As I've mentioned previously in some posts, the little Abarth was technically the wife's runabout. My wife named the Abarth Raven, by the way!
Then, out the blue, circumstances conspired against us and the wife's employment took a bit of a twist - not necessarily for the better. The poor little Abarth wasn't what was required anymore owing to my wife's new found extensive commute, inc. toll road for additional financial wounding. I did make a vague attempt at selling the Abarth to fund a diesel hack for wifey but secretly I wasn't trying hard. I liked it too much.
The Abarth went into storage at the end of December, cudos to the grandmother for offering up the space to have it off the road.
All the while I had my Audi A8. 4.0 twin turbo diesel it had near twice the ponies of the Abarth, the torque of a lamborghini murcielago and did over 30mpg. More gadgets than you could ever possibly hope to fathom. It was all things to all men.
So I had a decision to make. One me, two cars.
Today the decision is made as last night the Audi went to it's new owner.
In what can only be described as the swift application of liberal doses of Top Gear logic I've decided I'd prefer the car that is smaller, less reliable, slower, less economical, less well equipped and significantly less comfortable to drive.
And I couldn't be happier! Today is the day I get my Abarth back.
Plan for the weekend / coming week is to get it back to roadworthy having been sat for a few months.
Service is due as it was last serviced in Jan 2016, so I'll give it a service, oil and filters. I'm intending a belt change a little later in the spring. It's been done once so probably doesn't need doing just yet but personal preference would be for additional change.
The front brake pads were reaching the end of their usable life but not into the 'squeal' material yet. I'll get the brake discs cleaned up with a bit of use and change for new pads.
I need to clean, lubricate and reassemble the bonnet release. It's seized up a little being sat so opening the bonnet requires a pair of pliers on the cable rather than the handle.
Then I need to work out refitting the engine tray. It had sagged and dropped during wife ownership so got removed pending further investigation, so I need to review the fixings and re-apply. May require new clips or riv-nuts or something.
And of course a dam good polish and a valet.
I also have a sport steering wheel to fit at some point but mechanicals first, details second.
Then, out the blue, circumstances conspired against us and the wife's employment took a bit of a twist - not necessarily for the better. The poor little Abarth wasn't what was required anymore owing to my wife's new found extensive commute, inc. toll road for additional financial wounding. I did make a vague attempt at selling the Abarth to fund a diesel hack for wifey but secretly I wasn't trying hard. I liked it too much.
The Abarth went into storage at the end of December, cudos to the grandmother for offering up the space to have it off the road.
All the while I had my Audi A8. 4.0 twin turbo diesel it had near twice the ponies of the Abarth, the torque of a lamborghini murcielago and did over 30mpg. More gadgets than you could ever possibly hope to fathom. It was all things to all men.
So I had a decision to make. One me, two cars.
Today the decision is made as last night the Audi went to it's new owner.
In what can only be described as the swift application of liberal doses of Top Gear logic I've decided I'd prefer the car that is smaller, less reliable, slower, less economical, less well equipped and significantly less comfortable to drive.
And I couldn't be happier! Today is the day I get my Abarth back.
Plan for the weekend / coming week is to get it back to roadworthy having been sat for a few months.
Service is due as it was last serviced in Jan 2016, so I'll give it a service, oil and filters. I'm intending a belt change a little later in the spring. It's been done once so probably doesn't need doing just yet but personal preference would be for additional change.
The front brake pads were reaching the end of their usable life but not into the 'squeal' material yet. I'll get the brake discs cleaned up with a bit of use and change for new pads.
I need to clean, lubricate and reassemble the bonnet release. It's seized up a little being sat so opening the bonnet requires a pair of pliers on the cable rather than the handle.
Then I need to work out refitting the engine tray. It had sagged and dropped during wife ownership so got removed pending further investigation, so I need to review the fixings and re-apply. May require new clips or riv-nuts or something.
And of course a dam good polish and a valet.
I also have a sport steering wheel to fit at some point but mechanicals first, details second.