5 days to go until we depart to Mongolia on our not-so-trusty-steeds and we’ve had a HELL of a day.<\/p>\n
James and Charlie’s micra is sat outside; raised suspension, sump guard, radiator grille, back seats taken out… ready to go. Jonty and Stuart’s micra, however, is not looking so ready.<\/p>\n
A short history of this car;<\/p>\n
– We bought it 6 months ago from a chap called PETER TURTON from GT AUTOTRADE SALES (his own dealership) in BIRMINGHAM.
\n– When we bought it we asked Pete if there was anything wrong with the car and he said “no”; so we handed over \u00a3750 cash.
\n– You can already see where this is going… 10 miles down the road I see Stuart in my rear-view mirror looking seriously disturbed, with steam pouring from the bonnet. The head gasket is blown.
\n– After a lot of cuffufle we left the micra with some relatives in Birmingham so that Pete could take a look and refund or repair the car.
\n– 2 months passed.. and pete never showed. We called him every day and the excuses he came up with became more and more… excuses. (I quote; “Some bloke’s just gone up me arse when I was on my way to see the car.”.. I hope he’s talking about a car accident.)
\n– We went to pete’s door to pick up a cheque for \u00a3500.
\n– We cashed it.
\n– We got it back with “withheld by drawer” stamped on it. Pete says his wife’s handbag got stolen so they had to stop all the cheques. Hmmm. Pete said he’s bank transfer it.
\n– 2 weeks later \u00a350 arrives in my account.. “Oh, I must have left a 0 off”.
\n– We’re still waiting for the remaining \u00a3450.<\/p>\n
So today we were expecting to finally get a working micra back from the garage who’s been repairing the head gasket, but it’s still overheating – and doesn’t look like it’s going to be worth fixing \/ we dont have enough time to fix it.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow we drive up to Milton Keanes to pick up a new Micra; provided the bloke selling it doesn’t smell like a fisherman. Watch this space.<\/p>\n