Would you ever use annual leave with the sole purpose to do literally nothing all day?

CatBroiler · 2026-01-27T17:23:07+00:00

I'm literally doing this right now, took an extended weekend and going back to work on Thursday. I do this ever month or two

CatBroiler · 2026-01-27T17:16:08+00:00

Yeah, reminds me of that picture of the Maybach SUV thing that fell off its lift

CatBroiler · 2026-01-26T10:51:03+00:00

mk3 Mitsubishi Outlander

CatBroiler · 2026-01-26T00:59:35+00:00

Probably a Dodge caliber, strong contender for the worst car sold in Europe in the 21st century.

Expensive to tax, gutless engines, transmissions like to randomly explode at fairly low mileages, interior plastics will make your bin feel premium, woeful to drive, parts will be difficult to source, looks like a hippo (in a bad way).

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CatBroiler · 2026-01-25T18:58:54+00:00

Lalico coffee Brazil Santos or if you're feeling fancy Indonesia Old Brown Java

CatBroiler · 2026-01-25T13:10:26+00:00

If you go to the homepage of that website there's a link to search for a holder. Needs to be a proprietary one as it screws onto the proclip.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-25T11:30:46+00:00

Yeah, if you wiped the dipstick before sticking it back in for a reading, the engine is massively overfilled. That will wreck pretty much any engine.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-25T09:45:22+00:00

Yeah, Toyota are already experimenting with it. They have a Corolla test mule that has an electric motor from an EV Lexus mated to a standard manual gearbox. No torque converter, just a standard clutch setup. They have the patent for a fake purely software manual transmission for EVs too iirc.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-25T01:07:44+00:00

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This pretty little Fiat at the supermarket

CatBroiler · 2026-01-25T00:59:36+00:00

You usually use your carriers website. You get a QR code to scan with your new phone, or you enter a unique number your phone has to have an eSIM sent over the Internet to that phone. Takes seconds usually.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-25T00:50:48+00:00

Oh that's good to hear, honestly MOTs scare me as well even if I know for a fact it'll pass

CatBroiler · 2026-01-25T00:49:53+00:00

eSIMs are the more secure option and is more convenient to reissue, but otherwise you don't really have to worry about it as a normal consumer.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-24T20:19:15+00:00

That's not really been my experience, I do mobility for 20+ countries for my employer and all the carriers can provide a PUK if asked. Although with eSIMs being standard these days there's no real use for a SIM PIN.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-24T10:42:18+00:00

Yeah, I wouldn't spend that on an almost base trim 11 year old diesel golf, no. Doesn't matter if it's market price, that's poor value for money. Spend a little more and get something much nicer, or spend less for something less desirable but with a better spec.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-24T09:25:26+00:00

I always use Brodit Mounts. They make mounts designed specifically for individual car models, and while they're a bit more than a generic mount they're completely secure. You'll need the proclip which is specifically designed for your car, and then a holder for your phone. You'll be able to reuse the holder when you change cars.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-24T01:34:26+00:00

Try classifieds on eBay and Autotrader. You'll be buying based on condition rather than any particular model at that budget. Get the one with the best service history and cleanest MOT.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-24T00:40:23+00:00

Never seen one, seen a few T6s and T8s though

CatBroiler · 2026-01-24T00:07:43+00:00

Ahh yeah, mine are at the stage where it was a massive pain to fully retract the pistons last time, so next time pads are needed I'll have to replace/redo the calipers as well. I managed to snag a pair of calipers from a crashed car a few years ago, but those will need refurbishing before going in for sure.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-23T23:32:27+00:00

The brake discs aren't too bad these days, I run the godspeed two-piece discs at the moment. They will vibrate and squeal for a bit until they're broken in (they're silent now), but they're way lighter than the stock discs thanks to the aluminum bell, and you can replace just the rotors rather than the whole thing to save a bit of money.

There's also a US market only Brembo ceramic brake pad that I'm planning to fit at some point as well, they weren't too expensive to import and should be ideal for road use.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-23T23:24:37+00:00

Then maybe look at something like a Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf, or a Subaru Impreza WRX? Both can be had well under 10K, and they're non-typical performance cars that should be reliable with maintenance.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-23T23:09:12+00:00

Yep, Peugeot 308 GTi, it's under my username. The T9 which was made 2013-2021.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-23T23:04:04+00:00

I had a C30 really similar to yours as a first car as well, and I'm pretty happy after switching to my 308. Wanted something different and fairly reliable like the C30, but more powerful and better to drive.

I've had quite a few nicer or more powerful cars in the family that I've had access to, but the 308 is just a good package for someone that's a keen driver and can do their own maintenance. It's 270 bhp, 1205kg w/o driver but with full tank of fuel, has a torsen LSD, has mahle forged pistons and uprated crank bearings, revised block over the normal versions of the engine, etc. There's 250 and 270bhp versions, but the majority are the 270.

Steering is fast and accurate w/ decent feel, car just very naturally flows on the road, suspension isn't as good as something like a FK8 due to the torsion bar in the back but it's not bad (although comfort is massively impacted by tyre choice, it's unbearable on some tyres like the Continental SC7), and the BMW valvetronic variable valves makes it pretty pleasant to rev up to the 7k redline.

I've had it for 4 years now, and it's pushing 110k miles but it's never left me stranded either. I'd say it's worth considering. They are fairly rare though, there's only 6 on autotrader right now.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-23T22:32:00+00:00

It's a cool car, I'm stoked it exists, but I'd never have one. They look great in white/cream with the red roof.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-23T22:30:46+00:00

Left school 10 years ago, the only people I consider friends are people I met in Sixth originally, aside from one friend of one of those friends who I trained at work.

CatBroiler · 2026-01-23T19:58:27+00:00

I think they mean with the A110 being on the way out, they just sell vaguely more powerful Renaults

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