupe gt, Audi Quattro coupe, Vauxhall calibra 16v, mk3 golf, Mercedes 200, Mazda mx5, Subaru Legacy estate, Honda Civic type r. Still miss the subaru.
Have owned 745 motorbikes, but only 240 odd cars since was 16. First car was MG Magnette ZA for £65, second was 1954 Ford Anglia for £15. Went downhill after that. Best practical car was 740 estate with 2.3 petrol engine, could carry huge amounts in it. Should/could still make them. No stupid electrics to kill the car.
Loved this and just the same my memories are based on cars. I can’t tell your right now where my car keys are but can remember the about I spent on each are down to the penny 😂😂❤️. Loved the vid thanks you man
Excellent GBC! My history involves many many cars, but my first was a 1974 Mini 1000, purple, paid £140 and the door fell off (literally) when I got it home. My Dad helped me get it back on the road and it was resprayed the same colour as the vans at his work… what a coincidence 😂 Best car, brand new Nissan 200SX company car back in ‘99 emerald green, pimped pale cream leather… T336HUD (sadly lives no more)… oh and “gear knob” GBC!
Damn a 200SX company car, that is very, very cool. I remember my dad borrowed one of his colleague's cars who just had a new 200SX, I thought it was the best thing ever. You can't find those at all can you!
MG, MX5 and Z3 - Had a go in all the Convertibles! Great Video Geoff! 🚗
I love me a convertible I do! roof off, no matter what.
My first car was an Austin 1100 J registration.#2 was an Austin Pricess 2.2 HLS #2Jguar xj6 4.2 #456789,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20 were all Xj's an XJS a coupe 4.2 , a v12 HE and also before that a v12 Daimler double six then a Bentley T1 and various Range rover classics then a Bentley turbo r which I still have, but best of all is our family every day car which we imported is a Mitsubishi Delica D5 in black electric doors, ac sub woofer stereo cameras all around 4x4 brilliant family car. And good on fuel.
Great watch Geoff 👍 got me thinking me and my family should probably do some good road trips abroad! I’ve only had 7 cars I’m 30 now but my current car is a V70R had it 3 years quite a lucky buy really as I wanted a Volvo saw these had 300hp and bought one not really knowing what they were! Think I’ll keep hold of this for a long time!
74 Avenger, Cortina MK2, Cortina MK3 (stolen), Escort MK1 (killed by rust), Mini (rusted out), Mini Clubman (stolen), bright orange Escort MK2 {rear ended}, Cortina MK4 (killed by a friend - don't lend your cars out). 87 Micra, 89 Toyota Carina (first company car), Citroen ZX (engine died), Volvo 940 (t-boned), Volvo 960, V70 TDI, XC90 > then moved to the States. Now drive a 2011 Toyota minivan. Love British Dagenham Fords and Volvo estates. Favourite car, probably MK2 Escort. A simple car that did what I needed cheaply.
You are a car killer, ha ha
@@GeoffBuysCars in fairness, I started driving in 1980! But rust used to be a major problem.
I had a rover 214 raced back from Spalding to Boston to pick a friend up it was a hot day sat there waiting smoke coming from the engine the workers from the butcher's brought some water out to fill radiator and I put some chewed up chewing on the thermostat that blew out the side side of my radiator it lasted and got me home good days😅
We just bought a 2009 Volvo S60 here in Australia. Im sure in the U.K it would be very cheap, here in Aus it was $5500 (3000 pounds?). Its done plenty of kilometres, but its still a very nice ride and I love the interior. Early days, but Im very happy with it so far.
Unfortunately cars are very expensive in Australia relative to the UK 😮
Interesting car history, can see why your channel is called "Geoff buys cars", though it could easily have been called "Geoff crashes cars"🤣! My first car was a heavily modded Mk1 escort 1300E in the early '80's, to spare you the boredom (motorbike history is more interesting) my current daily drive has the most freezing cold gear knob in winter (while we're talking gear knobs) ......see if someone can guess what that is......they will if they've owned one. Enjoying the channel, cheers!
Fantastic video very informative thank you 🙏🏽
Mate, how good was the Isle of Skye? I drove up there from Surrey for two weeks with my preggo wife and my woofer in September just gone in my 2005 Volvo XC70. It was a great family trip generally but I actually found it really profound as well - lots of moments with just me and the car and the mountains. Really incredible and reaffirmed my desire to eventually live in Scotland. Crossed over on to the Outer Hebrides for a week as well which was a completely different experience. Very, very isolationist and moody.
Totally agree. It was eye opening. Thing is, it's not the SPEEDS that you drive, it's the fact that you can do between 60-80mph consistently without any hold ups, and you can see down the entire side of the mountain and just keep going... if you can flow with your car, it's driving like nothing i've experienced before (i mean on the way to / from skye more than on skye) but skye itself was just wonderful. i know it now gets more over run by tourists but scotland and the north really has something special.
When I saw the photo of you with the Beetle my brain immediately went 'GeoffHadHair'!
I know 😂😂😂😂😂
First car was a Nissan Micra. G reg. £350. I painted it with metal paint from Wilko. It was grey and I wanted it black with flames, so it was black with flames.
I got pulled over about 3 times a week back then. "I could hear you was speeding." "...No you couldn't, becuase I wasn't"...
First car was a Ford escort mk6 sedan with brutal lacquer peel for €50. No tax no insurance no licence. Luckily nothing bad ever happened but it only lasted a month before I had to realize it was a bit too lawfully stupid and risky. Now getting a 91 accord for €600 with many issues including a bonnet with paint worn down to the metal. Guess I don’t learn do I…
My first car was a 1969 mk1 ford escort in 1978 .
Iv owned a lot of cars over the years all mostly classics now.
There is a video on my channel with a few of my old cars if anyone is interested 😁
Vid number 70 ,sorry about the terrible music lol 🎶
Best car ever was a Subaru Impreza gl 2001 AWD not blistering fast but fun on the back roads, worst car was a yaris I got from a family member 2 days after getting it I noticed mold growth all over the interior I cleaned it more than I care to admit always came back and it drove like a biffa bin.
Cleanest family car was a 07 Passat TDI mint just had lots of work done pump belt pulleys new rubber all round and it gets written off outside my house by an old lady in a moca she blew 98 on breathalyser saving for a car as I type. Gear knob 😊
You have lots of estates in there, I like estates as well. Some of my favourite ones are Rover 75 estate, Montego estate, Sierra estate, the Vectra B estate and Citroen BX estate.. all handsome stuff, I haven't owned any of them but I fancied each at one time or other.
hard to find Vectra B estates now!
I'd love to have a go of driving a Montego Perkins-powered estate. ;)
Yeah man, I had a vw beetle after having a flood of Morris Marina’s and minis but boy that beetle was really heavy on the petrol but it was finished off as a Herby clone and I loved it, i shudda turned it into a gp buggy, now that would have been something else. Niiiiiiiiiiice video man
I only owned the bug about 9 months but that is 9 months of great memories, I took it everywhere! Always have a soft spot for a bug, maybe another one one day...
In no particular order - BMW 525i Auto, BMW 732i Manual, Citroen BX Diesel, Ford Mondeo 1.8 Turbo Diesel, Ford Mondeo 2.0 Turbo Diesel, Ford Sierra 1.8 petrol, Ford Sierra XR 4x4i, MGB GT (kept for 23 years), Peugeot 205 1.9 GTi, Peugeot 309 1.9 GTi, Proton 1.3, Renault 18 1.6, Renault 5 1.7 GTX, Saab 9000 2.0T, Saab 9-3 1.8t, Saab 9-3 2.0t, Saab 9-5 2.3T, Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo, Vauxhall Corsa 1.4 16 valve, Volvo 244, Volvo 740 Turbo, Volvo V70 2.0 10 valve - think that is about it - but I could have missed 1, or slightly more...
Some very cool cars in there Tim!
@@GeoffBuysCars - and forgot the Orion 1.6i (should probably never speak of that again actually - it was totally sh*te)
I have owned the following.
Peugeot 106 1.6 diesel x2
Peugeot 307 1.9 td
Mini clubman m-reg (current)
Mini clubman estate
Rover Mini Cooper
Austin mini x4
Austin metro (current) 1988
Ford escort van mk3 x2
Ford transit mk11
Ford transit connect m-sport (current)
Skoda Octavia estate 1.6 2007
Citroen Saxo vtr mk2
Aww memory lane... my fave car that i wrote off by being a teenage twat was my beloved black Renault 17 Gordini with its full length sun roof.. it was my Knight Rider car. I was SO upset. I'm still a bit upset about it in truth 😒
The postman bought it for £25 after it got towed home.
❤ Best trip down to Cornwall ever in that babe ❤
We established over gearknob, I mean Christmas that I have no concept of time at all when my girlfriend reminded me that this is our third Christmas together. I thought it was only our second 🤷♂ I think I establish time in what cars I owned too, although my list is a bit shorter. I passed my test in 2015, the cars that I have owned are (in this order); 1997 Toyota Starlet, hand me down car from my nan, 2007 MINI Cooper, which was replaced by a 2004 VW Golf MK4 Estate 1.9 TDi PD130, which was replaced by a 2017 Volvo V90, which is my current car.
Purchased a 1999 Toyota Previa in March 2021 (girlfriend owned one years ago, we used to always take pictures when we saw one in public and after a health scare I thought I'd just buy one on a whim for her - I like how odd they are) then in August 2021 I purchased a Volvo 960 (I'd been looking online for old Volvos for ages and just thought I'd get one) as a project to improve on. I was then doing pretty well until I saw your Volvo 850 TDi video a little while ago and now I have an 850TDi too...😂 the Previa's been up to Scotland and done the NC500. I haven't done a great deal with the 960, it's been repaired and gets used over the summer but I tend to use it more for just going to and from work rather than doing the mileage in my V90.
I have a 1988 Austin Metro Red Hot which is like a special edition of the Van Den Plas. It's not driveable but I would love to get it pimped back to original one day, maybe when I retire in a few years time. I currently drive a 1999 Ford Focus 1.8 Ghia which I absolutely love but i's falling to bits LOL (it has character). Would love to know if there are any mechanics watching who could offer a solution to a problem I have with it which seems to be baffling a lot of mechanics. I just want my car fixed. Take care, Poo
Great video, I can relate to a lot of that, just completely different cars, lots of Fords along the way for me, XR3i, RS Turbo S1, Escort GTi, so many memories. First car MK1 Punto SX 85, looking back probably a bit too powerful!
Punto SX85, legendary, where are they all now?! All lost to the 2009 scrappage scheme! There are a few cars that I missed so there needs to be a part to. I forgot 2x Fiesta Zetec S and an Escort XR3i and a transit campervan and a few others...
@@GeoffBuysCars I know Thurleigh Airport where a lot of those scrappage cars reside. Don't get me started! My SX didn't get the chance to end up there, it got wedged between 2 trees upside down :-(
@@danpestell2011 Are they still there...?
@@GeoffBuysCars I'll check next week for you... last time I went they were
First car in 1985 , 63 mini 850 with 1300 engine and box fitted
Then as far as I remember ,
72 escort mark one 1300 in horrible green , my dad bought it for me , u you our supposed to say dad that’s wonderful ,
Dad , it’s Green !
Then 68 spitfire
69 Capri 1300 gtxlr with Matt black bonnet as standard
78 Capri 1600 gl
81 escort xr3 sold after becoming s dad !
75 escort 1300 estate
81 Renault 18 turbo
87 Renault 5 gt turbo
86 Peugeot 205 gti
During the time I owned the Renault 18 and for the next 6 or so years I also had a 75 escort Mexico which I bought for £500 from a farm In Lincolnshire, and messed about with for years until it was stolen
91 Renault 5 gt turbo which i loved ,
84 Porsche 924 lux
87 vw golf driver
94 Audi 80 coupe 2.6
97 bmw 318iS e36
98 Saab 93 t cabrio
03 Honda Civic type r
For 2009 /2011 my wife had the civic and I ran a couple of old diesel wagons , an 89 Passat 1.9 tdi then a Mercedes’ C250 turbo diesel
Civic sold on after my wife got done for speeding and her insurance went through the roof ,
She leased 3 Citroen C 1s I then had an Audi A4 1.8 estate 99 off eBay for £333 , and I spent not a penny on it for a year until it needed injectiors so I part exes it for a
Renault sport engañe 225 on a 56 plate which I loved and hated with the same amount as although it was silly fast and a real hoot to drive , there was always a suspension fault with it .
Next was an E92 bmw 320iS 57 plate which was great , until I snapped my Achilles playing football with the over 50s ! Being a manual I couldn’t use my left leg properly for a year so it was sold , it was then i had a moment of clarity and decided i wouldn’t ever buy a car on hp again and that 90s /00s cars are so much fun for so little outlay , I bought an 03 slk 230k for 2k ,
My wife has it now after seeing the light and returning her final C1 back to Citroen ,
I have a 95 SL320 that use as my daily , it’s a Labour of love as parts ( even second hand ) are eye wateringly pricey but it’s a great car , drives really well with 159k on the clock ,
And after finding geoff buys cars on the Inter web I am the owner of the 1997 Volvo V70 surf estate which I am doing a few jobs on and then intend to keep as a third car !
Great gear knobs
Dunfermline airport, flown from there a million times and Consett International Airport that was along side the Phileas Fogg crisp factory 🤣🤣🤣
Ps Don't forget to mention the Morris Marina 😆
Good video, some solid car choices there (some, not so much... Rover/ford) Glad to see you had a strong veedub upbringing too. Loving the photo of the silver MGF at Polzeath too!
Couple of cars shared, Saab 95s had a few of those. Great cars (in aero form anyway)
Had a Merc E430 s210, not quite the full beans V8 like yours, but metallic gold with beige leather and every option, it was quite the old man spec!
Never had a Rover coupe but had a 216GTi 2 door in BRG. Bought from a chap in Erdington for £50 because it had been involved in an incident where the number 11 bus had come round the corner and took the front corner out right outside the guys house. Picked up a headlight and wing from the scrappy, stood on the bonnet to straighten it out and it was as good as new! 😂 Quick little car actually.
Mk3 Mx5 actually holds a record for me as the only car I've ever won on ebay and then denied to go through with by actually listening to logic. Utter bag of nails when I went to pick it up, cost me a train ticket back home but a lucky escape!
Great comment! Your E430 sounds LOVELY! Apparently, from what i've read, the 55 was better on fuel than the 430. Still ranks as one of the nicest engines i've ever had, unfortunately my E55 saloon was just a really terrible example, but I still loved it!
Ah and good spot on the Polzeath reference. Did you notice the black Z3 above Watergate Bay though...?
@@GeoffBuysCars didn't spot that one!
Hoping to get an MX5 as my first car once I pass my test
Brilliant video, I've had loads of cars and totally understand what you mean, how what you were driving at the time defines the era. I've had several cars the same as you inc 850 t5 glt auto estate, 220 coupe t bar non turbo, 90 quid! Awesome car! Had 9 months mot, went like fuck. Mk1 caddy, still got one of them, 33k on it!
Had loads of cars over the years then scrapage then I started becoming picky had some newer ones under 7 years old then a 98 93 Saab then 96 V70 D5 auto then 99 D5 auto and have been driving my 99 D5 manual for 4 years now still have the 96 in my lockup the 99 auto was used to rebuild my manual last year after a tractor reversed into me 🤦♂️ insurance wanted to wright it off parts only told them stuff off n rebuilt it in 6 hours 😂🛠👍✌️
The only car I've had similar to any of yours is a silver E46 330i Sport Touring manual which I still own.
Worst car ever was a rotten 1980 Saab 900 Turbo 8v which blew its head gasket on the way home from buying it and turned out to be a ringer with two chassis numbers.
Best car probably was my 1984 Audi 80 Quattro or my Saab 9000 CD Carlsson. I sold the Saab when
it's turbo blew dramatically but really I should have had it repaired and kept it.
Great video and very funny...gearknob.
Ah thanks for the comment! I've never had a car die on the way back home, which is impressive considering the hundreds i've bought...! your ringer sounds like a properly scary buy. The old days eh?! The thing is, it probably happens more now with modern cars than ever!
Geoff first car mini1275 gt then1975 toyota celica 2ltr gt ,sold it £800 now £16000,THEN 2.8 GRANADA GHIA .Then toyota super crown ,2.8 then vauxhall senitor 3ltr 24valve in green ,power house mad car 7 off us in it manchester to taunton in 5 hours .then swapped it for fiat 130 coupe smashed it up on beach in southport .
Solihull? I thought I recognised the Brummie accent. I grew up in Solihull, left in 1986.
So my journey first car a Peugeot 405gl then a Ford Fiesta 1.4 zetec . On to Bmw's starting with a E30 318. 320 then a 325 being old they cost a small fortune to repair and run. Next came a Mk2 Mondeo 1.8 loved that car , Vauxhall Astra written off when a t*at on a phone slammed into the rear when parked on street. Next a Ford Focus Mk3 1.8 now today a Vauxhall 1.9 Sri diesel vectra which is not too shoddy next hmm anything but electric, quite fancy a Volvo 850!!
Get a Volvo 850, they last forever!
My first car (apart from the one I learned in) was a Z3 1.9, loved that thing, feedback from the chassis and steering was so nice. Sold that after a year and now have a TF 135 which I also adore, feels way quicker than the Z3, though the handling and feel of the car isn't quite so confidence inspiring in the corners. Since the cost of living crisis happened my insurance premium went up a bunch and at age 19 I cant afford to be spending 2k a year to continue insuring the MG, so I'll have to get rid of it soon. Any ideas on what I should get next? Something with cheaper insurance than the TF, but still fairly unique and fun to drive.
Having spent time behind the wheel of both, if the handling of your TF is worse than a Z3 there is something severely wrong with it! They are very tyre dependent, anything cheap and it feels like you're on ice!
@@SpitfireFortyFour I don't mean handling as in grip wise necessarily. But I bought the TF for 995 quid so I wouldn't be surprised if there's something wrong behind the scenes that I haven't noticed.
@@dominicrichardson5546 At that price that would make a fair amount of sense. I bought an F for under a grand once, everything about that car felt wrong. As for recommendations how about a 1.4 ZR? Not as cool as Z3 or a TF but they're great fun!
@@dominicrichardson5546 I agree with SF here, the TF should feel more planted than the Z3, but then they can be skittish on the rear end if the bushes aren't checked over. That's what caused my MG F to go sideways the first time when my brother was driving it. The bushes wear on the arms, meaning whilst you're mid corner, the wheels can sort of misbehave and flick you round on yourself...! I loved the 1.9 Z3 because I always felt I could drive it at 110% and never really get into a mess.
@@GeoffBuysCars might be worth me checking the bushings then, I'd imagine they're the ones from factory still so pretty tired. Don't know if I'll bother though since I'm getting rid of it soon. Btw I bought my Z3 from the same guy Sean who you bought a Z3 from a year ago.
Gearknob.... Huge variety of cool cars there Geoff, disappointed by the lack of Volvos though... I guess you made up for it in the youtube era!
Yeah I was all BmW in my earlier years!!
Nah, I'm a Honda Boy --- of the 2 Wheeled variety 😆
This was like crime watch. "Did you buy it?"
My first car was a 1996 Volvo 440 then a Volvo V40 2003 after that a Rover 45 2004 and now a Volvo S80 2002.
I like the S80, never had one!
Had a 2003 v40 as well, 2.0T rocket but was a little too small / low built for me. I had to duck and break my neck to see the traffic lights😂 really good car though. Got a 2.4 v70 classic (2000) with 170hp.
Was always interested in the S80 as well, would have bought one probably if I didn’t have a dog. Those things are warships.
@@VolvoMoose13 yeah the V40 is low I love the S80 the dog just sits in the rear it is so comfortabel!
@@matthiasdeboer7938 didn’t know the rear seats had so much room! I was afraid my hyperactive rottweiler would get uncomfortable on a long trip. When watching videos it does seem really plausible. Would love getting one as a second Volvo.
Ford Thames 105e 5cwt van with rear seats
dunfermline not stone throw from me lol
What do consider as good mpg?
Has to be above 40 for me for a daily
89 BMW E30 325i coupe Calypso Red
87 Volvo 240 GLE estate automatic B200E engine.
88 Jaguar XJ40 3.6 Sovereign
93 Jaguar XJ40 4.0 Sovereign
92 Audi 100 2.8
86 Audi Coupe 2.2 paid £10.00 for it
90 Volvo 960 GLE
95 B4 Volkswagen Passat 2.0 GL automatic Windsor Blue Pearl Metallic
03 Skoda Octavia estate 1.8T 20v
07 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi estate Titanium
Currently 2011 Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro
some nice cars there!
@Geoff Buys Cars
Wish I still had a few of them haha, especially the 240 GLE estate
Whoop whoop got a name drop
Ha ha yeah you did! Remember pushing that van?!
Yes mate, was when we worked at that bio diesel factory and I crashed the fork lift truck
Gear knb always what to end
Gear knob! I'm only 25 so nowhere near as impressive, but my first car was an Audi A3 1.8 S-Line, mad thing, stage 2 when I was done with it, did shows etc, sold it up in Bradford to a delivery driver 👀 Second car was a Subaru Impreza, one if my childhood favourite cars, but I hated it, slow, uncomfortable and did 15mpg. Now I have an Audi A5 3.0 V6 TDi quattro, do love it but I'm going to get fined or kill myself, it's too tempting to be too fast for my skill, so that will be sold in January to make funds for a 1997 850 2.3 (I was born in 97 so love that) and a cheap as chips "other Volvo" I'm thinking a diesel if I can find one or maybe an S40 or something shit and cheap. Only catch is that it has to be automatic (old war wound 😂) lemme know if you see any cheap as chips auto Volvos around! Especially if they're near our Worcestershire Alps
you were born in 97, i feel old. massive internet points for using the term 'worcestershire alps' ha ha
@@GeoffBuysCars aha apologies! But yes indeed! I refuse to calm them anything else 😂
Gear knob.
ha ha thank you!
GearKnob
Hate those merge inturn filters, Theres always a bellend that trys to force their way infront. Its inturn, Not 2 then 1.