New Car

Well, Its been a few days since i looked over my shoulder at the car that has served me well over the last 6 odd years, as i left the salvage yard. Albeit with a few hefty bills for servicing and repairs along the way.But then it was a frantic exercise in finding another car, as my work place is in a large city, requiring a 56 mile round trip,at times that do not embrace the public transport system. A car was located at a local independant secondhand car sales co. For under two thousand pounds. Which obviously indicates that its not exactly a new one, Just new to me. As i am not in the higher wage earning bracket, and am not prepared to take on more finance, there was only one option left in my mind. And that was to buy as good a car as you can get, for the money one had scraped together,by sacrifycing other things. (Just hope the combi boiler holds out a bit longer). Is it just me? Or are other people in a catch 22 situation! eg. I need to work in the larger city, as the wage structure in my own locale is pretty low. But i work through the night, and so need a car to get me to and from work. No car, No work, No money to pay other bills.including the upkeep of a road legal car. Mot,taxed and insured. and thats before you start to put fuel in it! Whats the answer? Is there one? Who knows.Oh yes! nearly forgot, I have reduced engine size from a 1.8 diesel to a 1.4 petrol. Maybe that may save me a bit in fuel costs! But i won`t hold my breath, as the price per ltr seems to go up every time you have to get some.

ITS GONE

Well, I suppose it had to happen! The annual vehicle test (mot) has put paid to my pride and joy,as the cost of getting it put right,far outweighs the value of the car itself. I have just got back from taking it to a local breakers yard,and one of the guys there said " It looks to good to scrap". I had to agree as I looked back at it, sat there looking highly polished and with clean and good condition mag/alloys. Yes! I am from the old school of keeping a car looking good, no matter how old it is. But when they start talking telephone numbers for a recon engine,which is what it required,then you have to make the choice. Spend more money on it, yet again.having spent £900 + on a service at the beginning of the year.(there was a couple of things wrong with it as well). So the decision was made for me, by way of the costs involved. A workmate suggested using the scrappage scheme to get myself a new car. This as i said to him was all very well, if you can afford to commit to regular monthly payments for the next 2or 3 years. And as i have other financial commitments,i do not want to go down that particular road. As i am not in a high end wage job,and with companies,mine included, freezing yearly pay rises ( Strange how the household bills don`t get frozen!) You can see my reluctance to take on more financial commitment.So, Have had to buy another old car, well newer than the one that it has replaced. and hope to cripes that nothing to major goes wrong with it.Unfortunately i do need a vehicle to enable me to get to work, as my shift pattern and start/finish times, do not allow using public transport.Distance involved rules out walking/cycling. Will be collecting car this afternoon. untill next time.