scoobyh123 wrote:Hmmm, i don't think you're cured Chris. Been doing a bit of thinking about people i know who have 800s including some members that although i haven't met, i have exchanged PMs with and come up with the following symptoms of suffering "800-itis" :
1) Multiple ownership
2) Dog ownership
3) Trailer/camper/caravan ownership
4) Volvo (usually estate) or Jeep Cherokee/similar 4x4 ownership
5) Parts hoarding
6) Serial Rover ownership
Any or all of these symptoms may or may not be present at any given time. The ownerships above refer to either past, present or future desire to.
As a straw poll of the three other people within 30 miles of me that i know, three out of 4 of us (including myself) have at least 2 800s, at least one dog, two have owned/currently own a Volvo estate and/or a 4x4 and all 4 of us have a parts hoard of some description.
If you only have one of the symptoms (eg 1 800 and 1 dog) you have a relatively mild case of 800-itis. Two to three symptoms is average and four or more is a severe case of 800-itis for which there is no known cure except more 800s.
Personally i think i have terminal 800-itis - 2 800s, 2 dogs, a trailer, Volvo estate and a parts hoard. Also previously owned a pop-up camper (glorified trailer tent), Jeep Cherokee and three previous Volvo estates (oops!
Make that 4!), a reasonably big parts stash and have owned Rovers on and off for 30+ years.
Because my car situation is massively different to what it was I've decided to do a past and present of the list.
Past
1) Multiple ownership
57 800s over 12 years, not counting those owned by friends and family at the time. I forget now the record of how many at once but 11 rings a bell. Plus other cars I should add. 14 cars and a van was my record at any one time.
2) Dog ownership
No, never. My Mum is allergic to pet hair and that sort of stopped that from an early age.
3) Trailer/camper/caravan ownership
Rover trailer plus large tent so definitely on this one.
4) Volvo (usually estate) or Jeep Cherokee/similar 4x4 ownership
5 V70 estates I think, 3 Jeeps and 2 Ford Explorers.
5) Parts hoarding
Off the top of my head enough to make about 6 cars at one point. Not counting any spares cars I also had. Stored wherever I could find space, 2 rented garages, loft, sheds and even in cars when I ran out of space. Far too many that's for sure.
6) Serial Rover ownership
No, aside 800s I was never actually a big Rover fan as such. My Dad was over time. P6, SD1 and then 800s. Multiple of each over the years.
Aside a 220 Sli I bought to sell I can't think of anything else I've had. I did have 3 Metros but they were all Austin era so don't really count?
Present
1) Multiple ownership
No, as of last Friday when the Transit went I now only own one car! The first time since I started driving that this has been the case. Which was early 2000. Though I do have 3 trailers though.
2) Dog ownership
As above.
3) Trailer/camper/caravan ownership
As above.
4) Volvo (usually estate) or Jeep Cherokee/similar 4x4 ownership
Nothing now, all sold or scrapped after realising that generally speaking they were crap. Plus thirsty and not particularly quick. I did like the Explorers more but they proved a pain to keep on the road so gave up.
5) Parts hoarding
Not any longer, aside a set of panels and lights for the trailer everything else went when I sold up. With doing less/no car work now I have very little. When I've needed things for the Mondeo I've just bought them as and when. Rear wiper motor as an example.
6) Serial Rover ownership
As above.
Overall I'd say that's a bit different to the past? For several years most people that knew me thought I had a genuine problem with all the cars/parts etc. Now they wonder what's happened for me to sell up and think I'm ill for different reasons.
Honest answer is I was bored and had enough, I do actually think of it as like an addiction. I joke and say I overdosed, which I think to an extent is true. My problem was I had no one saying no so just did what I felt like which ultimately meant I bought too much.
Cured? Maybe not 100% but certainly better than I was.