Hi all,

having got my girlfriend her first little car recently, we are slowly but surely getting it up to scratch. So far we have fixed the heater control solenoid, had 3 small-to-smallish patches welded up on the sills, replaced all 5 tyres (only 1 was good, two were already illegal), figured out the stereo code (many thanks to this forum), and a few odds and ends like sorting out the wiper blades, washer jets, wheel trims, buying a wheel brace, etc. - all the stuff that's to be done on a cheap car.

Next thing that wants looking at is probably the gearbox. The girlfriend complains that it is tricky to get it in gear, particularly first. Would I need to replace the linkage as an assembly, or is there a bushing that might be worn out? I am generally more happy spending time than money on this car. I can do drawbolts and have access to a vice, but don't have easy access to a press, though could work that out if really required. Anyone got a good (read: cheap) online source for spares? Does anyone know, specific to this model, if it's a job that needs a ramp, or a job that can be done just with minimal access to the car's underneath?

Many thanks!
Aaron