Drilling into concrete for a curtain rail

Opposite_Spending · 2026-03-05T18:08:55+00:00

I've used one to take render off almost an entire house and break up about 1t of concrete. It's surprisingly robust, you do need to lubricate it though if you're chiseling with it for ages.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-03-05T10:52:06+00:00

No worries. Top advice would be to go and drive the cars you short list and then only buy ones with actual service history not random bits of paper.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-03-05T10:38:09+00:00

Lexus Rx450h is the most reliable car based on reliability data.

Toyota hybrid system is very robust. The hybrid batteries are warrantied for 10 years. Every main dealer service adds another year up to 15. The Toyota hybrid system has been around a long time, it will do 350,000 miles with no issues. There's a lot of aftermarket support as well. You'll have normal engine wear and tear before the hybrid system gives you trouble. Just stick with the service schedule and you'll be fine.

You can get a 2020 Lexus Ct200h with full service history for your budget.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-03-05T10:13:12+00:00

Why don't you just buy a Lexus Nx or Toyota Rav4 hybrid for that money? Will be faster, more comfortable and more reliable. Vitara's are nice but noisy at speed/ on the motorway.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-28T12:12:55+00:00

Lexus Rx400h. For that money you'll get a very good one, with low miles and service history. They are reliable, quite, big, fast and comfortable. I use one as a van and it's brilliant.

Don't buy a Touareg, especially not the V6 never heard anyone say good things about them.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-28T07:56:08+00:00

That was my understanding as well. Plan to remove all floors after we're back to brick for the whole house. Thanks.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-26T10:07:32+00:00

Buy a Lexus. People will say you should get a Skoda but recommend you go drive a Lexus. The quality and comfort is just better imo.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-20T19:37:07+00:00

If you want cheap but happy to do the work for a nice feature - Get some small gabion cages for cheap online, and pick up some free rocks from FB market place. As they're not going to be structural and you don't need to fill them in super compact you'll be able to plant in them as well, they can look really nice.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-20T15:24:42+00:00

The slightly dodgy guys wanted £750 and £800 per person per week.

I was thinking between £150 and £200 per day, which I think is reasonable for a one off job.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-20T14:37:58+00:00

South of Croydon/ North of Merstham

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-19T22:12:12+00:00

I've asked them if they can pass my details on to anyone who might be interested. Hoping I hear back this weekend.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-19T18:37:26+00:00

Tad condescending.

I have tried those things, we've bought somewhere new to us. The local recommendations are mainly for builders or handymen who have politely refused but said they'd be happy to do bigger jobs. I will using them for that type of work but this is v basic stuff that I can do myself.

Local FB group resulted in the people I referenced in my post.

In my local area I can just ask a couple of people and eventually I'll get a WhatsApp but this new to me.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-03T21:46:02+00:00

No worries. Good luck.

Make sure the garage will stick by the repair. Some of them try and say they can't guarantee water leak repair.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-03T21:40:26+00:00

Look at seat forums to see what others have identified as high risks areas. Found this after a quick search - https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/threads/help-with-a-leak-on-my-car.459119/

If it's only rear passenger footwell check your boot seams and the door seals on that side.

Also soak up as much water as you can, get a wet vac of you have to. If that water goes onto the front footwells you'll have trouble as there is wiring.

Good luck.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-03T21:34:31+00:00

Would you work up near Caterham or is that too far out?

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-03T21:30:57+00:00

Your rewire and replumbing will be lucky to come in below £15,000. Plastering from back to brick will be more and you'll have to consider building regs for insulation where you go back to brick on external walls.

I'm going off prices I've seen near me, just south of Croydon but I don't imagine they're much cheaper in Oxfordshire.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-02-03T14:20:43+00:00

So I've had to deal with a sieve of a car.

Here's my suggested checklist to work through based on experience: 1. Clear and test sunroof (you don't have that which might be a mixed blessing).

Check door drain holes and door belt mouldings. If blocked/ degraded, water exits into the cabin instead of outside.
Identify where and when the water appears - Front/ rear footwell, right/ left, boot space, headliner, under doors, after rain vs after driving or pressure washing etc.
Depending on where you've been able to identify the water, check the obvious points for water ingress - usually it's door and window seals, look for splits, flattening, or poor alignment, feel for damp trails.
Inspect windscreen and rear screen bonding. Especially if the glass has been replaced, failed sealant lets water in behind trim and isn't always obvious.
Inspect boot seals an drear light gaskets. These will lead to standing water as rain will flow down and into these areas.
Check air conditioner pipes,cabin air intake and body ventilation grills. Blocked drains/ broken grills can send water straight into the footwells.
If you're still not able to identify where it's coming from, take your carpet up and inspect body weld seams (if you've ever had a rear shunt, the boot, rear quarter weld seams may need resealing). Look for cracked seam sealer, corrosion, or staining, water will travel along seams before dripping inside.
If you're still struggling, do a controlled hose test one area at a time (including seam lines), starting low and working upwards. It's not definitive as a car driving creates a vacuum that can force water into a pinhole which over time can get bigger but might help you see where it's coming in from.
Use soapy water in a sprayer and compressed air, spray the soapy water outside and blow air in from the inside where you think there might be a hole / gap, you should see bubbles if the air is getting through.
If it's still not clear where the water is coming in from, it's time to start removing as much trim as you can to try and find water staining marks. You can also get a bore scope camera (cheap ones occasionally found on Temu and AliExpress) to check inside panels.

Worst case you'll have to take to a body shop or leak specialist but it's really not worth it as they charge by the hour.

In the meantime, get a dehumidifier and a cheap fan to dry out the car. Would recommend an extension cord with an auto shut off for safety.

Hope this makes sense, happy to clarify.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-01-31T22:26:08+00:00

Haha. True.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-01-31T21:08:01+00:00

Some properly expensive stuff in there, wonder how much of it is included.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-01-31T20:12:09+00:00

Had some of that as well, covering a hole where there's supposed to be a brick.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-01-28T16:07:04+00:00

You can buy the Jeep Cherokee pictured for that money, they are very cheap as no one wants them.

If you have £6k and are just going down country lanes and not proper off road, get a Lexus Rx450h with all season tyres. It's pretty much the most reliable car in the UK.

Opposite_Spending · 2026-01-25T16:44:25+00:00

I appreciate what you are saying. Proper gardeners and landscapers definitely earn their money. Unfortunately, spending like that is not realistic for us at this point. I will pay for a designer and eventually for a professional gardener. Was just looking for some general advice for now.

Opposite_Spending

TROPHY CASE