First NA at 20 years old. Money drainer

I’ve wanted an NA all my life, always loved them. Finally got one and couldn’t be happier, it’s so cool to actually own one now.

I brought it expecting to encounter issues with it especially since the car is older than I am. But the idea is that I can learn to fix things and then I’ll love the car even more because I’m the reason it’s working.

So I brought this one, has about 100k miles on the 1.8, got it for a decent price and it has very minimal rust on it. It’s pretty much bone stock other than a couple minor changes.

First of all, got it home and noticed a small oil leak, so I fixed that and it was pretty simple and quick to do. After driving for a while I noticed the breaks were a bit crap so I replaced them, not too expensive thankfully and I’m still in the process of doing it as I was having trouble with the rear breaks. However I should be able to do it now, just dealing with weather issues.

Then whilst doing the breaks, realised the drivers side front suspension is absolutely destroyed and needs replacing, so will have to do that too.

I know it’ll all be worth it, and by doing this in the winter I’m going to have an amazing summer with it. Just at the moment i absolutely do not see the light at the end of the tunnel unfortunately. Like everything I fix uncovers like 2 more issues that were never on the MOT history or never mentioned by the seller.

I want to put the work in because I absolutely adore the car so much. But my god is it degrading just having my dream car on my driveway and just seeing it slowly crumble apart.

I’ve wanted an NA all my life, always loved them. Finally got one and couldn’t be happier, it’s so cool to actually own one now.

I brought it expecting to encounter issues with it especially since the car is older than I am. But the idea is that I can learn to fix things and then I’ll love the car even more because I’m the reason it’s working.

So I brought this one, has about 100k miles on the 1.8, got it for a decent price and it has very minimal rust on it. It’s pretty much bone stock other than a couple minor changes.

First of all, got it home and noticed a small oil leak, so I fixed that and it was pretty simple and quick to do. After driving for a while I noticed the breaks were a bit crap so I replaced them, not too expensive thankfully and I’m still in the process of doing it as I was having trouble with the rear breaks. However I should be able to do it now, just dealing with weather issues.

Then whilst doing the breaks, realised the drivers side front suspension is absolutely destroyed and needs replacing, so will have to do that too.

I know it’ll all be worth it, and by doing this in the winter I’m going to have an amazing summer with it. Just at the moment i absolutely do not see the light at the end of the tunnel unfortunately. Like everything I fix uncovers like 2 more issues that were never on the MOT history or never mentioned by the seller.

I want to put the work in because I absolutely adore the car so much. But my god is it degrading just having my dream car on my driveway and just seeing it slowly crumble apart.