If I get to hear of one local I'll be in like flyn, but the logistics of buying so far away are a pain. I bought my current 2cv from Eastbourne. That meant catching a train to Manchester, a plane to Gatwick, another train to Eastbourne, then a 300 mile drive home in an unknown car without AA protection.

All done in one day. At 8:00am that morning I was 45 years old but by teatime I was 54.

I'll be near Torquay at the beginning of April if the vendor would wait that long (or you could if you were successful!). Could get it as far as Stafford for you.

That's very kind of you thank you. I'm in no rush to buy one as I'm sure something will crop up local-ish before long. I'm actually supposed to be simplifying and cutting down on the stuff I own, so best to leave it for now. Trouble is I can resist anything but temptation.

I've had days like that too!

I'm a bit late with this, but yes, I had a 924 for a bit and it was a right dog. The engine was ok but everything else on it - electrics, ancillaries, running gear - was horrible and never really worked properly. And this was after someone (not me) had spent around three grand getting the thing fixed. I know that the 944's a different engine, but hey, it was only a lighthearted throwaway comment ...

I'd still rather drive a Porsche 944 than the Honda he's got now. There again I was entrusted with the carefully saved up money of a girl who wanted something "cute, economical and reliable" I seem to remember I was also told it had to have "a friendly face". I arrived home, chuffed to bits, having spent her hard earned on a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9

She was so impressed she cried with what I assume was happiness when she saw the car. Girls, what do they know about cars anyway?

Nice one. Reliable ... probably. Cute ... depends. Economical ... er, not really.

The Honda has turned out to be unexpectedly perfect. I've said before that I'll go out for one thing then come home with something else entirely, and although the Mrs chose this one it isn't that bad.

My three options were to buy a modern classic, which means that I'd still have something depreciation proof and mildly interesting to run around in. Second was to buy a stealth car. Something innocuous that goes unnoticed and so isn't nick-able. Or finally to go balls-out and get a Crossfire.

I like option 3. The 'No point beating around the bush just do it' type option. Option one would take time to decide on the right car let alone find a good example, which left option 2 - Stealth car.

Fast, silent, extremely well appointed, unfailingly reliable - yet unremarkable. Silver too, which means it gets lost amid the sea of silver on any car park. The Honda is the perfect non car. I prefer German cars, had lots of Audi VW and BMW products, but grudgingly I'll admit the Honda matches them in build quality and surpasses them in levels of equipment. All for two grand.

Other good news is that I've just signed another 6 month lease for the house I'm in, so a big sigh of relief there, and it now gives me all summer to buy something else to tinker with - happy days. I must promise to do more work and less messing this year though, or I'll be renting forever.

Nice update, O-N - that's all good news