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2015-03-23 17:32:29
10 votes, rating 5.4
10 votes, rating 5.4
Help! Car+Stoke
So, I'm moving to Stoke for 3 months, starting end of April. For work. Specifically a series of 4 one act new plays written to celebrate the finding of a Anglo Saxon horde of Gold, which will be performed at the new Vic theatre.
Which is cool. Apart from leaving my wife/kids behind.
But:
1: I am moving to Stoke. I don't know Stoke, but have worked there briefly and wasn't impressed. So anyone know Stoke? Anywhere i should definitely avoid when finding digs? Any tips? How awful is it?
2: I shall need a car, to get around Stoke, and to make the 300 mile round trip weekly, to come home, see kids, tup the wife etc.
I know very very little of cars but have a budget of around £1000. Specifically less than that only. looking at very old Beetles, Golf, Astra. Is a Ford Puma any good? Are old Alfa Romeo only to be avoided? should i buy from dealer or person? the plan is that if i spend less than £1000 on it it's less than renting and can scrap/flog it after the job. So im only looking at things with over 5 months MOT, as one factor. But really i know so little, and have such little interest in cars that im left uninformed, lacking prejudice and context. So any advice/tips here massively welcome.
Which is cool. Apart from leaving my wife/kids behind.
But:
1: I am moving to Stoke. I don't know Stoke, but have worked there briefly and wasn't impressed. So anyone know Stoke? Anywhere i should definitely avoid when finding digs? Any tips? How awful is it?
2: I shall need a car, to get around Stoke, and to make the 300 mile round trip weekly, to come home, see kids, tup the wife etc.
I know very very little of cars but have a budget of around £1000. Specifically less than that only. looking at very old Beetles, Golf, Astra. Is a Ford Puma any good? Are old Alfa Romeo only to be avoided? should i buy from dealer or person? the plan is that if i spend less than £1000 on it it's less than renting and can scrap/flog it after the job. So im only looking at things with over 5 months MOT, as one factor. But really i know so little, and have such little interest in cars that im left uninformed, lacking prejudice and context. So any advice/tips here massively welcome.
Comments
Posted by The_Demon on 2015-03-23 17:40:33
"So anyone know Stoke? Anywhere i should definitely avoid when finding digs? Any tips? How awful is it?"
Avoid Stoke, avoid its digs, its awful :)) Their football team is a good example of how awful!
Avoid Stoke, avoid its digs, its awful :)) Their football team is a good example of how awful!
Posted by tmoila on 2015-03-23 17:41:14
Stoke City has this player named 'Crouch' once we were at bar and were watching Man U play vs Stoke City we just laughed how Crouch just crouched in front of the goal and scored.
And every time I read something about Stoke City I remember Crouch crouching. Quite often actually he is the main star of the team.
And every time I read something about Stoke City I remember Crouch crouching. Quite often actually he is the main star of the team.
Posted by The_Demon on 2015-03-23 17:41:26
Ford Tigra = Stoke!
Posted by The_Demon on 2015-03-23 17:42:32
And Crouch being the "Star" speaks volumes, but he has to Crouch for everything, he's 6 foot 7 (I think!)
Posted by blocknroll on 2015-03-23 17:46:12
Dalfort is ur man
Posted by garyt1 on 2015-03-23 18:44:58
On the Autotrader website you can get an ok Golf from around 2001 for under one thousand pounds. VW Golfs are decent little cars. A dealer should be reliable and not sell you something that doesn't run, but will add some cost on top.
Posted by DukeTyrion on 2015-03-23 18:48:32
Would recommend a Ford Focus.
Was car of the decade, so very popular, which also means there are quite a few about for sale.
Was car of the decade, so very popular, which also means there are quite a few about for sale.
Posted by Throweck on 2015-03-23 18:49:08
Well, Robbie Williams comes from Stoke. That in itself is not a great advert. However, I have lived in lots of different places and there are always decent parts to any place. Heck I live in Mansfield which is in the top 10 worst places to live in the uk. I managed to find a nice bit though. Problem is, nicer parts of places are the more pricey parts (obviously).
Car wise, the only advice I could give is take someone who knows a little about them if you buy privately. VWs are pretty reliable. Long distances would benefit from a diesel to make it cheaper fuel rise. I had a Ford fiesta for years. Fords=cheap parts if anything goes wrong too.
Car wise, the only advice I could give is take someone who knows a little about them if you buy privately. VWs are pretty reliable. Long distances would benefit from a diesel to make it cheaper fuel rise. I had a Ford fiesta for years. Fords=cheap parts if anything goes wrong too.
Posted by mister__joshua on 2015-03-23 19:26:51
I recommend the first thing you do in arrival is don your best arsenal shirt and take to the streets ;-)
But seriously, don't do that...
I live about 20 mins from Stoke, and am a season ticket holder. I'm glad you'll get to come to the area. Maybe you'll get to see a different side to us than the picture painted by the London media (which The_Demon seems to lap up). It is a working class area with some deprivation but the people are mostly lovely. Sorry I can't really help on the housing front as I've never lived there. How long are you there for? I might try and catch the show :-D
But seriously, don't do that...
I live about 20 mins from Stoke, and am a season ticket holder. I'm glad you'll get to come to the area. Maybe you'll get to see a different side to us than the picture painted by the London media (which The_Demon seems to lap up). It is a working class area with some deprivation but the people are mostly lovely. Sorry I can't really help on the housing front as I've never lived there. How long are you there for? I might try and catch the show :-D
Posted by Dalfort on 2015-03-23 19:36:41
@blocknroll I am not any bodies man...
(other than that PC and I have already chatted :p ).
I live about 8 miles from the New Vic but cannot offer much in the way of advice sorry.
(other than that PC and I have already chatted :p ).
I live about 8 miles from the New Vic but cannot offer much in the way of advice sorry.
Posted by Throweck on 2015-03-23 19:40:21
@Josh - Season ticket holder?! Awesome. Perhaps I should come over to you for some Table top action then we go and catch the show.
Posted by the_Sage on 2015-03-23 20:05:42
For a second I read 'car+stroke' and thought you had some kind of ischemic attack. Phew. Carry on. =D
Posted by Cavetroll on 2015-03-23 20:16:17
I'm probably in the minority, but I find a series of one act plays about the discovery of an Anglo-Saxon gold horde to be fascinating. What is the name of these plays?
Posted by pythrr on 2015-03-23 20:27:39
YES, tell us more, PC! Tell us more!
Posted by mister__joshua on 2015-03-23 20:29:38
Looking at the Vic website (which is a bit crap) I think it's called Table Plays. I looked for ticket prices but they're not up yet.
Posted by PurpleChest on 2015-03-23 21:00:42
The plays i am in are in being presented in 2 pairs. the first two are 'Unearthed' and 'The Gift' which open 25th june, the second pair 'Larksong' and 'The Throne' open july 7th. there is also the 'Table Plays' a series of 12 short monologues, some of which the cast will be performing in the bar pre show; Once both shows open they run 'in rep' until July 25th.
'Unearthed' is a documentary style recreation of the story of finding the Horde. using a new technique called 'Recorded Delivery' (google it)
'The Gift' is about Christianity (and the gold to build churches) coming to a Mercian tribe. i play the tribes Chief. Looks a decent role.
'Larksong' is another set in Mercian times and I'm another chief. (but seemingly less central) and its looking a more 'physical theatre' style piece.
'The Throne' is a modern light comedy, and i seem to be the protagonists best mate.
Car Wise: Yeah, focus makes sense, but i could do something silly/fun as it doesnt have to fit kids/wife, hence looking at the Ford Puma. basically a fiesta skinned to look as if its a sporty 2 seater.
'Unearthed' is a documentary style recreation of the story of finding the Horde. using a new technique called 'Recorded Delivery' (google it)
'The Gift' is about Christianity (and the gold to build churches) coming to a Mercian tribe. i play the tribes Chief. Looks a decent role.
'Larksong' is another set in Mercian times and I'm another chief. (but seemingly less central) and its looking a more 'physical theatre' style piece.
'The Throne' is a modern light comedy, and i seem to be the protagonists best mate.
Car Wise: Yeah, focus makes sense, but i could do something silly/fun as it doesnt have to fit kids/wife, hence looking at the Ford Puma. basically a fiesta skinned to look as if its a sporty 2 seater.
Posted by Throweck on 2015-03-23 21:37:13
Pumas have little head room. Not sure how tall you are but something to consider. If you want something sporty, how about an old MG? retro style.
Posted by krytie on 2015-03-23 23:11:16
Don't know Stoke at all but know about cheap old cars and long journeys (400 each way to Glasgow!).
Best piece of advice I can give you when buying old cars: Buy German. Specifically, VW or Audi. Don't be put off buy high mileage, in fact the more miles on the clock the better -- it means it's reliable :) With older cars you also want as little electrics as possible as they'll only be faulty or go wrong at an inopportune moment.
Look for: 12-14yo Audi A4 (avoid the A3 as they have issues) or 10-12yo VW Passat. Polos are also an option but not comfortable for long trips. (A Golf would be great but will probably be too pricy.)
Good Luck!
Best piece of advice I can give you when buying old cars: Buy German. Specifically, VW or Audi. Don't be put off buy high mileage, in fact the more miles on the clock the better -- it means it's reliable :) With older cars you also want as little electrics as possible as they'll only be faulty or go wrong at an inopportune moment.
Look for: 12-14yo Audi A4 (avoid the A3 as they have issues) or 10-12yo VW Passat. Polos are also an option but not comfortable for long trips. (A Golf would be great but will probably be too pricy.)
Good Luck!
Posted by pythrr on 2015-03-24 00:59:19
all I can say is that this is reminding me
HOW FRICKING CHEAP SECOND HAND CARS ARE IN THE UK!!!
HOW FRICKING CHEAP SECOND HAND CARS ARE IN THE UK!!!
Posted by fidius on 2015-03-24 06:34:02
For some reason I had assumed for all 4 you'd be playing dwarfs. ;)
Posted by Catalyst32 on 2015-03-24 07:01:58
I've never paid more than $500 for a car In my life and they always tend to last me at least 3 to 5 years before they need any sort of major repair.
I'm not sure what the current exchange rate is OR what additional expenses might get added to Used Auto prices in the UK as opposed to here in the US. But you ought to be able to find something very reliable for only 5 months for far less than L1,000. (No symbol for the English Pound on my keyboard).
I would think at the MAX price you are willing to spend you ought to be able to find something for 1/4 of that which will serve you well enough.
I'm not sure what the current exchange rate is OR what additional expenses might get added to Used Auto prices in the UK as opposed to here in the US. But you ought to be able to find something very reliable for only 5 months for far less than L1,000. (No symbol for the English Pound on my keyboard).
I would think at the MAX price you are willing to spend you ought to be able to find something for 1/4 of that which will serve you well enough.
Posted by mister__joshua on 2015-03-24 09:21:15
I don't know what you're looking for with accommodation (your price range etc) and whether it need to be IN Stoke/Hanley but I know someone who rents out rooms in Nantwich about 25 mins away. I know he's rented to Panto actors before. It's near Crewe too which is great for trains to London. There's people that commute every day!
If you wanted me to inquire then drop us a PM.
If you wanted me to inquire then drop us a PM.
Posted by C3I2 on 2015-03-24 13:34:31
I always imagined PurpleChest as Charles Paris, jobbing actor that solves murders on the side.
Posted by DrDeath on 2015-03-24 14:26:41
Hmm so it's Big Chief Purplechest now... Ford Mustang? :)