Well it seems things are just going from bad to worse at the minute, not only has my freeview box broken and my house been flooded twice recently but my suspicions have been confirmed, the head gaskets gone on my Scoob and to top it all I had to renew my car insurance yesterday

Not only is the repair bill for the head gaskets and probable associated parts rather steep I have been advised that with the mileage on the car and the way it's gonna be driven it's quite likely the engine will require further expensive repairs in the next couple of years It seems therefore that a full rebuild would be the better option but this of course is much more expensive, added to which I reckon it's been on it's way out for a while so there is a high likelihood that just doing the gaskets might not be an option it might NEED the rebuild.

My current financial situation isn't exactly great what with the loan for the car and credit card bills so this has landed me in a real nightmare scenario.

So what are my options;

1. Sell the car - gonna be pretty tricky with knackered head gaskets really and if I sell it to someone who doesn't realise they're knackered I shouldn't imagine they'll be too impressed when they find out, don't need that kind of hassle. Added to which a quick look through Autotrader reveals that even if I did sell it I wouldn't even get enough to clear my credit cards and obviously I'd have no car

2. Part ex the car - obviously it's up to the dealer to properly check it so if they don't notice it's happy days but then I'd still need pay some money toward the replacement car, money I ain't got.

3. Consolidate all current debts - take out a nice new BIGGER loan and include all current debts and upcoming cost of repairs so I only have a single payment to make each month. This will however leave me with virtually bugger all money each week for things like, clothes, beer, extra petrol for club events etc.

Personally I'm swayed toward option 3, I get to keep not only a car but my Scoob which I've already invested a fair amount of money in and it will have a brand spanking new engine and clutch and lightened flywheel and ported and polished heads The only way I can really see this working though is if I get a 2nd part time job as the ongoing running costs of the Scoob and general desire to have some sort of life aren't realistic on the left overs from taking option 3 on my current salary alone.

I've been trying to decide what to do for about a week now and my head is really starting to hurt and the lack of sleep due to thinking about it all the time is starting to take it's toll so I've decided to ask for your opinions. Feel free to say what you really feel, I'm not easily offended (although I'm sure Sticky will try his best ) one way or another I have to make a decision about what to do.

ps. sorry for the long post

 

Sort yourself out and stop winging

That was the not easily offended reply, for comedy value only as i know this is serious mate.

Am so sorry mate, gutted for you, had my reliabilty issues recently but wont go on here.

None of your suggestions have too much of an happy ending or atleast win win.

option 3 seems the best other than the having to get a second job, too much work will eventually wear you down. but it does provide a car and cosolidation of debts, will put some thought into options mate but this is just my first thoughts.

Mick

 

really sorry to hear this Barry especially after last years insurance/theft trauma.

I know you love that car mate, but to be perfectly blunt, if its something that you are struggling to afford, then personally I'd get rid, and be honest about the gasket to who ever buys it. It really isnt worth getting deeper into debt over any car. Take a year out, buy a banger. Look at what happened to Sticky last year & he was still at more meets than me. The guys will welcome you no matter what you drive & we'll still be around in a years time when you can get a new motor.
Take the year out to try to clear some of the credit cards, then when you do come back it'll be less of a burden.

Probably not what you wanted to hear mate, but in my opinion its the best way to lift some of the financial weight, then come back fighting.

Cheers

Phil

 

What about re-mortgage ? I know you've not been in your house long, but it will have risen in value even in this short time. If you switch to a mortgage like Yorkshire Bank flexible payment one, your whole earnings come off the total value and your spending goes on it. As long as the spending doesn't outweigh the earning (which it appears it has upto now, and here's the hole in my plan) you can't fail. I bought my Scoob like this. Got house valued at £68k, owed £34k, arranged mortgage of £50k (allowing another £18k equity just in case the economy goes ****) and hey presto, £16k available to buy car All borrowed at base rate, which will always be cheaper than a loan, and much cheaper than CC's. My troubles started when a £145k house sprang into view

 

God as bad as Alan for in depth notices it must come with age,its up to you mate but good DAVE gives you some words of wisdom,we have all been here ask Dave,i had to sell my black sti to pay for the chippy then got a new one on finance!So good luck in what ever you deside on....
Cracking looking car

PS credit cards ive got them all ewh.

 

I can just see you and James propping up the bar on Thursday swearing about Subarus more than a Scotsman outside Kings Cross with a can of Tennants super

Seriously though I know all about cost at the moment

£900 trackday repairs, 4 new tyres today, next week sees the turn of full Service and MOT, few weeks later I've got Breakdown, Tracker and that cheapest of cheap things....one years insurance - which will still be over a grand. And the warranty runs out so if something big happens it could be a mare.

It's a fine balance do you want to be constantly funding the car that you love or do you want a few quid in your pocket and to be driving around in a mundane car. Guess you'll have to choose whatever turns out to be the lesser evil. Personally I've always said I'd never put myself in debt over a car and to be honest I probably wouldn't, but as I'm sure t'other Simon will tell you it's not easy to give the keys of your pride and joy and get a Smart car in return

 

Thanks for the replies guys, knew I could count on you lot for a bit of help

Mick only joking mate, yes there are a few plus points to option 3 but as you say it's not without it's downside, I look forward to hearing from you further

Phil, I hear what you are saying and to be honest I had pretty much dismissed selling after having a look on autotrader at the prices people are asking for them. It just doesn't seem like I would get enough money for it to make it worthwhile but now I'm not so sure having thought about it a bit more, anybody any idea how much I'd be likely to get for it if i sell it as is?? I know exactly what you mean about getting into more debt but I'm already in debt which selling the car won't get me out of and it seems as though I'd be worse off, i.e. still in debt AND no car

Dave, appreciate the idea unfortunately it's a no go, the mortgage on the new place is part of the problem really, less disposable income now we've moved

Martin, sorry loooks like this is another long post , appreciate the comment about the car though

Simon, yeah I reckon me and James could become sympathy buddies , driving around in a mundane car certainly isn't appealing, I think I would feel really resentful having to pay to run a car that was totally uninspiring.

People always tell you you only live once and to make the most of it which tempts me towards option 3 but if that means having to work 2 jobs to pay for the good bit, driving the scoob, is the sacrifice really worth it, albeit the sacrifice should only be short term
On the other hand if I sell I'll have more money to play with and to be able to go out and do stuff with but what would I do and wouldn't I always be wishing I could be going out in the Scoob
As I already have a loan which I can't clear in one go getting a bigger one over a longer period doesn't seem that daunting, so long as I can cover the repayments of course

Hmmm, looks like I've still got a bit of to do, time for another less night I spose

 

Could you not kidnap Ali?

Must agree with Phil mate. Take a year out (who knows it might be less than that) and get back on your feet.

It's true you only do live once but if you are a worrier like me there's no fun in living with the stress even with a car that you love in the garage. And I'd hate to say it even with your current bad luck you still never know whats around the corner..........................

I sincerely hope that you get sorted and whatever happens keep your chin up. If you do decide to sell and have a year out find a picture of the car you want and stick it near your computer. Daft as it sounds I find these small things a great motivator plus it gives me something to work towards and look forward to.

The very best of luck.

Rob

 

Well Barry, you are now offically more unlucky than me!

Feeling as low as I do at the moment I can only sympathise and truly hope that things turn around for you - soon!!

 

I was wondering if you had read this, looks like it'll be you, me and James propping up the bar in the FG tonight drowning our sorrows then, hic!

 

Well after MUCH manipulation of figures it is with great regret that I have decided to sell the car as it is , it's not been an easy decision (far from it) but at the end of the day the general running costs on their own would be too much of a struggle given my current financial situation.

If I had it fixed and then couldn't really afford to drive it, it'd drive me round the twist, plus there is always the possibility of something else going wrong and being landed with another big bill and the desire to do more mods would also be VERY hard to resist.

So it's farewell Scooby ownership and hello railcard, in fact I think it's farewell any car ownership quite honestly, I've NEVER had any luck with cars they've always ended up costing me a fortune and I think this is the final straw really. I mean if you ask around for the common big expensive failures a Scoob might suffer very few people will mention the head gaskets but mine has gone!!! The last car I had cost me over a grand in the 4 or 5 months I owned it and I'd only paid £2200 for it in the first place, I could go on but I think you get the picture.

I'd like to say I'll still be coming to the meets and runs etc but at this stage I'm really not too sure as I am concerned I may just find them very depressing not being properly involved, if you know what I mean but I'll see how it goes. The car isn't up for sale just yet need to sort a few things out to make it as irresistible as it can be given the engine is fooked so may be a couple of weeks and might need to ask a couple of you guys a favour or two to get it sorted

Anyway, sorry to dampen a bright sunny day with all this depressing talk, I'd like to take this opportunity though to say thanks for all the help, support and friendship I've received from everyone in the club up to now, it was DAMN good while it lasted

 

Good Luck with your future plans.

 

Barry. Sorry that it's come to this, but I'm sure you've agonised over every second.

I understand what you're saying regards the meets as I'm finding it hard without my car to get properly motivated... But you know it won't be the same without you and we don't want to loose you completely, so make sure you get along to the meets.. even if it as a passenger

 

Barry

Like I have already said on our pm, I am seriously gutted for you mate, even with a brave face on and all that I can relate to how disappointed you are, however, its not like the end of the world, it does give you an oppurtunity to get back on your feet, without the money pit known as an Impreza.

You know you have a lot of friends on here, and I am pretty sure I am not alone in saying if I can do anything to help you out I will try my best.

Speak to you soon mate

 

Sorry to hear this is the final outcome Barry With the mechanical gremlins you're obviously gonna take a hit selling it on but if it is the most sensible option then it is the right one. Take a year or two out and come back with a vengance when the bank manager is your friend again. I hope you will still show your face at meets as many of us count you as a true friend, if you need a taxi you only have to ask (although the easiest person to give you a lift will be a much more fun prospect very soon just a little lacking in seats ).

All the best. Are you and Geraldine coming for a curry tomorrow night

 

Sorry to hear that Barry, but I'm sure in the long run you'll be glad you did it. It's probably one of those decisions that you'd need to have taken the wrong choice to fully appreciate the benefits of making the right choice......if that makes any sense. I'll hope we'll still see you around fella.

 

As hard as it is Barry, I think you've made the right decision mate. Heres looking forward a year or 2 ,to seeing you wrapped in a shiny EVO

 

^ Oh yes. Let's outnumber the tractors.

...erm...soon!

Barry. Just want to echo what the rest have said. DO PLEASE keep in touch, and COME TO THE MEETS. If you need a lift to and from any, you only have to ask.

It might depress you for a few minutes, but a couple of Staropramertomkinsons and standing around Mick, Dazza, Al or any of the other comedy genii (Is that the correct plural of muppet, er, I mean genius?) and your woes will soon be forgotten.

At the end of the day you're a mate, and yer one of us, Scoob or no Scoob.

See ya SOON!

 

Nightmare! Really feel for you.

Keep in touch and keep coming to the meets/events.

Won't be long before you can get one again!!

 

After reading all that has happened to you I feel gutted for you even though we have never met as I am a newbie to WYIOC. Hope that one day soon you will be back in the fold mate.

 

easy pass your CCIE earn 70k+ problem solved...
get around my house and i'll give! you the training material!!!
think of more money making ideas!
other advise f*%^ it your only here once!

 

Still waiting for mine

Are you around tomorrow??

 

I remember when I first attended the meets, with the help of Phil and how friendly everyone was, sadly not long after my 1st Scoob was nicked and you were all there to support me then (even though you hardly knew me) just like you are now, what a bloody top bunch of people you all are, wrx300scooby welcome to the best god damn club around

Andy-C, thanks

Al, god bless ya

Mick, I'll be in touch

Dave, I wasn't intending to go for the curry but come to think of it I reckon it could be just what I need, Geraldine has plans I'm afraid, are you able to offer a lift?

Simon, amazingly I do actually know what you mean

Phil, nice idea mate but if I couldn't afford the scoob how the hell am I gonna afford an Evo

Sticky, let the comedy begin

Ian, told you I was more unlucky than you

Dazza, I'll be round Saturday

Shucks, you guys, it brings a to my eye

 

as you know mate, because of work I dont get to many meets, but if I can help in anyway I'm always on the end of the phone & I still believe you've made the right choicee.. "YOU WILL BE BACK"

 

Be 'round about 7pm

 

As you well know mate, the love of cars is what we all have in common, but what makes this club what it is, is friendship.

There will always be spare seats for all events and meets, and as you already knew and can gather from the above, there will always be one available.

and real men cry allegedly, just not the girly snotty sobbing kind

Speak soon mate

 

Perfect, you are a *


Phil, well you were right about the carpenter and plumber , will add you to my speed dial

 

Sad news that your gonna sell the car, but look on the bright side, no high costs, always at the shell garage, cheaper insurance, and you can sleep at night so no **** nicks the ride, like the others have said come to the meets and events,
how is the house running...?

 

Sorry to here your news,hopefully see you for a curry tonight

 

yes just had a 1/4 of my new van stickered at sticky's and now back gnome
while cleaning the unit and de-stickering a tranny.. the van type...