OP
OP
My car history has been pretty terrible:-
First car, a Fiesta I paid for to learn to drive in, had 6 months MOT but had terminal engine failure, I got it through the MOT by pouring in lots of stop smoke (the piston rings were shot). Had it for 9 months before the engine gave up but I only spent £90 to get it through the MOT so it was a very cheap car. Sold it for £60.
Second car, another Fiesta, this time had a great engine but soon released it was made of rust, kept it for two months before buying a 9 year old V plate top spec Corsa. It had all all the mod cons of the time (electric heated mirrors etc, electric power steering, 16v, electric windows etc etc) spent a fortune on that. I had it for 11 months in that time.
I had two front springs changed, two year shocks changed, new front brake pads, new MAF sensor (diagnosed and fitted myself), rear springs changed and just when I thought it was working well the head gasket blew! I had it 10 months so could not qualify for the scrappage scheme and by 11 months the scheme ended so I just got rid and bought a brand new Panda but got a bit discount so only cost me £1000 more, and I got £300 for my Corsa so really missing out on the scheme cost me just £700.
Had the Panda since then it has been brilliant until now, all I have needed is a new manifold hose (under warranty), clutch pedal needing work (under warranty), new front pads and new park plugs. I will wait and see what needs to be done to cure my current problem but I am worried it will just become another Corsa.
With your car, I would now keep it as you have spent too much, but the next time something fairly big goes wrong, fix it, sell it and get shot. Hopefully though your car will behave from now, and yours has 71,000 miles a lot more than mine, it is hopefully just down to a bad garage and not being a Friday afternoon car where all the workers were drinking Vodka while making it
I suppose your car history says that you pretty much get what you pay for...
As for your problems, you might just need to bite the bullet like I did. Take the car somewhere sensible like what I did when I brought it up to Donnelly's. I'm hoping that after what I've paid out I'll be getting 90mpg lol and nothing will drop off it or die for another five years... Unfortunately, I know that car ownership doesn't always go to plan, but I have lived to tell the story!
PS I'll be in Manchester next Tuesday...
