My tale of woe and misfortune.

Hi, I’ve been reading everybody’s tales of woe and misfortune, and so decided to share my epic tail of hard times, unfortunate circumstances and venture into Supra ownership

Soon after passing my driving test I spent my student grant on a Astra SXi.

Ok.... so its no Mclaren F1, but to me it was a pretty good motor. During the next few weeks I did the normal boyracer/ricer stylie modifications including, painted caliper, bodykit, stereo with subs and amp’s that would make your nose bleed, Alloys, Graphics (tasteful), quad light and many more bit ‘n’ bobs.

Of course, now I’m a ‘Supra’ owner I can see the error or my early days,..... but at the time the car looked the nuts.

After a small disagreement with a red light and Ford Granada I bought a custom bonnet. A few days after fitting the bonnet the car was due for minor service work. With a water tight budget I decided to take the car to a local garage that I knew through a friend which promised a very reasonable rate. Five days later and on the morning I was due to pick the car up the garage owner called me to say if I had already taken the car.

“No” I replied! After a few seconds pause the garage owner said he call me back.

Yep,.. It had been stolen

The next town from ours is Loughborough and an area called Shelthorpe.

Shelthorpe which is twined with Baghdad and Bosnia is the warzone of the East Midlands. You can be sure that if your car has been nicked you can guarantee that a local moron has converted it into a barbeque.

As I drove by a house with steal shutters I saw what was left of my pride and joy. Hundreds of delinquent school kids were hauling car parts from the wreak to the back gardens of nearby houses.

The car was completely destroyed. No wheels / Bumper / Seats / CDs / Sun Glasses / Stereo / Amps / Subs / Sub box / Speakers / Wires / Fuse box / Parcel Shelf / Matts. The car had been joyridden and smashed but worse of all, drugs had been taken and the back seat was covered in used syringes.

Totally outnumbered, both me and my mate didn’t fancy trying to save the remains of the car from drugged up teenagers with baseball bats, so I called the cops and a tow truck. The police completely lost enthusiasm to help as soon as I told them it was located in the back garden of a house in Shelthorpe. Even the tow truck driver said he wanted to get his crowbar for self defence before pulling the car through a garden fence. The result of endless letters is: The garage denied responsibility and wouldn’t pay up. Even though I paid extra for a specialist equipment cover the insurance company only pained 30% of the value of the car and nothing towards the stereo as they thought the car was unroad worthy after the Ford Granada crash. Also, claimed the stereo equipment was also not covered because I couldn’t supply proof of ownership of the originals despite my records including colour photographs. The security cameras of the garage were not working and the security gate wasn’t locked. Despite this due to the cost of solicitors letters and court costs the case wasn’t worth fighting. Result: lost a car and little pay up.

Two years into my first job and I was looking at buying an FTO.

Nice looking car, but after I'd taken a minute to consider the other options I discover the "Supra mk4". No contest - Supra wins

I buy my current Supra from a "Fast response car - Policeman" who is totally genuine and helpful, so I enjoy the car for a few years with trouble free motoring.

Whilst showing off to a girl i'd pulled at a wedding I lose control on a roundabout and bump into a barrier. Opppps (very embarrassed). Despite the initial shock the damage wasn’t so bad. The car needed a new bumper, side panel, bonnet and two head lamps.

Next morning I take the car to Toyota. Problem is, because of work hours its difficult to get the car into the garage in normally opening times. I phone the garage to check its open and drive the car into the customer carpark. As I walk up to the reception desk I notice all the staff or engaged in a meeting and the doors are locked. Just as i’m about to turn around and go home an employee opens the door. I explain my cars here for a repair as requested earlier by telephone and hand over the keys. Next morning the garage phones me and says he wasn’t aware of damage to passenger door, control column and missing airbag when I first told him of the damage. Yep, airbag nicked to order and guess what! garage doesn’t pay up for the damage because Toyota wasn’t officially open to receive the car and I didn’t ask for a receipt after I handed over the keys. To make matters worse, the security cameras were switched off because of the meeting and, as before, due to the cost of solicitors letters and court costs the case wasn’t worth fighting for.

The final nail in the coffin was:

Thanks to the extortionate price of new Toyota parts from the crash and the added damage from the break-in the car was an insurance write-off!! I was totally gutted.

Apart from bodywork the car was mechanically fine. Letter after letter the insurance company finally decided to let me claim for two individually claims, thus preventing the car becoming a writeoff.

To present day: The same car is now looking better than ever and no problems. Anyway,.. thought Id just share my experiences with you all and prove that motoring is not plain sailing these days!

Enjoy your cars, cuz tomorrow you may not have um!

Oh my god.

I read the first bit too fast and imagined the supra stripped with needles in the back !

Man, you have had some baaad luck with bloody garages ! I hated leaving my supra out of site

At least its all good now

I think you should post a pic of your car ! (Ideally with you standing beside with a big grin ! )

Thanks Gordon, Can't honestly say I'd have a Supra now if the thieving tw*ts hadn't nicked my Astra in the first place.....so, happy ending.....abart from I'm totally skint after paying high insurance and loan repayments

http://www.david.c.c.btinternet.co.uk/Resources/supra1.jpeg

http://www.david.c.c.btinternet.co.uk/Resources/supra8.jpeg

More pictures here:

http://www.david.c.c.btinternet.co.uk/supragallery.html

good grief.. Shelthorpe... I'll remember that name!

I agree, cars and garages are a pain in the arse!

You'd think that a main dealer would put their hands up to it!!

Originally posted by Supragal

I agree, cars and garages are a pain in the arse!

Sure are Rosie

I've been reading about your problems with garages/car.

Hows the Bonnet flex?

Was is over exaggerated by the garage?

Ooo - now that is sexy!

I've got to myself some of those rear facelift lights.

Originally posted by Clarkey_Sparkey

Ooo - now that is sexy!

I've got to myself some of those rear facelift lights.

Erm, that's good, but they ain't facelift rear lights.

Ben..