My car died and I’m devastated - hand hold please

[whyyyyyisitmonddayy]

I’m being so ridiculous but keep in mind I’ve got a really bad kidney infection so I’m in a lot of pain. I can hardly walk.

My car died. Clutch went. It was a landrover nearing 20, had a name (from previous owner - on paperwork) and it was falling apart. It was my first car and gifted to me by my mum who had it for six years. She was a tricky thing to drive but she took me everywhere.

she was my freedom. I’m 21 and a student. I’d gone car camping in her. I did delivery driving from her. Saved my ass while hydroplaning, going through flood water, etc. I spent 100s of hours behind the Wheel. Getting drive through food by myself and parking up for some quiet. I’d repaired her road size and put away money to repair her failing turbo (her clutch went first and it was far too expensive to fix). I’d gone on holiday in her, slept in the back, she dropped my bags of for other holidays. Hell, she even dropped me off at school, at college, at uni…

I defended her when my boyfriend rightly told me she was a hunk of junk who needed to be scraped. She did. But I still cried when she broke down after her torque went.

im lucky enough im able to get another car but nothing is catching my eye. My life is falling apart and im barely holding it together already. And now my sweet old car is gone. it’s silly, but I loved the way she felt to drive. Terrible MPG though. I took such good care of her too.

I understand op,my car is a 'she' and has a name too .I've had her 11 years and will be gutted when she finally dies (she's 16 now) She's been my life line and freedom as a lone parent and over the years we've had some adventures together,she escorted me on (many) Internet dates and taken me up and down the motorway when I met my now partner .

I get it, OP. Many of us attach sentimental value to our cars. I know I do, and I don't even like driving all that much.

You've been through a lot too, and still are with your health problems. I hope things start to improve for you very soon.

My Dad always named his cars. All were called Suzie for some reason. They were characters to him too. DH and I have been similar, as have my own DDs, though the cars have had various names and there have been no further Suzies. 🤣

im lucky enough im able to get another car but nothing is catching my eye

From your OP @whyyyyyisitmonddayy. You wouldn’t be waiting for something to catch your eye if you were desperate for your freedom and your income to resume. You’d be looking for the most suitable, practical car imo.

How have you lost your income and your freedom if you can afford to buy a new car? That doesn't make sense. Buy a new car and then you get both back don't you?

I initially thought it was a typo and you meant cat too!

I named my first few cars too and would call them he/she. After all ships are female!

Sorry you are struggling @whyyyyyisitmonddayy - kidney infections are nasty too. It sounds like your car gave you some good times as well as a safe harbour when life got rough. I really hope things improve for you.

Oh I was thinking of Robin Ellacott as well. Kidney infections are very nasty I went loopy the last time I had one. It made me realise how elderly people end up delirious from UTI’s. I hope you feel better soon @whyyyyyisitmonddayy and eventually get a nice new car.

Thank you for providing more context op. For what it's worth our car had MOT yesterday and I was really scared in case it was going to be more than we could afford. 16 year old car and zero public transport near us. So lucky it passed! We had a fab car years ago called 'Vodger' he was smashed up in an accident( not our fault) and we still think of him fondly. As I said previously I still think thread title is grim and have never liked it when people say car,phone etc died. But as I also said that is prob just me!
Great you can get another car and hopefully it will stand you in good stead.

Lulu the Allegro (yes I am that old! First car that had zero street cred but it was free and my route to freedom)
Persius the Passat
Parker Golf
Larry Lexus
Gus the Golf
Fifi the Fiat 500
Vera the Zafira
Penelope The Punto

Loved and hated in equal measure! I was really said when Parker Golf died, he was my fave

When my car is dying I find it incredibly stressful and lose sleep over it. The expense and effort involved in repairs and looking for a new car overwhelms me. (See also washing machine and oven).

I sobbed all the way to the garage when I sold my first car and still have a framed photo of her. I saved for 10 years for ny first car and it was a big step to have my freedom.

I get it, OP.

Also, if you had a Landy, you have to name them. It's the law. (Current owner of a vintage Defender here.)

I'd look at few different garages and get more quotes.
Not clear if it is the gearbox or the clutch or both, but it sounds on the expensive side, bearing in mind that you'd expect a Landrover to last much longer than 20 years.

Our beloved car died in the Luton Airport carpark fire.

It was not only a beauty, but my dad loved it, and it was the last car he ever went in.

It still had things in it, some of sentimental value, like a card from dad. I never thought it would be destroyed.

OP, your surname isn't Ellacott, is it?

I totally sympathise. My Landrover has died as well. Gutted. I love that car. It’s the nicest car I’ve ever had. It had a new timing chain a few years ago but it has now apparently failed a stretch test again and it’s also throwing up an EGR fault code and the haldex pump has gone. It’s old with high mileage and not realistically feasible for me to repair. My husband hates it, it’s had a few problems over the years but I love it. It’s taken me and my family all over the country. I really want another one but husband says no as it’s been such a lemon. No idea what to replace it with.

I completely empathise OP, had to scrap my 25 year old Beetle today and couldn’t stop sobbing.

I was devastated when my 25 Yr old VW had to be sent for scrap, I felt guilty as it got attached to the low loader as if it was a pet being put to sleep😭

My mum's car died when she was in her last days in a hospice. Even the guy from the garage was devastated. We never told her and she died a few days later. The money we got for it we gave to the hospice.

I did wonder if it was a typo and meant cat

I get you OP. I cried for days after my car was written off. I say hello and goodnight to my car and tell her how much I love her!

Genuinely thought it said cat had died not car at first.

its good you are in a position to buy a new one and so won’t have lost your freedom for long. I think in the grand scheme of things, you need to get some perspective. It was a good reliable car and now it’s time for a new one. You are in a very fortunate position that you can get another car. It’s sad it’s not usable any more but it’s great you have so many lovely memories of your first car.

I hope your kidney infection clears up soon

I’m with you OP, I cried when my Disco failed it’s mot 😢 and had to go

You’re 21! You can afford a new car, at that age most can’t! How on earth have you lost your freedom and home? Sounds like you have a mum who cares and can house you and money to buy a new car?? It’s sad but ‘hand hold’?

Hear me out. Is she still in good repair bodywork and not rusty or leaky? Turn her into a cosy bed & keep her in the garden :) I’m actually serious; at a theme park we went to a jeep was turned into a double bed inside. Then she’s still a cosy haven…

Unfortunately lovely old cars like that generally need you to be able to do DIY repairs to make them more affordable, DH had a yellow Beetle that eventually died of rust but he did the repairs himself like clutch change, engine rebuild, etc. I'm sure that had a name. Hopefully you will get a newer car you will love.

Jesus, how big is your driveway!