DC's Motoring Diary
Chapter 11
	What Have I Done Again!

Like all the previous entries, I can't believe how time has flown by before I could update my Motoring Diary.  As you can see the name has changed to reflect that fact that for the first time in over four years I don't own an X1/9 (Shock, horror!!!!).

Well it happened like this.  E540 CGU was being used every day, well most days when it was not pouring with rain, and as planned the GF was the sunday best.  Then one day I noticed a local garage had an MR2 for sale so I decided to take a look.  Although like most cars, the first drive of the MR2 did not feel like I was made for it, the brakes worked, it started first time and had some gorgeous TSW Blade Alloys.  When after the usually haggleing, (X1/9's - rubbish MR2's it'll go next week for sure) money changed hand I was the proud owner of the dreaded X1/9 rival.

To be honest they are two different cars. The X1/9 is Italian Flair and Fragility and the MR2 Japanese Bland and reliability. But, for going back and for to work every day come rain or shine the MR2 wins hands down over the X1/9.

So a period of happiness descended into my motoring life until one Wednesday evening in late June I was returning home from my Son's house in the MR2 when almost on my doorstep a young used car salesman in a Fiat Seicento Sporting pulled straight out of a side road in front of me. I managed to swerve around most of him but he struck just about level with rear wheel inflicting about a £1,000 worth of damage.  The disturbing fact about this accident was not the accident itself, nor the speed of which the MR2 was put back to its former glory but what happens when you trust people.  All was long forgotten about this incident until I came to renew my insurance in February 2000.   It was then I found out that the third party had never reported the accident to his insurance company and even denied all knowledge of it.  I suspect the damaged Fiat Seicento sporting was put through the garages own repair shop and sold on to some unsuspecting buyer!  ( so if you own T919 JJW a yellow Fiat Seicento Sporting and you did'nt know it had been in an accident I suggest you get in touch we me.) I'm still in dispute with the Insurance company over this and will let you know the outcome in due course.

However, in April of this year I scored an own goal when driving to work one dark and damp morning.  For once the two sets of traffic lights on the M40/A46 round-about were in my favour.  Leaving the round-about I put my foot down only for the back end to break away and spin me onto the central reservation. Luckily there's no crash barrier there to stop you so I went about 10 yards into some bushes and shrubs this time denting the Front wing, door and my nice new rear wing.  There goes my No-claim bonus again!

Anyway, back to the X1/9 less story. January 2000 saw the now familiar battle to get the X1/9 MOT'ed (For you overseas readers the MOT is the UK's annual safety check for cars over 3 years old)  This year saw the GF fail on two things (although they did remark that the starter kept playing up). Firstly the headlamps were out of alignment and secondly the front wheels made contact with the body work on full lock.  Having completed only about 1000 miles since the previous years check I am still puzzled how these things go wrong without outside interference. Well I've known about the wheels catching the plastic inner wheel arches when reversing on full lock for some time some some pruning with a sharp knife and an extra self taper to pull the front edge close to the inner wing was the best I could do. I took it back next day willing to pay my mechanic friend money to sort out the lights.  Well he did in the end after much cursing and swearing  so in a fit a depression I put a advert on the web to sell the GF.  After a couple of half-hearted calls that lead nowhere I forgot all about it until a couple of months later some one enquired if it was till for sale.  Well to cut a long story short they came to see it, liked it and before I could change my mind thrust a bundle of £50's in my hand and drove off into the sunset.

So I just have the MR2 (and of course the Citroen estate) and a few thousand pounds burning a hole in my pocket. Now what can I buy next.......

Gone, but not forgotten!

  If you would like to read more of my diary of ownership click here

Keep returning to my site for future installments or send you comments to: derek.coombes@virgin.net

last update  15/07/00

Contact:

Mail : 26 Newton Close, Oakenshaw South, Redditch, Worcestershire, B98 7YR

Home Tel. : 01527 404365

Mobile Tel : 0860 326582

ICQ : 12261308

e-mail : derek.coombes@virgin.net

Return to Derek's Home Page here