Is a good discussion for sure. I think it's a curve ... once you took an 'unknown car' and shook it down .... the normal raft of brakes, pipes, bushes, bearings, oddball electrics and a service and a metal grind down, then you then essentially have a 'known car'. But for sure that can come at an effort and to some extent a cost. The welding is what confines most cars of this age to the scrap yard ... rarely the running gear and that's a shame I think. I've been through that same pain curve as Nissanboy on our K11 and 106 Pug and I do believe it to be worthwhile ... if a little hard work on the hands.
Looking across the folks I know, they tend to buy a car, get all enthusiastic about it, tell everyone 'what a good deal it was' then realise that it came their way for a reason ... not every time, but in the main because someone knew it was about to incur time and cost. And then of course they quietly dump it and then discover a new jewel that they repeat the same enthusiasm and process with and ECP get very fat off these folks. Now just to say that clearly does not apply to plm who more than clearly knows his stuff and knows his strategy and I have zero doubt works for him....but the folks round me? ... a lot less so.
A great example relates to our current K11. Lent it to daughter No.2 at a rough period of life (it tends get doled out to strugglers and then return home) as it was solid, cheap to run, rock solid and eliminated cost for her. All good. She gets to a slightly better phase of life and another relative decides she should not be driving 'that old knacker' and buys her a Pug 307 for £500. And in fairness it looked superficially rather good, a diesel, solid looking. But 3 years on, it's cost her nearly £3k in repairs ... worse still she has a friendly and competent mech who lets a lot go for free and what he does charge for, is very reasonable...most of that is bits!!!
So Micra spend = £0 and never missed a beat despite being abused and unkept, 307 = £3k (and rising) and regularly breaks down
Think the twist or stick thing is best (unless you very very rational and/or a total enthusiast) is better sticking with and working though ... to get to that 'known good commodity' but that can be a good deal of work. And I've noticed an increase in folks literally knocking on the door to ask if we want to sell the K11 and the 106 ... the K11 is tidy, the 106 less so but very solid ... folks are starting know that these things are bomb proof if they been shaken down properly and know the value I think.
