Anyone else feel a bit down on their luck?
Got made redundant twice in 7 months a couple of years ago and it ended up with me working miles from home, so after the thirst of the V6 I was pressed into getting a more economical way of getting to/from the office. I didn't want to do it, but needs must (family to feed, wife looks after the kids, mortgage to pay etc), so I sought out a VX Corsa diesel to hammer the miles in and keep my barge for the weekends. Had the radiator blow and two new tyres on the Corsa - god knows who had last done the tracking but they should be hung. Just before Christmas the rear wishbone on the Jag seems to be on it's way out so couldn't use that for long distance, which meant cancelling plans to see the family. MOT for the Corsa came just before christmas too, and it failed (wasn't expecting flying colours) but only on a steering gaiter, a wheel bearing and some structural chassis corrosion. £30 for parts, a few hours sat in below zero temperatures and it was ready for welding. I was even feeling quite pleased with myself sorting out those two little jobs. Came to start it the next morning and the battery was flat. Tried to jump it from a spare and it wouldn't go. Hooked it up to the Jag and watched the water pump self destruct (should have checked the anti-freeze perhaps as I suspect that it was perhaps a bit weak for the -10 overnight temperatures we had). Desperately needed a car to hammer to/from work so bought a Nissan Almera in good nick for good money thinking I'd use that for a few weeks, get the Corsa back together and sell one of them on so I'd barely lose out. Had it twelve days and on Sunday night went round a bend only to feel the car go suddenly light, no steering input, nothing I did would change the car from taking a very long slide off the edge of the country lane I was going down. Wouldn't have been so bad if it weren't for the 5ft deep drainage ditch which the car rolled over into. Came to a very shuddering halt. I'd normally drive the road, and that corner, at 50+, but I'd even slowed down thinking that there was a bit more mud on the road than normal so was only doing about 30. Nevertheless I ended up climbing out that.
Just to add insult to injury (GP reckon's I've got whiplash and gave me a load of drugs to sort out the stiff neck) I went home, collected the insurance/AA details and came back to the car, only to be met by plod. Now fair dues to the occifer who'd attended - he breathalised me (fair 'nuff - I'd had nothing anyway) and then told me the car was so far over and buried that it caused no obstruction so it didn't need to be removed straight away. He even let me sit in the back of the warm squad car whilst I rang the insurance company/AA - neither of who would cover me for the recovery of the car. He then suggested that I could have him organise it, as it's usually cheaper than anywhere else anyway at £120. I agreed, and left as there was no need for me to stay - I'd collect the car in the morning.
Didn't sleep, felt like crap, saw GP then got the missus to drive me down to the recovery yard. They'd used a strap under the roof and a crane to haul it out, completely creasing the roof and destroying any chance of me running the car again, so I was less than pleased. Then I nearly dropped to the floor when they announced they wanted £300 quid to release it. They wouldn't let me even try and start it in the yard (even though they'd been happily moving it around by driving it). Then they had the cheek to offer to dispose of it free of charge! I argued that they should offset the scrap value of the car but they were having none of it. I ended up paying up, drove the car out their yard and intend to sell it on as scrap tomorrow.
So, now I'm stuck with a knackered Almera, a Corsa in need of waterpump, welding, MOT & Tax, a long-distance cruiser I daren't drive more than a few miles, and a shot neck.
Life has it's ups and downs but at the moment there seems a lot more downs than up!
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Topic: On the downwards bit on life's rollercoaster? (Read 593 times)