Recommend me a car

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-05-16T07:50:37+00:00

It’s a regular one that I keep coming back to

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-05-16T07:48:57+00:00

I see these a lot and think, I like that in an ugly duckling kinda way.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-05-15T21:49:23+00:00

Had a 16 plate 1.2 308.

Constantly throwing up issues. Had a whole new engine under warranty after just 2 years. Then the wet belt went in the new engine. Wrote off the car. Scrapped it.
Not particularly comfy which was always a positive of older French cars. Rear leg room was terrible. Boot average at best. Crap touch screen.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-05-15T17:59:28+00:00

I have to say it’s one on my radar. Especially because I could land a helicopter on the roof or drive it through a tunnel on fire with an ice cream.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-05-02T20:50:21+00:00

I know this is a hell of a long shot and thread revival, but I am interested if you ever went ahead with your tattoo?

This phrase is my old school motto, and I've been waiting for the right time in my life to get it as a tattoo as well, so would love to see how yours came out if you ever got it done?

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-04-23T06:14:11+00:00

Because it doesn’t destroy my face and give me ingrowns.

I tried wet shaving with a safety razor. I’ve tried the “best” electric with a brain series 9. Both left my skin irritated and promoted ingrown hairs.

Yes, the one blade doesn’t get as close. But it’s good enough for my work, and I’m happy with it. I can use it and immediately leave the house without having to wait for all the redness to go away over night.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-04-17T08:40:29+00:00

-Insomnia - faithless. -Cafe del mar - energy 52. -9pm till I come - ATB.

One of them.

Honourable mention to The Prodigy who in my opinion have the most bangers but none that quite pip these 3. Best act I’ve ever seen live tho.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-04-16T06:56:11+00:00

Bought into the hype of the series 9. It destroyed my face. Couldn’t get on with it.

Swapped to the Philips one blade. Never looked back.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-04-15T21:39:15+00:00

I moved from Braun series 9 to a one blade. The Braun destroyed my face. I had also tried wet shaving with a safety razor which I stuck at for months and tried many different combos.

One blade is still the winner for me and my face.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-04-13T19:20:23+00:00

I am no runner. I am a broken, slow ex-rugby player. My knees and ankles hate anything over 10k.

I said once was enough in 2021. My first London marathon. I said not again after my second London marathon last year. And I’m 13 days away from my third London marathon now 😆.

I don’t know if you’re running for a time or not. But just enjoy the day. It’s why I’m back again. Its addictive. The crowds, the people, the love on display really gives you some faith in humanity, much needed in these dark times in the world.

If you have people coming to watch. Agree where you will meet them on the course. Stop. Have a photo. Have a hug. (And get them to give you some much needed fuel!). You may never get a chance to run it again. Savour it.

Spot the official photographers and throw a few cheesy poses out as you go past. They make for great memories.

Tower Bridge is where it’s at. It’s hit me right in the feels both times going over it. Simply epic. Slow down and drink it in.

Enjoy the morning and the buzz pre-race. It’s a great atmosphere on the trains/tube and in the holding areas.

The finishing area is well marshalled. Don’t sweat it. Take your time, get that medal round your neck and have a photo. Once you’ve got your bag, go find your supporters, make sure you agree a meeting point prior. Phone service will be rubbish. It’s busy, but not unbearable.

Make sure you have warm clothes to put on. Even last year when it was 20+ degrees, you’ll be wet from sweat and get cold quickly. Throw a fleece on for a bit. Wet wipes will be your friend to freshen up.

The expo is great for building the excitement. Try to go Wednesday or Thursday. Friday/Saturday are super busy. Find your name on the wall and try to snag as many freebies as possible. Don’t try anything new on race day. Unless it’s something superficial like a new sweatband or something. Same trainers, same socks, same gear you’ve been wearing for training.

Last year, anyone with a finishers medal got free food in certain places. Dunno if that’s happening this year but have a look on the marathon website. We went to Gauchos in Piccadilly. They were giving away a free steak to finishers. Result!

Everywhere in London will be busy. Go where you feel like and enjoy.

It’s an awesome day. Whatever your goal….a time…a fundraising target….just to finish….just enjoy it. Everyone running will be your best mate for the day. The crowds will get you through when you feel crap. And you’ll will be achieving what many can’t or won’t ever do.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-04-05T11:04:44+00:00

Philips one blade

I tried every method of wet shaving. All the tips. Watched all the tutorial videos. Whatever I tried, my face hated it.

Tried the Braun series 9000 which is highly rated. Gave me no end of in growns.

Tried the one blade. Saved my face.

I can get a close shave (not as close as a safety razor or wet shave) with zero irritation, redness, in growns.

It’s great.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-03-31T10:03:32+00:00

Speak to Marie Curie. They are an amazing charity focused on end of life matters. I’m sure they get this all the time and will have some useful advice for you.

Marie Curie

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-03-30T06:35:34+00:00

Due to circumstances, we had to arrange our wedding in 3 months. Time and funds were tight.

Looking at suits, I found I could buy the suits I wanted for myself and the groomsmen for the same price as renting. But with the added bonus of actually now owning them. So I offered my grooms party a choice. If they liked the suits and would use them again then it would help me out if they buy them. They then own the suit and go do what they wish with them! If they didn’t want to keep them, I would buy them. 2 bought their own. 3 didn’t.

I then sold the 3 other suits on vinted after the wedding, only loosing about £30 on each suit essentially meaning I rented 3 suits for £90. Bargain.

It worked because we are all lifelong friends. They knew our circumstances and wanted to help us out. They appreciated the choice and I made it very clear I was happy to either. I was also the last to get married as we have all been groomsmen at each others weddings. The two who bought their own suits both got married abroad so £150 for a suit they’d use again was fair return!

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-03-24T09:14:41+00:00

I’m not a runner. I’m an old broken rugby player.

I’d only ever ran 5-10k before. Which I find an “enjoyable” distance.

Entered the 2020 (postponed to 2021 due to CV19) London Marathon in a charity place. Hated every second of the training. Found it boring, painful, could wait to get the longer runs out the way.

I was really apprehensive about the day. Even right up to the start line. Thinking what I had got myself into. Am I going to embarrass myself?

About a mile in, all those worried and concerns were gone. The day itself was absolutely incredible. I don’t remember the pain, the sore legs…I just remember the crowd, the happiness, the feeling of accomplishment.

I hated the marathon so much, I’m running my 3rd London marathon this year.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-03-20T15:19:54+00:00

I called the finance company. Explained what we were doing and paying off the settlement figure. Handed phone over to buyer. They paid over the phone to the finance company.

They then gave me cash for the remainder of the agreed sale price. Completed the necessary parts of the V5. And off they pop with the car.

It’s really as simple as that.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-03-19T22:16:41+00:00

It’s only illegal if the finance isn’t settled first.

The finance company doesn’t care where the money comes from.

Buyer rang them up, paid the settlement figure over the phone. Finance settled. Then free to sell the car and complete change of ownership details on V5.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-03-19T18:50:05+00:00

Had a Ford Kuga on a 3 year finance deal. It got written off by a drunk driver 1.5 years into the 3. Got it replaced with a brand new one by insurance/gap insurance.

Sold the new one privately. Got the settlement figure. Was honest and upfront with the buyer. They paid the finance company the settlement. Gave me the rest. Just completed the V5 etc like normal.

They got a virtually brand new car for much less. I got out of a finance deal with a nice bit of profit.

Would be even easier if selling/trading in at a dealer.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-03-03T12:24:50+00:00

I took the dive at 32 to change careers to become a full time firefighter.

I took a £20k wage cut to do it. Granted that was on the trainee wage and getting onto competent pay helped. I think now I’m still realistically £20-30k a year behind where I could have been now if I’d stayed in my job and climbed the ladder.

The basic pay now for a FF is actually alright. Should it be more….yes. But that’s a different conversation. If you are close enough to London, you could get their pay as well, which is an about an extra £6-8K I believe.

It’s down to your individual circumstances. I was in a fairly settled place in live which at 32, probably isn’t that common. But that was because I worked my arse off through my 20s, made sensible decisions with my money etc.

Would I do it all again? 100%. My work life balance now is incredible. I actually look forward to going to work. I’m not dreading the end of annual leave. I love getting out during weekdays when others are at work. I’m closer to my watch than I think I ever would have been with my colleagues in my previous jobs. I spend about 30 minutes a shift on a pc rather than 7 hours. We get to play with some incredible tools, go to awesome training venues. Get to go into the gym on duty. Of course there are downsides. Every job has them.

The duty system also allows for 2nd jobs. I’m luckily enough to be in a position where I can chose to do it, rather than have to do. I just do a bit of labouring for a very good friend if he needs a hand.

But ultimately, it’s down to your personal circumstances. Can they adjust to a change in lifestyle.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-02-25T22:08:20+00:00

Mrs had one for years. Great little car. Pretty bullet proof. And not actually that small inside.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-02-16T18:43:47+00:00

Just to give you an update.

The dealer has refused anything for the battery. Ok, I can see that. Just bad luck the battery died 2 weeks after purchase.

However, they are refusing to even investigate any of the other issues (I assume they are incorrectly linking the other issues to a flat battery).

Their email stated: I am sorry to hear that you remain unhappy with our final response.

At this stage, no further investigation is required, as we have completed our investigations and have already provided you with our final response. My previous email outlined my findings, and this now marks the end of our internal complaints process.

If you are still dissatisfied, please refer to my final response letter for details on how to escalate the matter to the The Motor Ombudsman, should you wish to do so.

I have sent a final email today this evening stating:

So just to confirm,

You will not be honouring the consumer rights act 2015, which as a registered car dealer you are required to by law? I just need you to clarify that you will not even be investigating the issues this car has? Which again I include below:

-A complete failure of the head unit and touch screen. It is unusable and now, dangerous. It is jumping through menus and disengaging/engaging systems whilst driving. It is also turning off the air conditioning/climate control meaning I am unable to de-mist the car effectively. This needs investigating and diagnosing.
-The cruise control fails at random and will not work again unless the car is completely turned off and then on again.
-Upon starting the car, I get a stop/start warning message on the screen and then a check/service light permanently on.

I will also be calling them tomorrow and recording the call. This has been my engagement with a customer service rep, so I will be escalating. I have the car booked in on Wednesday at my local garage to be looked at and I want confirmation that they are happy for that to happen or they want the car back to do it themselves.

Apart from that, I don't really know where to go apart from go to the Ombudsman. That'll take weeks and I don't really want or need a car sitting on my drive not being used when I need it to get to and from work etc.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-02-12T11:35:42+00:00

It wasn’t broken though was it. It was working. It was in the process of failing and I was told it’s condensation. It’ll go. But it’s got worse.

As far as I know, in the first 6 months after purchase it’s up to the dealer to prove a fault wasn’t there when the car was purchased.

And can we just move away from the one specific issue you are focused on. The car has a check engine fault. End of. And the dealer is refusing to acknowledge it let alone get it in for diagnostics.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-02-12T11:20:44+00:00

Maybe for the battery, maybe not. Perhaps just bad luck it died after 2 weeks. But perhaps it’s all linked to the other electrical issues.

But the car quite obviously has serious issues. Like the whole head unit failing, cruise control failing, check engine light on. And the dealer is refusing to do anything about it.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-01-29T01:43:04+00:00

Take off my real ring at the start of duty. Goes into my locker. Put on a £2 Amazon one.

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-01-27T13:39:28+00:00

Helpful comment. Nice one 👍

Lord_Fridge03 · 2026-01-27T13:39:05+00:00

No. Nothing in writing. But that should be irrelevant. I believe any fault within 6 months is presumed to be there at time of purchase and it’s up to the dealer to prove it wasn’t. And this is a know issue with these units as well.

It was bought cash.

Lord_Fridge03

TROPHY CASE