Punto (Mk2/2b) The car I wasn't going to change...

[jatkinson]

Im willing to bet some money that id be able to get that paint off your bumper with out painting it

 

[homeward]

Im willing to bet some money that id be able to get that paint off your bumper with out painting it

I probably could, too -- and put the bumper and headlight back in the right position: but if someone else is paying for it (as they should), then I'd rather it was done properly (especially as the bumper was unmarked, beforehand...). Also, the less strain I place on my poor old neck, the better. (I'm still aching just from changing the blasted horn... -- although I can now remove the air filter box blindfold, and in less than a minute...!?!)

 

[homeward]

i dont see the fuss, its fairly minor....

Read the rest of the thread; and see how much this car has been cherished by me, etc..

You'll also discover that, over the last 18 years, I've been at the receiving end of three really bad road traffic accidents (so even something this mild brings back my PTSD...); would struggle physically (because of the subsequent serious and ongoing injuries) to -- but could, if push came to shove (although it wouldn't do me any favours...) -- do the work myself; am therefore disabled, by any definition; and need my car more than most.

It's all a matter of perspective and subjectivity (and principle): but the core of the matter is that I've spent a lot of time (and a bit of dosh) getting this car into as good a condition as it can be (although it's not perfect, by any means...) -- including (relatively) recently fitting a replacement bumper: which therefore has the best condition paintwork (or did) of any part of the car. And I'm therefore peeved.

Wouldn't you be...?

No "fuss". Just a tad upset... -- because someone was careless; caused me some pretty horrendous flashbacks and nightmares; and damaged my pride and joy: which will therefore be off the road for a couple of days. (Time to dig out my bus-pass, therefore; or be stuck at home....)

 

[oldhammer]

sorry to see your car as been damaged,

ihope they sort it out for you,

iknow what it feels like..to put alot of effort /time/money into acar and someone
comes along and does this.. :bang:

 

[panda panda]

It is annoying these car park incidents, glad you'll get it sorted at no monetary cost to yourself though.

All my cars have dings in the doors from careless arseholes in car parks and they never fess up

Once my new doors are on I will avoid carparks like the plague

 

[atom0007]

my horn also sounded a bit comical. Cleaning up the spade terminals with sandpaper brought it back to life. But it doesn't look as smart as the one you've got there.

 

[s and b]

Im willing to bet some money that id be able to get that paint off your bumper with out painting it

problem is the scratches are deep so even removing the silver residue from the other car you would need to rebuild the lacquer up ,so easiest repair would be a localised base and lacquer repair

its so annoying when you keep your car tidy and it gets bumped but at least the other driver is a proper citizen

 

[s and b]

my horn also sounded a bit comical. Cleaning up the spade terminals with sandpaper brought it back to life. But it doesn't look as smart as the one you've got there.

paint a joghurt carton red and stick it on top

 

[atom0007]

None left, I've used them for my in-car telephony system, with some string

 

[homeward]

my horn also sounded a bit comical. Cleaning up the spade terminals with sandpaper brought it back to life. But it doesn't look as smart as the one you've got there.

Thank you...!

I'd cleaned the terminals a couple of times before; but this time it was, er, terminal. Liberally coated in Vaseline, too (the terminals, that is...)!

 

[homeward]

Was starting to get messed around by the third party: so have let my insurance company sort it -- as it was beginning to stress me out. It also looks as if the offside wing has been pushed back a little: so I'm not willing to have someone argue over peanuts, when it may actually end up costing more....

NCD not affected; and no excess to pay -- as it wasn't my fault. Car's being collected first thing Wednesday; with an automatic courtesy car arriving at lunchtime.

 

[oldhammer]

Best way mate,

why did they mess you around anyway,
wouid of been easier for them just to say sorry..and get me a quote for the damage and iwill pay it,
they most probs aint got the coins or dont want to spend,

it will cost them more in the long run ...or atleast ihope so,

 

[David Dawson]

Ask for a Panda

Glad it's getting sorted, the insurers do come in handy in these situations.

 

[homeward]

Best way mate,

why did they mess you around anyway,
wouid of been easier for them just to say sorry..and get me a quote for the damage and iwill pay it,
they most probs aint got the coins or dont want to spend,

it will cost them more in the long run ...or atleast ihope so,

Thanks! :worship:

My thoughts exactly!

As agreed with the TP, I got a quote of £140, plus VAT (from the bodyshop where I had my bumper originally fitted), to remove the bumper, respray the half that was damaged, and give it a thorough once-over (which I would have paid for, in all honesty, if anything else was found...), before re-attaching. Instead of, say, offering me £125 (which is what I would have done...), he wanted to "meet for coffee" (i.e. talk me out of it), and then -- when I texted to say no -- he obfuscated, and decided to tell me I should take it to "his garage", instead: as it would be cheaper. (Not so sure what guarantee I would get with this. And, as it's my car, surely it's up to me to decide where it's fixed...?)

I can spot a runaround a mile off; and I'm not willing to be taken on one -- especially after spotting the wing being out of alignment, this morning. Either he's not told his mum (whose car it is), or he thinks, compared to their Merc, this is just a poxy little Punto; and the damage can "just be T-cut out...". Well yah-boo-sucks to that...!

Anyway; mess with homeward, and this is what you get, I'm afraid. Will be interesting to see what car I get, whilst mine's being fixed.

 

[homeward]

Ask for a Panda

Glad it's getting sorted, the insurers do come in handy in these situations.

Ta! :worship:

Ooh, a TwinAir Dualogic would have been nice...! :slayer:

Didn't get a choice of make, though; but do get an automatic: (1) to match mine like-for-like (because it's no fault of mine...); and (2) because I'm disabled... -- and for as long as any repairs take, plus three days.

All costs that could have been avoided (like transporting my car to the garage and back), if I'd had to take the bus, under my own steam, as I'd intended (and if the TP had held up his end of the bargain...).

 

[homeward]

It also looks as if the offside wing has been pushed back a little.... Car's being collected first thing Wednesday; with an automatic courtesy car arriving at lunchtime.

The more I looked at the car, the more I could see that the shut-line between the driver's door and the wing was no longer parallel (in fact, it's now quite tight, at the top of the wing...); likewise between the bonnet and the wing... -- and the guy who came to collect Priscilla, this morning, spotted this straight away: hence all the yellow arrows and "AD" (accident damage) marks on the car....

He also said what fantastic condition the car was in, for its age... -- and he sounded quite sincere...!



I've been utterly impressed with the service I've received, so far -- from the insurance company; the recovery and accident repair company; and the courtesy car providers. (All names will be revealed, once I have the car back, and I'm happy -- I have too much Yorkshire blood in me not to be superstitious about such things....)

In fact, once the repair company had ascertained that I had a smartphone, they sent me a link, which, when followed, took me through photographing and videoing the car, and the damage, etc.; as well as allowing me to make notes. Very clever...! :worship:

Anyhoo: Priscilla is on her way to Birmingham; and I should hear back from the assessor in the next couple of days.



Going to miss the little thing....

 

[homeward]

Didn't get a choice of make, though; but do get an automatic: (1) to match mine like-for-like (because it's no fault of mine...); and (2) because I'm disabled... -- and for as long as any repairs take, plus three days.

Well, it should have been a Freelander... :woot:

...but that was returned late, and without any fuel; so it's this instead...





It's okay, but feels like it was designed by a committee; and feels like it has the torques (© J Clarkson, Esq. 2000) of a car twice its weight... -- although, because the steering is immensely twitchy, and oddly assisted, ironically, it's not difficult to bring on torque steer, if you put the pedal to the metal.... :yuck:

It's very oppressive, inside (every part of the car is dark grey...); and the seats aren't as nice as my Alfa 147 ones. The steering wheel is also oddly profiled, making it hard for my poor, weak hands to grip (especially as the thing is as nervous as a virgin bride...).

On the plus side, the gear-change is quite smooth -- sort of halfway between Priscilla (CVT/Speedgear) and our Mk3 Panda (robotized/Dualogic); and it does have some umph, if you're prepared to floor it -- just takes a bit of effort. It corners quite nicely (if you modulate the acceleration correctly); and is quite economical (45 mpg, so far; compared to the 35 mpg the previous driver(s) got...).

If I was test-driving it, though, I'd have taken it back to the dealer after a couple of miles. However, it is free; all I have to pay for is fuel; and it's not a bad car, really. Just anodyne....

Dear Top Gear -- next time Mr Clarkson does something wrong, please remember I'm available. I am also in my fifties, and overweight. But not quite as right-wing or opinionated. I do like driving, though -- especially automatics and Pandas...!

 

[s and b]

you know its possible they will write your car off and offer you peanuts now they've got it away from you?

just saying (insert gob shut gif)

its what they do

 

[homeward]

you know its possible they will write your car off and offer you peanuts now they've got it away from you?

I know. It's a risk I have to take, though, I'm afraid... -- although I will fight tooth and nail if they try it on....

Put it this way: they'll look mean if they try and take away a disabled driver's only means of transport... -- and I'm quite good at emotional blackmail....

 

[s and b]

I know. It's a risk I have to take, though, I'm afraid... -- although I will fight tooth and nail if they try it on....

just confirm your not with hayystings for starters