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Are there any of the knowledgable car men around today?

91 replies

peckarollover · 13/06/2005 13:06

You may have read that my car was burnt to the ground in an arson attack a couple of weeks ago

Im looking for a new car.

I have 2 kids and will probably have another within the next few years.

I am also in the process of registering to be a childminder so a 7 seater is looking likely.

BUT and its a big BUT what is the cheapest I can get one for without it being realllllly crap. Any particular models to look for?

I would also really like something that is as economic to run as possible. Are there many that are diesel?

I have bought the auto trader today but my brain is hurting already!

OP posts:
peckarollover · 22/06/2005 23:24

I havent yet recovered from the shock to tell the tale

OP posts:
Janh · 22/06/2005 23:40

becca!!!???

anteater · 23/06/2005 00:02

room vroom or boom boom?

JoolsToo · 23/06/2005 00:27

hi anteater! is the bedroom finished?

peckarollover · 23/06/2005 07:54

still havent recovered!

will try to get it all down when i get back from school run.

On the upside, I did keep the car - its outside

OP posts:
Fio2 · 23/06/2005 08:24

whats happened chuck?

bea · 23/06/2005 08:36

eeeekkk!!!! what happenned? bad or good...???? disastrous or wonderful????? how mean of you to keep us waiting like this!!!!

bea · 23/06/2005 11:12

Peckarollover!!!!!!!

what happenned????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

peckarollover · 23/06/2005 12:47

Its all so much to write down and I dont think you can get how surreal it is from text!

Basically - they said it would be delivered yesterday afternoon. I rang at 11AM to check time and he said it would most probably be evening - 6 - 7 pm.

It got to 8pm and I was starting to really worry, I had pretty much convinced myself that it was all a scam and there was no car!

At 8.30pm my mobile rang - it was a man the delivery guy had stopped for directions and he didnt seem to have a clue where he was going and was suprised that he was going all the way to newcastle upon tyne. Anyway i gave him directions but wondered why the man himself didnt come on the phone.

More waiting........

At 10pm I noticed someone outside of our fence. We went out and lo and behold there was the man! BUT no car!!!!

HE HAD RUN OUT OF PETROL!!!!

DP invited him in to sort things out and he was demanding cups of coffee and even hinted at me making him something to eat.

He was also hinting to stay overnight as it had got too late to get train back! I couldnt berluudy believe it.

I walked down to where he had broken down and he had left lights on, windows open, full car unlocked and all documents on the front seat!

Anyway, my DP took him in our other car to garage and got some petrol to get it going again.

He was a nice man but very over the top, in your face and a little bit ermmmm odd really.

He was keep saying he was desperate for a drink and should we all go out on the beer! I obviously refused but DP the softie that he is felt sorry for him and took him to the pub.

DP returned at 1am after having been in the pub with him where he apparently downed pints like there was no tomorrow then took him to try and find a hotel. The man was still asking to stay with us and said could he sleep in the car on the stree! DP said no, the missus wont be happy with that.

He only had £50 which was to include hotel and train fare and DP took him to various hotels all of which were full or too expensive.

In the end dp said look mate - im at work tomorrow, we need to sort something out so he said just drop me at the police station! So thats where he left him.

DP was concerned about him when he got in - he said there was something not right about him - when they were in pub and were laughing or something he kept burying his head in DPs chest and things like that. He also had quite a major speech impedement so it was hard to understand him.

I was a bit scared of him at first but once he had gone and wasnt a threat I actually felt very sorry for him. He said that the company wouldnt be reimbursing him for staying over and that they told him it was only 100 miles away.

God knows what became of him last night, I think he was giong to ask the police if he could sleep in a cell.

What I find incredulous is that we had paid for this car to be delivered and ended up driving all over the city all night trying to find him somewhere to stay!

There was no handover with the car - he went off with DP to the petrol station and I (or the car) didnt see him again!

Soooooooooo, whilst Im thrilled with the car I cant believe the scenario in which it entered my life!

OP posts:
Fio2 · 23/06/2005 13:40

poor bloke! and poor you, sounds hilarious its like the care we have now, dh went out for a test drive in it (it was about 70 miles away) and about an hour or so later we had some bloke banging on the front door. I never answered and dh was upstairs and said its the bloke from the garage. This bloke then went off and we had about 2 or 3 phonecalls from the garage asking where the keys to the car was. Dh rings back and said I gave them back to you and they question him saying have you taken them etc etc. then said bloke turns back up again accusing dh of trying to nick the car. day after keys turn up behind computer in car sales garage and a very apologetic phonecall followed. Dh bought the car though and they knocked loads of money off - through guilt I would imagine

anteater · 23/06/2005 15:25

Berluudy hell Pecka!

JT, beds, arrive next Thursday so that when its finished, [sweaty face]

bea · 23/06/2005 16:14

ye gads! wot anightmare... and what a very strange sounding bloke, was he teh man who you spoke to on the phone... but do you like evrything car wise? and was it all very reasonable???

peckarollover · 23/06/2005 16:16

I do like everything car wise - Im really pleased with it.

I am still glad I went with them as for the price Ive got a car with lower mileage, it is immaculate and includes the warranty.

BUT not sure I would recommend the company - would hate for anyone else to be messed around and I certainly didnt think it was very professional.

There has been no handover - for eg no talk on how different things work and what to do in case of needing the warranty etc

OP posts:
popsycal · 23/06/2005 22:04

pmsl

bea · 24/06/2005 13:12

we're in birmingham, so if we do decide to go with them we will go and pick up for ourselves!!!!! have fun scooting around your lovely new car... !!!

peckarollover · 24/06/2005 15:38

oh well in that case I would recommend.

I have had a mechanic check the car over today and his response was "its cushdy" (geordie for brilliant, no problems!)

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