(Home) Owner leaves the fold

Guys (and gals...), it's with something of a heavy heart that I post this message. After four (long?) years of townie ownership, the time has come to move on. My business has grown, and results in me having less time to fettle the townie. That coupled with the tailgate debacle, and the insurance renewal being up a fair bit again, made me sit down and do some sums. What the sums told me was that it was time to change :-(

So the silver lump today goes in as p/ex against a shiny new Suzuki Grand Vitara (TD, Auto, with aircon) It's the nearest thing I can find to the specs of the townie for my purposes without breaking the bank. Fact is, because of the miles I do it could even turn out cheaper to run than the townie. And that's (hopefully) without it being out of service for days at a time occasionally.

But fear not, I'll still be around. You're too good a bunch of people to lose touch with!

Thanks to all of those I've discussed things with- I really do believe that collectively there is an astounding knowledge of these bizarre buses.

Finally (and I hope Mark doesn't mind), can I just add that I've a garageful of bits and pieces, and the odd useful manual, if anyone needs anything...

- (#7384) David Miller, 27 Feb 03

I for one am grateful for your postings, and am glad you will still be around.
Best of luck with the Tonka Toy
Cheers
Clive

- (#7385) Clive, 27 Feb 03

Dave, as a self employed person i can see why you had to change , however i know for a fact you kinda liked working on your townace most of the time (its the catasophic breakdowns that make it hard when you have to work out of your vehicle, it changes it from being enjoyable to being stressful). Hope you keep in touch with the BOK oh and er thanks for the help . Regards Jim

- (#7386) J Adgo, 27 Feb 03

David. You have been more than helpful in your many postings and us Ace owners have been very lucky indeed that you have, unstintingly, shared your wide knowledge with us, via this forum and, sometimes, direct emails. It's good to hear that your business has grown and here's wishing you continued success, coupled with a hope that, occasionally, further comments and helpful advice, with the DPM identification, continue to appear in these columns.

- (#7387) John Davis, 27 Feb 03

I'd also like to thank David for his help, since owning our Townie, taught me a thing or two, handy to have you there for advice. Hope you enjoy your Vitara as much as the Townie, and I'll be in touch in the next couple of days to get your address. Keep in touch & let us know how good that Peugeot diesel is compared to the Toyota unit.

Regards Rob.

- (#7388) Rob Drinkwater, 27 Feb 03

Reading your latest posting comes as a great shock, just as I was about to get to know you, I'm sure that those you have helped over the years are going to miss you terribly. I am a new owner of a townie, but I already know the value of your help.
I can only wish you all the best with your business and of course your Grand Vitara.
I'm so glad to read that you will still be around,and that we will still hear from you, and that you may still pass on some of your valuable knowledge. I was self employed for many years, and later joined by my son with our Radio & TV Sales & Service. ( T.V.CLINIC )
Don't work too hard, and try and enjoy your leisure time.

Best wishes, Wyn

- (#7389) Wyn Hamer, 27 Feb 03


Sorry to hear you're changing your Townie, just as I am telling everyone I know how good they are.

Have to thank you for helping me out a few times on the BOK, as I was (and still am) new to the Site. You were one of the first to help me!!!!! Good Luck anyway and wishing you well. Joanna

- (#7390) Joanna, 27 Feb 03

David

STUNNED!!
I honestly thought they'd bury you in one of these!
It's a sad day!
I believe we have all come to see you as a friend and not just some guy at the other end of a data stream.
We have all found your help INVALUABLE. ( what about starting up a consultancy on Townaces and charging for your services, that way you would need to keep one )
I wish you every success in your developing business ( will drop you an e mail ) and hope that you continue to supports us.
If you ever feel the craving to tinker at a Townace please call round.
P.S. If you get time, drop me a line on what spares you have that might suit me.
It's still a sad day, sob-sob-sob

- (#7391) Stephen Judge, 27 Feb 03

All the very best with your Vitara(toy wagon)
and hope that you can still keep an eye
on the rest of us poor "townie"owners!
no doubt you will get a bit of spare time now,
as the Suzuki won't require the same amount
of tinkering?

Cheers,TAS.

- (#7392) Trev Sutton, 27 Feb 03

I can only echo what has been said before. We've all learned a lot from you and you've given us the confidence to delve further. It looks like I never will get to see the intercooler and other mods on your bus but on the plus side there shouldn't be any more dashes over to Birkenhead with Townie bits :-)

Good luck with the GV. At least you won't get the "what's that" stares any more.

regards
Ian

- (#7393) Ian Dunse, 28 Feb 03

... and best of British with the business.

- (#7394) tony, 28 Feb 03

Thanks, all. Sandy and I are touched by your kind words. Funny, I had a call from the purchaser of the townie this morning, inquiring as to it's history. Didn't hang around at the dealership anyway...

- (#7509) david miller, 28 Feb 03

David, think we should have called you 'Mr Townace'! I for one, would like to say many thanks for all the input, that you have given to this site.
I have been visiting the web site for about 18 months now, you have answered many of my questions - for this I thank you, you will be missed.
All the best for the future, Tony L-J.

- (#7510) Tony Lloyd-Jones, 28 Feb 03

Just to add my thanks and wish you all best.

- (#7511) NUke, 28 Feb 03

Thanks for all you've input into the board, thanks for replying to my questions too.

Good luck for the future.
David

- (#7512) David R Millar, 28 Feb 03

sorry to read that youll be leaving us , you'll be missed , thank you for all your insight, had it not been for your tremendous contribution i would have let my townie go a long time ago , i to am self employed and when i had to replace my engine ,after over heating i lost use of the townie for 6 weeks it was awful, but im still there !! good luck with your new bussines.

- (#7513) javed, 28 Feb 03

David, sorry to see you go, and we will all miss the excellent contribution you have made to this site in your many postings, best of luck in your business expansion, and rest assured that whoever gets your "townie" will get a good'un

john

- (#7514) John Collier, 1 Mar 03

David,

I'll excuse myself if I playback the same tunes as the other townie owners, but cannot leave it untold, sad to see you parting, glad your ventures are growing and thanks God, you'll still be in this planet!
Should you ever come across this part of the world (Mozambique or South Africa), please, drop me a line and I will be glad to treat you to a townie tropical tour, as believe you have made yourself friends in half the globe (seriously).

Good luck,
Manecas

- (#7515) Manecas, 3 Mar 03

Dave,
I am fortunate not to have had problems in the six months I have owned my townace, but on the occasions that I have needed information, the speed of your response has always impressed me, so thank you very much for that. I am also glad to see that even though you are no longer a townie owner, you are still dishing out the advise and information. Thanks for that as well, and please keep it up. It would be a shame to loose your knowledge of these vehicles.

As a small business man myself, it warms my heart to here of other small businesses and self employed people doing well and moving forward, I wish you well and hope you continue to prosper.

If you find yourself in the Bournemouth area any time, look me up and I’ll let you have a nostalgic drive.

All the best, dave Bright

- (#7607) dave Bright, 4 Mar 03