Polo failed his MOT today. He's had so much money spent on him over the last year or so, I was convinced he'd pass and am shocked about the reason why. Bit of background:
Aug 2003: Went to get tyres and balancing at Micheldever. They couldn't do the balancing because the front suspension was badly worn. Took Polo to a garage my dad has used for years and I trust completely, and he had new wishbones, bushes etc.
Later that month, a lorry took a shine to my car, which I thought would have ruined all the work done on the suspension, but it didn't and...
Jan 04: Passed MOT with flying colours.
Thought I'd get in early this time and get the MOT done with the service before it's due in Jan 05. (I had to take it VW because I still don't know any decent garages up here.) He's failed on front suspension "both bottom arm bushes split" and they say it's going to cost £270 to put right, in addition to the money I paid today. I'm gutted, and don't understand how the first set lasted 7 years, and the replacement set didn't even make it to 2. I just know that whoever it is in here who likes to give me grief about parking on the kurb outside my flat (there's nowhere else to park!) will be rubbing their hands with glee as I think it's that that's done it.
Polo also needs some sort of distributor and rotor arm but that is only £30 and not an MOT failure. I just hope they can do it this week because I don't fancy driving a car I know is poorly all the way south for Christmas, and I fancy the nasty 1.2 Polo they gave me today even less.
I'm just so annoyed! It's more than my half of the rent for a month and I'm so crap I haven't even managed to get a proper job yet after graduating. Cried in the traffic jam on the way home (which took an hour because some stupid yam yam decided to go through the roundabout rather than round it.) Phoned my dad and he's going to help me pay for it, but I'm supposed to be a grown up now and not need him to! (He insists this is what he signed up to the dad lark for, but I still feel awful.)
GRrr... I feel like leaving Polo unlocked with the key in the ignition as the excess on my insurance is less than the repair bill. I am an appalling mother and an even worse daughter. :(
|
If you carry on PG, you're going to make me cry!
It is really bad news but it could be a lot worse - that's the only good thing I can think of.
Of course, I can give you a lift...
.....for a nominal fee :-)
Key in ignition invalidates insurance ;-)
--
Adam
|
|
|
It's only the depressing after effects of the flu.
I prescribe a carton of Mint Crisp.
|
|
|
time to buy a new car.
--
I read often, only post occasionally
|
|
|
If the bottom arm bushes are wrecked and they were fitted by your dad's preferred garage it might be worth taking the car back to them and giving them ear ache and trying to get a decent discount on another set. Main dealers aren't worth bothering with for a car of polo's age. German swedish & french might be a good place to source parts rather than VW themselves and could save you quite a bit.
Repairing polo will be much cheaper than buying a replacement for him.
Let your dad help you pay for it and you can always pay him back once you get a job.
What's a yam yam?!
teabelly
|
What's a yam yam?!
Person from the Black Country, more specifically Dudley, who have their own "special" language, and like to annoy people by walking at snails pace through shopping centres looking for the sales in the shops (which only seem to exist up here) that sell cheap gold jewellery.
"Yam alright?" : are you ok?
"Where am ya?": Where are you?
"Where yow bin nice?": You look nice, where have you been?
"Them gorgeous": Those are gorgeous
|
|
|
|
Polo Girl - how horrid for you just before Christmas. To borrow from the Bah hummer idea, this may or may not make you feel better....
In the bleak mid-winter
Neighbours' cars made moan:
Polo Girl goes off-road,
Mounts the kerb of stone.
Now with useless bushes
(USA's had two),
What else next for Polo?
Just a hole. Boo-hoo.
Seriously, if you come near Reading or London, I spend a lot of my time interviewing and recruiting, and would be only too glad to give you any help I can with the job search. No Dosh has my E-mail address.
|
|
And if you need a lift.....
|
And if you need a lift.....
Don't do it PG. I took a lift off him once, and he crashed into another thread.
|
|
|
|
Sorry to read your news Polo Girl, it's not a good time to have unexpected bills. Try to stay positive, there are plenty of worse misfortunes that can strike us all at anytime. Bad luck doesn't last forever. You are lucky to have a supportive Father, I'm sure he's happy to help. Others have already given you good advice.
The search for suitable work can wear you down, but contacts can be very valuable. Talk to people and ask for help, it's not a sign of weakness. Allow people like Avant to help you, I'm sure you would do the same if you were able to help someone. Have a look at www.officerecruitmidlands.com there's lots of activity on the site at the moment.
Remember, we're supposed to enjoy are lives!
|
Or even 'our lives'!
Drinking red wine and using keyboards doesn't seem to mix well.
|
Drinking red wine and using keyboards doesn't seem to mix well.
'shpeshly when youra...you'ra.... someone wantsh you to moderoderate.
#hic!#
No Do$h - Alfa-driving Backroom Moderator
mailto:moderators@honestjohn.co.uk
|
|
|
|
Hi PG
As someone who was in your position during the last major recession in the early 90s, I can tell you, there IS light at the end of the tunnel. Our first child was born and the consistant failure to secure a graduate job really got to me. It took 12 months of hard work but it did pay off. A few years down the line when you're enjoying your job you'll look back on these times fondly - believe me you will!
Are you working at all at the moment? The reason I ask is twofold. Firstly there is the obvious income, and as Advent will no doubt agree, graduates who are already working in some capacity or other are much more switched on to the working ethos than those who are not. I use the word 'ethos' to mean a different pattern to student life etc where extensions to deadlines could be negotiated and attendance and start times were - ahem 'flexible'. I am generalising PG, and realise that your may well already have the working ethos under your belt. It just helps if you can demonstrate that you do and are getting at least some of the experience and skills that you'll need. For example, public relations skills in reatail etc.
I'm sure Mark will be along in due course to gove some advice and I would take up Advent's offer of help if you can. In addition Volvoman may be able to give some sensible pointers. He's actually very good at what he does - I know.
The best of luck and have a great Christmas!
Hugo
PS - Oh and about the car - scrap it - ;)
|
|
The Polo? Get rid. The damn thing has tried to kill you several times.
|
|
|
Absolutely, Hugo. We distrust CVs with too many job changes, but if they are temp jobs taken by graduates looking for the right thing, then interviewees can score by talking interestingly about them.
PG, I think from previous threads that you've been doing just that. Good luck, and glad to help if I can.
I do like being called Advent, Hugo - makes me imagine I'm ready for Christmas. As a chuch organist, just about: as regards the family shopping, not quite....
|
|
|
|
|
|
They should not fail in a year. Possibly poor quality parts. I suggest you have a look and make sure "both bottom arm bushes split". Drive along to another garage and have them stick it up on a ramp and have a look. You could even go to Kwik fit or similar and ask for a free exhaust check and have a look while it?s up in the air.
I too have still not found a permanent job since graduation this summer. Currently temping. Struggling to decide what I want to do. Currently reduced to considering anything that is not just filing.
|
|
|
|
BTW if the Polo does need new wishbones again i would stick the car throuh an auction, sold as seen. Its not worth doing at the rate you will end up paying. Get some money back on it while you still can.
|
|
|
I'm gutted, and don't understand how the first set lasted 7 years, and the replacement set didn't even make it to 2.
>>
maybe the replacements were not oem parts or maybe they were fitted incorrectly.
and I'm so crap I haven't even managed to get a proper job yet after graduating.
>>
i remember that advice has been given to you on this subject previously.
but maybe a rethink is called for as to the field you are restriciting your search to.
or have i been misled by the claims made by gordy brown and tony bliar about the strongest economy for centuries and the best employment statistics to match; and their belief that we need even more graduates?
surely these two very clever people running britain cannot be wrong ?
sorry, but you should really have gone for that job that included the perk of a company car. if you don't try, you don't get.
|
Perhaps it's possible to reduce the cost by shopping round a bit. Perhaps you can obtain some recommendations for an independent garage in your area. £270 is a lot for a couple of bushes - unless they are v. difficult to fit - which I doubt. VWs are usually good cars to work on.
While some have advocated getting rid of your Polo, it will be easier and you will get more money for it if you do so with 12 month's MOT.
number_cruncher
|
|
|
PG,
Sounds like you are in same position my daughter was a couple of years ago - depressed and despairing of finding "the job" after 6 months of fruitless applications, but she succeeded and started in the January and loves it and is making loads of money!
Don't worry about Dad' offer - that's what Dads are for and after the "kids" have flit the nest and are "all grown up" it's quite nice that "kids" still need you!! If you asked, I bet Dad would probably help you finance a "new" car - he'd probably much rather you were driving around in something safer and more reliable - parents want the best for their kids you know! And it is Christmas! Ask him.
|
PG. Yr mistake here was taking Polo to VW outlet. Still is not too late. Phone Charter Street Garage, Charter St. Brierley Hill
(speak to Dave and arrange to take it in when they can fit you in)
You can rest assured you will not be ripped off. The job will be done to the highest standards at a reasonable price. Its a MOT Station and will also test Polo for you.
(no connection with Charter Street - Just satisfied customer over many years along with lots of other people.) Skilled mechanics with ethics and scruples. What more do you need.
All the best with finding employment. To add my twopennorth to the other advice on this subject. I should leave it now until after the holidays. No one will really want to know till 4th Jan.05
|
It really is time this car was moved on. This is the problem with VW's - they are not as reliable as the reputation might say - they are merely perceived to be reliable. This results in quite ridiculous prices to buy the damn things, and then it gets expensive when (usually when) they break down.
Get shot and get something that actually is reliable, rather than something people seem to think is reliable.
You don't seem like the sort to have a large car, so what about a Toyota Yaris?
|
|
|
Thanks Phil. I'd sorted something out by the time I'd read this but have written it down for future reference for the MOT (am presuming the free retest at VW wont apply as I'm having the work done somewhere else).
|
|
|
|
|
|
PG, it's not the end of the world.
If you love Polo as much as your posts imply, get him fixed. The suggestion of taking him back to the garage your dad uses is worth following up.
You are NOT crap - you just haven't found the job that's worth your while yet. You wouldn't expect to find the perfect man in 6 months so why should a job be any different? Keep looking, talk to lots of agencies and congratulate yourself on all the grotty jobs you have survived since graduating. They are all experience and will show any prospective employer that you are hard-working and willing.
Take up Dad's offer. It will make him happy, it will make you happy. I'm quite a bit older than you but still do it. Parents are for life, not just the first eighteen years.
|
Morning all, and thank you! I did read some replies last night but after a vat of white wine and a crate of ice cream it probably was best I didn't reply. I'm genuinely touched by all your replies. The trouble with living with the PassatDriver is that he's forgotten what it's like to actually own a car - the passat coughs and HSBC get their wallets out to get it fixed.
I'm not taking Polo back to VW to get him fixed. I had a flash of inspiration last night and remembered a leaflet I had had put on my car in the summer advertising an independent VW specialist, and I'd kept. I threw it out at the weekend as I was clearing out the car, but remembered the name and called them this morning. Spoke to the owner and he was absolutely lovely.
He said it's unusual for the parts to go after less than 2 years so they're going to look carefully and check they actually have gone, and then it will be considerably less than VW to fix, but still done with genuine VW parts. He originally said he couldn't fit me in til after Christmas (but assured me the car would be ok to drive carefully til then), but phoned me back and said they've had a shuffle round and I can be their last customer before Christmas tomorrow. Don't know if I'm allowed to name them but if I am I will post a glowing reccomendation tomorrow when Polo is home safe and well.
I'm not getting rid of Polo while he is still going so well (apart from this glitch!). Other makes and other cars of his age (which is what I could afford if I sold him) just aren't as smart or solid. I've always thought the only reason to change a car was because you had spare money and could afford something better. I don't, and I can't.
Thanks for all the job related advice too. I hadn't realised how much it was getting to me until everything else went pear shaped. I am temping, and have even worked for nothing in the job I want to do for a year, but it's a job a lot of other people want to do too! I do really feel like I need to find "the job" because I was late going to uni and don't want to waste time doing another job that doesn't relate to one I want to do while other people my age are buying houses and having careers instead of just jobs. This has led me to turn down a few things I've been offerred because they weren't "right". No regrets - I just wish the right thing would hurry up! Something will happen in 2005 I'm sure.
Anyway, before this gets all non-motoring related, I'm going to phone my dad. (Special thanks for my own personal carol!)
PG.. feeling much more positive and all Christmassy and glowy.
|
Morning PG. Of course you may name the garage that is being so helpful. Share the good news.
Glad to hear you have your mojo back this morning, baby!
;o)
Uncle No Dosh.
|
Yes as ND says - please name that garage when you're in a position to do so. We could do with a list of good specialist marque independents couldn't we:)
It sounds like you're doing the right thing about finding a job and managing yourself in the mean time.
But don't assume all is going well for every other recent graduate in the world and not for you. Your situation is by no means unique, but you are! Just remember that;)
Some graduates take years before they establish themselves in a career or even find the job that suits them. I know I've seen that got the T shirt etc, and look at me now - Honours degree and MSc in manufacturing related subjects and I'm running my own business in property repairs!
One philosopher said: Find a job you enjoy and never work a day in your life! I don't feel I'm working but the punters never have any problems when it comes to payment.
In 5 years time you'll be Mark's boss. Give him stick when you are:))
Hugo
|
".........I know I've seen that got the T shirt etc, and look at me now - Honours degree and MSc in manufacturing related subjects and I'm running my own business in property repairs!.........."
And I got the degree in Economics and business and ended up in manufacturing!
|
My heart bleeds for you - no really it does!
H
|
|
|
|
>>In 5 years time you'll be Mark's boss.
Somehow I doubt it.
In 5 years time I shall neither be working nor living in this country.
|
|
Hi, If you do change your Polo then a Fiesta might not be a good idea, "FiestaGirl" has very different connotations!
|
|
Don't bother getting an Escort either then!
|
|
Ha ha, should have though of "Escort" before coming up with FiestaGirl. Ever heard of the Ford Razzle ......
|
|
|
|
Honours degree and MSc in manufacturing related subjects and I'm running my own business in property repairs!
Above + an MBA - ran away from the recession and dying manufacturing industry to be an Operations Manager for a big Chip Designer
|
Is that McCains Ajit?
Where's that coat?
|
Morning all again... Polo is fixed, to the tune of £140.
The place is quite appropriately called VW Rescue in Gornal, near Dudley, West Mids. Phone number 01384 237900, now on first name terms with the owner, Steve, who is lovely and dealt expertly with a Pologirl in distress. He's even just done himself out of some future work by telling me that the front bushes are so easy to fit he could show me how to do them myself. Oh there's a website too - vwrescue.co.uk.
Now for the technical bit (so apologies if I get it wrong!). He said that when they got the car up on the ramps it was obvious that Polo has in fact never had new wishbones, just new top bushes. They have now replaced both the wishbones and bottom bushes, but I'm sure that the garage last year said they'd done the wishbones too, and charged for it. One for Dad to sort out I think!
Now I just have to get him retested, but that can wait til after Christmas!
|
Yay!
::waves small flag::
Noice one PG (as they say in Dudley).
|
You must have been to the upper class part of Dudley No Do$h, I think it would go something like this in all the other parts:
Yam err got thou car fixed then Polo girl,yaw should be alrite from now on, are.
|
Carl_a - Oi think yow meen as ooppa classs bit o Dudlay. Are.
Apper Clarss Part? Oi dain't erd ani posh-like torque back wen oi woz thar - back wen I woz a babbi that woz, mind.
|
|
"Now I just have to get him retested, but that can wait til after Christmas! "
Your poor Dad! What sort of tests do you have in mind for him PG?
;-)
|
"Now I just have to get him retested, but that can wait til after Christmas! " Your poor Dad! What sort of tests do you have in mind for him PG? ;-)
>>
I hadn't thought yet! ;) Knowing him it will involve consumption of pasties and bertie bassetts allsorts. Or maybe an "I'm not asleep in the chair again, I'm just resting my eyes" competition?
|
Very glad to hear that PG. Well what do you know - I wasn't even being sarcastic!
Great it's all sorted.
--
Adam
|
Hate to say I told you so...
|
|
|
|
No, it's the big chip "inside" your computer not your stomach !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
