Decision making is not my strong point.

[clivvy]

helps!

so heres my dilema. My Mazda requires new handbrake-brakes work fine, but handbrake wont hold on steep hills. Anyhoo, im also looking to buy another used Mazda or Ford. So far, I havent bought the new handbrake cable for the MX6, thats approx £70 for all three parts, and will probably cost £100 to fit, and I need the car sorted for my holiday next weekend. Im also hoping to go look at a Mazda 323f V6 tomorrow night or Saturday morning, if its worth it, ill buy it £694 plus £112 tax.

the issue is-do I fix the Mazda MX6 but stuggle to get the parts in time and find a garage plus obviously the cost of nearly £300 OR do I buy the Mazda 323 that comes with 12 months mot and seems nice (but has 111k miles and no idea if cambelts been done)

??

i am currently looking for a new used car anyway, and want a Mazda 323f ZXI, so it makes some sense to buy the car before holiday, and use holiday as a run in period...

[(RIP) PLANK]

either way it's a gamble, at least if you buy the new car and it should (but i'm sure it wont) let you down you have another at home that only needs a cable to fix!

if you were closer i might be able to help you out, my daughter and her partner both work for mazda!

[larson]

what i would do is drive the mx6 with no handbrake and take a brick to pop under the wheel when you get there:D

[jims-terrano]

Buy a second Terrano and mod it:thumbs

Jim

[clivvy]

well, i suppose all I can do, is go look. Unless im giving Jim a lift tomorrow to pick his car up, ill go look at the Mazda tomorrow night and make a call based on thed drive. as Plank says, if the new ones breaks, ive still got a perfectly functional MX6, and money wise id be no worse off than I am now (as im borrowing the money for the 323f)

Its always a risk with used cars, but id really like to start afresh with a 323f, and if its in good nick, this one is a good starting point. If the body work is dent free, rust free, im happy. if the windows are scratch free, im happy. if the air con works, etc etc, ill buy it. if the cambelt hasnt been done, i have untill approx 116k miles to do it, so im ok, the cost would be approx£350 including parts and labour-the same work and cost is due on the MX6 anyway so again, im no worse off.

I cant afford another terrano, have you seen those prices!?

If I get the 323, i will claim back what little tax is left on my mx-6, and sell it very cheaply to someone :( ill be sad to see it go.

[clivvy]

what i would do is drive the mx6 with no handbrake and take a brick to pop under the wheel when you get there:D

actually, worst case scenario is ill drive it to norfolk, i thought about it tonight, and it does hold, just not well on a steep hill-Norfolk doesnt have any steep hills. Where we are staying, theres one particular hill that might prove tricky but its avoidable...

[(RIP) PLANK]

put it in gear and turn the wheels into the kerb!

if the other one seems good, leae a deposit and collect when you get home, sorted :thumb2

[jims-terrano]

What ever you do make sure you have some kind of recovery cover for peace of mind.

Don't worry about me getting over to collect the truck, I'll make it one way or another just get yourself sorted. Wife can take me in the Scenic.

Jim

[larson]

jim if your realy stuck text me and ill see what i can do

[(RIP) PLANK]

out of interest where is moomin valley?

[larson]

im not telling... google it

i forgot i put that...

[(RIP) PLANK]

just a vague clue? google says 'the city of Tampere, Finland' that's a long way to go to give jim a tow lol

[larson]

http://www.classickidstv.co.uk/wiki/Moomin

i live about 10 miles from jim
or 8 from clive
or 5 from briggie

[clivvy]

isnt moomin valley where the moomins live

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://img.listal.com/image/681715/600full-the-moomins-screenshot.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.listal.com/viewimage/681715&h=406&w=575&sz=158&tbnid=kl_C3QhDpY38TM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=134&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmoomins&zoom=1&q=moomins&hl=en&usg=__OZWv6Xwgkmr-WkfPvyzdz08coLs=&sa=X&ei=MW-3TKWREMz_4AaT543QCQ&ved=0CCgQ9QEwAQ

[(RIP) PLANK]

i see :doh

i feel daft now :lol

[larson]

snork maidens well fit:augie if your a moomin that is

[jims-terrano]

Thanks Larson:thumbs

As for moomin's, steady on they eat Dock Leaves further up the calder valley in your neck of the woods don't they.

Anyway back on topic.

Hey Clive will the 323 be small enough for Mrs clivvy to drive?

Jim

[clivvy]

we're not sure Jim, she says she'll have a go. they are bigger than a Puma BUT much better visibility, I hope she can TBH because otherwise we'll need to buy her a small car, and we will be back to being a three car family!

Im hoping once shes in, and gets used to the power steering etc she'll handle it ok, her main concern is parking, and admittedly the 323F's are BAD for reverse parking because of the odd rear bumper, but im not telling her that.

im going to ring the guy today, ask a bit about it, and make arrangements to go see but i bet you anything, its sold!