Thetownend.com

So the head gasket has gone and I've been quoted £750.

The car is ancient (1995) so it seems pointless getting it fixed, what's the best way to get rid?

I really wanna keep it though :(

What make/model is it?

Peugeot 306 XSi

Drive it through the fence end at the Kassam and into the home dugout? If the car bursts into flames, this would be the best result (of course with you climbing out and defecating on the pitch as you run away)

Quote seems way to high for a head gasket change, guess they would do cambelt as well?

Yeah the belt was sounding knackered, water pump needs doing too, oil change and whatever else comes with it - that price includes V.A.T...

Scrap it surely for that price??

Well that's what I thought at first but I ain't in a position to go out and get something newish on finance or the like, so chances are I'll end up spending a similar amount of money on something that is just as likely to have similar issues in the not too distant future.

Plus the car holds some sentimental value...

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Take the engine, gearbox, exhaust off, cut a hole in the floor and drive it flintstone stylee.

DOT COM

Perhaps try and get a quote from an independent or mobile mechanic - should be cheaper than a garage. I used to know a good one but he sadly passed away recently.

From 50 quid to a hundred grand

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There you go Benny the Ball....fifty quid towards your new car. ( or sell office DMR for two hundred)

 I once did a head gasket on a motor myself...back in the 80's mind when even the moderately well off were poor in money terms by today's standards...so you just had to do stuff yourself. Gasket set, is dead cheap...borrow a Haynes manual from the library if you haven't got. Surely every self respecting man owns a socket set....and the daddy bit of kit is a torque wrench, ask around someone might lend you one, or invest.

To be honest, if you know the car and are happy with it getting it fixed may seem expensive but for that kind of price you could buy another car for £750 but end up with exactly the same problem within 3 months.

As the owner of an old banger, any repairs upto £750 are usually 'once in lifetime repairs' and so pay up, stick to what you know and like and move on - may be worth getting another quote - I use Bridge Garage in RWB - always fairy on price and never rip you off...

I remember helping my dad do it as a kid and his numerous oil changes. Funny how times change. I must've been heavily influenced by my dad because I'll invariably find a way of doing it myself.

On my first car I changed the whole braking system, calipers, hoses, disks, the lot. Piece of piss and great fun. On my last car I went to a garage to get them to take out a major electrical component (£350 new) took it home and spent a day soldering 36 points on a circuit board. Problem solved for £10 (the cost of the garage taking it out and putting it in).

I recently changed my car, just because the repairs this year were going to be over two thirds of what the car was worth. You have to at some point say enough is enough. I had the car 11 years, from 6 months old, so got a good spell out of her.

I had my Head gasket done on an Astra for £300, at a Garage in Corsham. Son had his go too, & thought that was steep, so got some guy in Seend to do it for £150. Seemed to be dodgy to me, but actually did a better job.

It helps if you've got somewhere semi decent to do the work....lying around on your back in the street with the motor up on ramps isn't huge fun...

I remember changing a timing belt on a Saab....great fun, needed some sort of strobe light to synchronize the timing on the camshaft and crankshaft..I borrowed one from a vicar.

Why has a vicar got a strobe light.

It sounds like a smiths song.  Vicar with a strobe light.

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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PEUGEOT-306-XSI-1997-2002-2-0-16V-ENGINE-RFV-ENGINE-CODE-60-DAY-WARRANTY-/150703784369?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3A306&hash=item2316a541b1

If you can find someone to slot it in for less that £500

Take that back - its the wrong year and may not fit - but theres plenty of engines around - have a look in the trader!