My car... grrrrrr!

[ShrinkyLink]

Morrus, I totally feel your pain. There's nothing like unexpected car repairs to kick a large hole in your life. I sometimes think the accursed things wait until you're at your weakest before deciding to drop their transmissions on the highway.

In my case, last night I hear a whining sound from my 99 Chevy Cavalier. Take it to the garage, thinking it's just a loose belt. Nope--my AC clutch was gone. $488 later, I get my car back.

What with Christmas coming up and house repairs, I had to slam it on a credit card. I'm still paying off the last batch of car repairs on the cards--but what choice do you have? Like you, I need my car to work. Without it, I'm screwed.

For what it's worth, I would have done the same as you in terms of repairs. It just sounds like too much bad luck all at once.

 

[BOZ]

It was £600 for the first one. The second one would cost me just over £1000. And the car's only worth about £500.

I decided to go ahead with the first because I figured that spending that £600 on another car wouldn't put me in a better position.

yuck. we have spent more money to repair my wife's car than for what she originally bought it for, so i feel your pain.

 

[ssampier]

It's possible, but expensive. In the long run, it's not a viable option if I'm trying to save money to fix my car or get a new one.

Hmm, good point. I was just thinking for the short-term, trying to keep your job. I've never actually rented a car. My apoligies.

 

[Morrus]

Some good news - my dad will lend me his car for a week. That gives me some breathing room, at least!

 

[Davek]

How sticky are the regulations for repairs? Do you need to have a mechanic do the repair, or can you do it yourself?

If allowable, what I would do, is bypass the wiring loom temporarily, create a seperate circuit for the light with a manual toggle switch. If you can do it yourself then you would only be out the cost of some wire, a toggle switch and maybe the cost of a wiring diagram for your car (to help you find a source of power to splice into) and some labour. This should get you past the inspection, and give you time to accumulate the cash to fix it right.