Are certain people just doomed when it comes to cars?

[kayzee]

I'm doomed... but more on that in a second. My mum was telling one of her friends about my bad luck, and her friend instantly said "Oh I know, certain people just aren't meant to drive. My daughter's the same, never had a car last more a few months without going wrong".

So to my situation... I owned a four year old Corsa which on it's first MOT cost over £600 to get through (multiple sensors and exhaust problem, and there was no heating) a three year old Clio 182 (exhaust failed emissions, car often failed to turn on) an old skool CRX which to be fair was old and probably the most reliable car! But often failed to turn on as well, had no heating and the clutch went. A 206 GTi which I really liked but suffered from the randomly-switching-off-at-any-time problem (common fault, was on Watchdog, also the window switch broke). Bought a Punto GT & Renault 5 GT which were cheap and I knew would have problems but it would literally take too long to list them all. Most recently bought an Impreza which I went for reliability... only one previous owner from new, great condition, FSH etc. have now owned it a few months and already it's over-fueling, the EML has popped up a few times and the battery seems weak and needs replacing.

Now I know none of these are really that bad, but understand this... (apart from the 206) I've never owned one of these cars for more than one single year! All I want is one year's trouble free motoring and man I'd be so happy with that. Has anyone else had luck like me? I know you could say it's the type of cars I go for... that's what my mum thinks. But I'm 26 now and haven't even got an interest in modifications anymore, I'm not a chav driver I just want something which can excite me a bit!

Sorry for the ranting it's gone on longer than I thought...

[LuS1fer]

I've had well over 30 cars and every one has been reliable and maintained by me. OK, the R5 GT Turbo had a computer failure but that may have been caused by me too.

My daughter on the other hand has had her car spin off the road, run away, bashed, damaged, crunched to the point that while she works for the UK's biggest insurers, they won't insure her - some was her fault but a lot was just bad luck.

There again, after 30 years of accident free motoring, I had 3 minor incidents in as many months and immediately became public enemy number 1, insurers failing to take into account that things come in 3s and I'm now in the clear!!!

[Presuming Ed]

Your only answer is to invest in a Kia Ceed with 7 years warranty. It might not be fun but might help in being less doomed.

Of course you could just by an E39 M5 and bask in what it means to be a pistonhead. Poor and alone.

[magpie215]

Buy something made by nissan in the 1990s should get a years trouble free motoring.

I am currently on around 4 years of issue free motoring from a 98 micra just fuel it and replace consumables.

[phil_cardiff]

I think the missus is. 3 accidents in 3 months, including 2 people driving into the back of her within a week.

[braddo]

It sounds like a combination of bad luck and having bought cars which were not properly maintained before you bought them.

[Rovinghawk]

kayzee said:

often failed to turn on ...............randomly-switching-off-at-any-time...

The term 'switching on/off' suggests to me that you'd benefit from learning how the various parts of the car actually work. See if you can join an evening class along the lines of motor maintenance?

RH

[dylan0451]

as braddo said, sounds like every model you've bought has been at the bottom end of the market. that or you've bought them from the fast+furious brigade/pikeys etc.

it also sounds like you see every problem as a catastrophic failure - a mere emissions issue and car 'failing to turn on' was good enough reason to flog a 3 year old 182? understandable if you bought it for cat c money and it was a non runner or something, but otherwise, if you bought something straight in the middle of the market then just fix the issues!

[trickywoo]

kayzee said:

Most recently bought an Impreza which I went for reliability... the battery seems weak and needs replacing.

Maybe, but all Imprezas sound like the starter / battery is knackered. Have the battery properly tested before you junk it.

The issues you mention are ancient. IIRC Socrates said 'if its got tits or wheels it'll give you problems'.

[y2blade]

you bought a Vauxhall followed by a string of mainly French and Italian cars. (not including the CRX)

what did you expect?

Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 9th March 13:42

[Great Pretender]

Where do I sign?

[DannyVTS]

I'm kind of like this..

First car, did well, in 6 months it only failed me once, the coolant temp sensor became loose.
Second car, the aux belt snapped.
3rd car had more problems, drivers side headlight completely died, ended up needing work to the wiring loom. The immobiliser wouldn't de activate and the alarm would often go off for no reason at all.
4th car, leaking gearbox, leaking sunroof, rear axle went. But it was french
5th current car, gearbox went, alternator went, battery went, steering is knocking, track rod ends and drop links were shot.

Getting a Japenese or VAG car next

[y2blade]

DannyVTS said:

I'm kind of like this..

First car, did well, in 6 months it only failed me once, the coolant temp sensor became loose.
Second car, the aux belt snapped.
3rd car had more problems, drivers side headlight completely died, ended up needing work to the wiring loom. The immobiliser wouldn't de activate and the alarm would often go off for no reason at all.
4th car, leaking gearbox, leaking sunroof, rear axle went. But it was french
5th current car, gearbox went, alternator went, battery went, steering is knocking, track rod ends and drop links were shot.

what make and model where they all Danny?

[trickywoo]

DannyVTS said:

or VAG car next.

May the lord have mercy on your soul.

[Rude-boy]

y2blade said:

you bought a Vauxhall followed by a string of mainly French and Italian cars. (not including the CRX)

what did you expect?

My thoughts as well.

When I owned my Clio it was noticeable by me just how much the car deteriorated over the short time I had it. Now I realise that I drove it fairly swiftly but it was always maintained properly and my mechanical sympathy has been noted unless I am actually trying to act like an animal (never buy an ex hire car – ever). Still by the time I sold it on I was genuinely getting the feeling that bits were about to start dropping off and failing all over the shop.

French cars are like disposable pens. Great for a purpose but if you think you’ll own and use it for years before it needs throwing in the bin you are much deluded.

[kayzee]

Rovinghawk said:

he term 'switching on/off' suggests to me that you'd benefit from learning how the various parts of the car actually work. See if you can join an evening class along the lines of motor maintenance?

RH

That could be an idea but for instance with the Peugeot, there was no fix...

http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20080510225717/ht...

dylan0451 said:

it also sounds like you see every problem as a catastrophic failure - a mere emissions issue and car 'failing to turn on' was good enough reason to flog a 3 year old 182?

Not at all, I fixed this for under a hundred pounds in the end. However... it had the belt change coming up (£600+ from an indy with the FF's, far more from a Renault garage!) and the exhaust replacement from CAT back is around another grand. Stupid money to be spending.

I'm not the only one that's like this. My mate had had five cars written off in two years! Including someone crashing into his courtesy car (gotta laugh) and one catching fire whilst we were playing golf! It was some turd Max Power air filter that ignited...

[bigdods]

kayzee said:

I've never owned one of these cars for more than one single year!

Theres your problem. IME people sell cars just when 'something' needs doing. Usually its a big service, or a new battery, maybe tyres. So if you keep replacing cars you will just be picking up other peoples problems. Once you've got everything sorted (in the first year) you often then get many years of trouble free motoring.

I usually budget ~25% of the purchase price of any second hand car to cover 'things' that need fixing (always include a full service) it usually gets spent. But then I rarely spend more than £4k on a car.

[alfa pint]

kayzee said:

I'm doomed... but more on that in a second. My mum was telling one of her friends about my bad luck, and her friend instantly said "Oh I know, certain people just aren't meant to drive. My daughter's the same, never had a car last more a few months without going wrong".

So to my situation... I owned a four year old Corsa which on it's first MOT cost over £600 to get through (multiple sensors and exhaust problem, and there was no heating) a three year old Clio 182 (exhaust failed emissions, car often failed to turn on) an old skool CRX which to be fair was old and probably the most reliable car! But often failed to turn on as well, had no heating and the clutch went. A 206 GTi which I really liked but suffered from the randomly-switching-off-at-any-time problem (common fault, was on Watchdog, also the window switch broke). Bought a Punto GT & Renault 5 GT which were cheap and I knew would have problems but it would literally take too long to list them all. Most recently bought an Impreza which I went for reliability... only one previous owner from new, great condition, FSH etc. have now owned it a few months and already it's over-fueling, the EML has popped up a few times and the battery seems weak and needs replacing.

Now I know none of these are really that bad, but understand this... (apart from the 206) I've never owned one of these cars for more than one single year! All I want is one year's trouble free motoring and man I'd be so happy with that. Has anyone else had luck like me? I know you could say it's the type of cars I go for... that's what my mum thinks. But I'm 26 now and haven't even got an interest in modifications anymore, I'm not a chav driver I just want something which can excite me a bit!

Sorry for the ranting it's gone on longer than I thought...

You've bought the wrong cars, that's why! You said yourself the CRX was pretty reliable apart from the sheer age of the thing and costs associated with an old car and the French ones and a Corsa broke down. French cars of the ages you're on about are notoriously st. Every one of my mates that's bought a Renault or a Pug have had serious issues with reliability (and some of them laughed at me and my Alfa!)

Try VAG or Ford for your next purchase - good luck!

[The Wookie]

braddo said:

It sounds like a combination of bad luck and having bought cars which were either French, Italian or made by GM

EFA

[bloodfart]

Presuming Ed said:

Of course you could just by an E39 M5 and bask in what it means to be a pistonhead. Poor and alone.