u/remwreck

Is it just specific to where I am or has all the Richmond & Linda McCartney frozen stuff gone everywhere? One big freeze, working, empty. Been like this for over a week now.

Stock issue or Quorn got the monopoly?

Since I was a teenager I've wanted a mk4 Astra. Call me crazy I know. They're not the prettiest, in any way fast or efficient but theres something about them that appeals. I drove a mates a few times but never had my own. Every so often I have a look around at whats on the market and last week saw one that caught my eye, reasonably priced but teetering on the edge of life and needs some work to keep it good which is priced in. Went to see it and fell for that raw experience of analogue driving, a gearbox that feels like theres a meter between 2nd and 3rd, harder steering, an actual handbrake. The quirky bits but stuff that can make driving fun.

Priced at 500 online but the owner was candid in telling me it had little interest other than me and another guy who offered 400 to scrap it. Said he'd rather see it stay on the road so I could have it for 400. I went to sleep on it, as it probably needs about 500 spending in the next year to keep it roadworthy, 1k is hitting my limit for a bit of fun 2nd car. Its very tempting.

Then I did the insurance quote. Nearly 40, stable office job, on the roads 20+yrs, no claims, etc etc Im getting prices back for £550+ for 1.4 16v astra and this is where Ive hit the wall. Insurance higher than the car is worth. This takes the outlay towards the 2k mark which isnt doable so the dream is quickly fading but its crushing to know if I turn the car down its future is the scrapyard. The seller said he'd park it up at home and wait a bit longer for me to free up cash but needs the cash for his next cars insurance so needs to sell soon. I could have the chance to tick a box Ive always wanted ticking, saving a running car from crushing at the same time but realistically dont think I can.

I think this is slightly rhetorical as I know the answer deep down is I cant do anything and another running car is going to the graveyard, but can anyone think of a way to make this work?

My sibling has an only child (6yo boy), they parent alone due to difficult circumstances and has pretty much all of the child's life so far.

Boy can be gentle but also boisterous and is developing an aggressive, destructive streak that is becoming hard to handle.

Boy hasnt ever really completely got to grips with it not being ok to hit despite multiple angles of tactics.

Feels like a power struggle that the boy is starting to win as the parent can find reasons for the other behaviour. When I do see it, its hard to watch (I dont want to undermine them) though often it seems to be behind closed doors, so often read reports of the events after.

I am a little stuck on how to help, other than suggest the obvious counselling etc. It feels like some sort of intervention is required but I need to approach this in a way that doesnt seem patronising.

Any help of similar circumstances appreciated. DM if you not comfortable repling.

My sibling has an only child (6yo boy), they parent alone due to difficult circumstances and have pretty much all of the child's life so far.

Boy can be gentle but also boisterous and is developing an aggressive, destructive streak that is becoming hard to handle.

Boy hasnt ever really completely got to grips with it not being ok to hit despite multiple angles of tactics.

Feels like a power struggle that the boy is starting to win as the parent can find reasons for the other behaviour. When I do see it, its hard to watch (I dont want to undermine them) though often it seems to be behind closed doors, so often read reports of the events after.

I am a little stuck on how to help, other than suggest the obvious counselling etc. It feels like some sort of intervention is required but I need to approach this in a way that doesnt seem patronising.

Any help of similar circumstances appreciated. DM if you not comfortable repling.

Looking at new suppliers and a few of the smaller indies like Fuse and SO are appealing but come with a bit of a risk when considering global factors at play currently.

Im interested in peoples experiences who were with one of the many energy suppliers in 2008 that went bust when the markets crashed. Was it easy to move, did you loose much money etc?

Original Post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/CarTalkUK/comments/1tvgv2h/i_fell_for_it_the_faulty_bolt_at_the/

Update:

First of all I should say I can be an anxious person and this week my stress levels have been through the roof having brought a house on my own, completing the purchase the day before the post (3 days late!). I'd collected the house keys 15hrs earlier.

I didn't time it well, but I had a week booked off work to get the house into a liveable condition, get all the other stuff you cant usually do whilst working 9/5 - like a recall on the car sorted - before going back to work next week.

Anyway. Day 1 car went in, end of day 1 they called to say the part failed. I posted here very stressed. Mid-afternoon day 2 after reading all the responses here and hearing nothing I decide to call JLR and ask for an update on the car. Turns out the part hadn't arrived and wouldn't be sorted today. I breath in and channel some of the responses here asking 'Is there a remote chance of a vehicle to tide me over until its fixed?' After a few minutes hold, I'm told I'm in luck, a vehicle has just been returned I can make my way over to collect it.
I then decide to get even more assertive and ask for confirmation on who's liable for the costs.

As nearly all the responses here stated, not me. The part failed during the recall procedure so its all covered under the works warranty. The world stopped for a second when I realised Id be stressing over nothing (or something I really should have checked at the start) but all's well...

And hey, I got a new Evoque Autobiography for a couple of days, collected a load of stuff to get going on the house and got my car back with a brand new steering rack, all at no cost to me.

Thanks to all the helpful, pragmatic responses helping me see right on a slightly ott stress-related post.

Damn JLR.

I get a letter telling me about a faulty bolt on the steering rack of L538's that are being recalled for replacement due to a proneness to failure.

Car's 11 years old so think its probably worthwhile doing, book in the work.

Greeted at service center. Its all very nice, take a seat, have a coffee, someone comes over and gives me the speil:

"In some rare occurrences during this work the bolt can snap and the car might be needed to stay in longer, so plan for that. If your sure you want to go ahead please sign here"

I think hmm, what are the chances, if I dont get it back tonight I can make do, sign and go off leaving them to it.

1hr before pickup is due I get a call:

"Hi, unfortunately when completing the work the bolt snapped, so we're going to have to replace the steering rack, we can get a replacement delivered for tomorrow so car will be in overnight"

Thats when I realise.... This is me now paying for a new steering rack at JLR service prices. They didn't outrightly tell me this, but I just know if I quibble they'll say "oh its in the terms and conditions you signed". Arseholes.

Flaired as advice, but might just be a rant. Yes I know, my bad for owning a JLR, also my bad for using the dealership service center. They got me with the fear.

Damn JLR.

I get a letter telling me about a faulty bolt on the steering rack of L538's that are being recalled for replacement.

Cars 11 years old so think its probably worthwhile doing, book in the work.

Greeted at service centre. Its all very nice, take a seat, have a coffee, someone comes over and gives me the speil

"In some rare occurrences during this work the bolt can snap and the car might be needed to stay in longer, so plan for that. If your sure you want to go ahead please sign here"

I think hmm, what are the chances, if I dont get it back tonight I can make do, sign and go off leaving them to it.

1hr before pickup is due I get a call:

"Hi, unfortunately when completing the work the bolt snapped, so we're going to have to replace the steering rack, we can get a replacement delivered for tomorrow so car will be in overnight"

Thats when I realise.... This is me now paying for a new steering rack at JLR service prices. They didn't outrightly tell me this, but I just know if I quibble they'll say "oh its in the terms and conditions you signed". Arseholes.

Has anyone been in a position approaching completion where at a pre-exchange viewing you've found something different, missing, broken etc?

How have you navigated this?

Used to be into pendulum back in day, the early stuff was wild, be good to hear it loud again.

All my mates from those days have moved on now though. Anyone going?