dxg

I *love* the idea of this and have been thinking about it for some time after seeing the trend on the vortex. The trouble is, it's illegal to have "event" numbers on your car, so rather than going for the individually-numbered stickers as seen here: http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_1894.shtml you would have to go for an event or individually-named (but not numbered) style. You can get round the number thing by putting tape over/through it when on the open road, but it defeats the purpose of it, imho. Deek.

A few years ago HSBC did an *excellent* pack of information for people wanting to set up their own small business. It reminded them of everything they needed to consider and gave them guidance on how to write a business plan that would address everything they would need to consider to secure funding. Even if you don't need funding from an external source, I would strongly suggest you find out if they (or other banks) still provide this information, as it would make sure you don't forget anything. As for the insurance, I would want something in addition to your standard Public Liability to indemify me against the risk of damaging the vehicles. Remember that any waiver you may ask clients to sign is legally meaningless. Aside from the risk of causing damaging from the valeting itself, will you be moving the vehciles at all? On the public road? On your own site? Either way, insurance of some kind would be a good idea. You local bank could advise you on this. I would suggest setting up a meeting to discuss what needs to be considered under the pretense of needing finance. They can point you in the right direction for insurances and the like. If if gets really serious, you could consider the services of a business factor to manage your invoicing and debts for you. Some friends of mine set up in business about 5 years ago (and are doing amazing well) and this was something they thought about. In the end they opted to do it themselves and just employ an accountant to set up their invoicing system and come back to audit the accounts prior to agm (yup - they have shares!) and sort out the tax each year. Deek. The trouble with turnover is that people get blinded by the figures. I knew a guy in business for himself who just managed to turn over £1m annually (he was selling ham radios - they cost a bl**dy fortune!) only to go bust shortly after. Cash flow is the key to staying solvent (I'm told). Deek.

Can anyone spot what's missing?

http://www.last.fm/user/dxg/ will tell you all you need to know about me. It's odd how your perception of what music you like doesn't actually reflect what you've listen to day to day. I still advocate Tanya Donelly strongly, even though I'm apparently not listening to her much at the moment. Deek.

Bought a house. Second step along the ladder. Presented at an American conference, but not a keynote as I'm not that important. Did get a very good speaker's evaluation though. Got sacked from an editorial position (I actually consider this an achievement as I am far too good for them). Made a few good friends who I think will be around for years to come. Discovered the joys of Jägermeister. And, of course, bought the GTI after thinking about it for 3 and half years... Deek.

Awesome(ly stupid) way to go! Deek.

Well Virgin's website won't take my house address (it's on a new estate) and their web forms look exactly the same as Direct Line's...

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I'll call Direct Line and will see what they can do about making it cheaper. I haven't had to claim from them, but they've been okay with temporary cover for other cars, so that seems a good sign. Deek.

I had an old car that made a noise not unlike a cow mooing from time to time (this could also sound like an owl, I suppose...) Turned out to be the breather pipe to the fuel tank was partially blocked and the intermittent "moos" was the pressure equalising btwn the tank and atmosphere. Could it be that? These noises just came at random, though - not related to the gas. Deek.

Well, it's time to renew the insurance on the GTI. I'd always felt that the £450 I'm paying with Direct Line was a bit steep, but confused.com shows them to be in the middle of the pack, with quotes for me ranging from £400ish to £500ish. However, there's one outlyer - Admiral at just over £300. Has anyone used these guys before - ever had to claim on them - what have they been like? I've only ever seen their adverts on daytime TV which in itself causes me some doubt... Deek.

When I was 15 a car was an impossible dream. When I eventually got one when I was 18, I took whatever was doable (an old 903cc 43hp pushrod Fiat Uno hand-me-down from the family) because it was hard enough just to pay the insurance. Deek.

vagparts.com Just ask for a part (by number ideally) in this forum and they'll sort it out: http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/viewforum.php?f=26 Deek.

Would it not be cheaper to get a GTI and put the 1.0 engine into it? Just thinking laterally... But then you'd have the hastle of the insurance. Far, far better for a new driver to buy a cheap, slow car (1 litre Lupo with no body mods anyone?) and spend a few years building your own NCB on your own policy so that the jump to a real car will be (somewhat) affordable in due course. All IHMO, of course. Deek.

Remember kids, a horse is for life, not just for Christmas. The wife of a friend of mine has a horse - 32 years old (the horse, not the wife...)!

It's very nice!

Mine was eventually solved by all huge amounts of sealant being applied round the membrane and speaker behind the lower door card. So much, in fact, that I can't get the door card back on! Grr.. The car's been perfectly dry since, though, so I suggest having a good look there. Mine only had the slightest of water marks appearing from the bottom of the speaker as evidence of the problem (before things were pulled apart), but it was enough to flood the front and rear footwells. I've managed to work out that the gearbox problems are only happening after the box has warmed up, but it will be February time before I've got enough money for someone to look at it. But on a lighter note - Happy Chrimbo everyone! Deek.

^^ That was an *amazing* model. You could build so much from it. The chassis was easy to extend, the front suspension could be readily "jacked up" by changing the way its sub-structure bolted to the chassis legs, the whole rear end could be changed as you saw fit and the body could be anything you wanted it to be... Really got my money's worth from that one when I was a kid, I can tell you.... The only downside was eventually wearing out the ball and socket joints on the front suspension - even this had a positive; it gave the front wheels some impressive negative camber!

Just pull the "door" cards off. Try to get a finger under the bottom edge or edge nearest the b-pillar and pull. hard. Deek.

Who spotted the My Little Pony reference? As someone who remembers these from the first time around, I'm so looking forward to this...

Another Golf Plus?

B6 Passat Estate.

Transporter? Caddy? (I'm going for the VAT angle...)

With the remap and the brakes it is stunning to drive. And it is seriously low. Was dodging pine cones while driving it; that might be what grabbed his attention. Deek.

A friend of mine is selling this: http://pistonheads.com/sales/119050.htm It's a *very* nice example, if anyone is interested. To give you an idea, at a VW press day one of VWUK's prodcut managers was out taking photos of it! Deek.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SaF5oUydNbM