183 replies to this topic

[miniyellowmini]

Well done on getting your Mini back

[Mini Cheddars]

Heh thanks but I won't say I have it "back" until it's parked outside my home and all legal. Many £££ to go before then. Might even be able to get to Minispeed on Monday if I can talk one of the guys at work into finishing at 5pm. I'll be able to get my house key back then. Left it attached to my car keys.

[twink]

Good news!!

Pleased for you Cheddars :)

[MiniLuke]

It's good you have it back, but I hope you pay back the guy that helped you out before spending on the mini!

[Mini Cheddars]

I am sure I am not the only one who has been anxiously following this story wishing there was some way to help. I am so glad you got your Mini back. I know it is not the end of the story yet but with the determination you have shown I am sure it will end well.
Good Luck.

Glad I kept someone in suspense. Thanks for following.

It's good you have it back, but I hope you pay back the guy that helped you out before spending on the mini!

I told the guy I'd pay him back in two weeks, maximum three so that'll be fine.

What I plan to do is either pay the guy who lent me the money half one week and half the following week. The extra week I added just in case something unexpected happens.

Dreading the repair bill from Minispeed as well. Eep.

[Mini Cheddars]

Been quoted the cost of repair.

£700.

Just a few issues... this is off the top of my head.

Rear wheel bearings need replacing
Front wheel bearings need replacing
Drive flanges need replacing due to wheel bearings being welded to them. Or as good as.
Crack in flitch panel needs welding
Front tyres
Top engine steady needs cutting off and replacing (probably)
Exhaust manifold-gearbox clamp missing
Battery cable running under the car in dangerous proximity to exhaust
Rear cotton reels falling apart

The price includes parts minus the tyres - which are about £35-40.

Umm... Not sure what to do. I barely have £100 let alone £700 and need to pay my mum the rest of the rent and pay the person back who lent me £250.

I'm at a loss right now. Advice?

[leroy26]

m8 if u need a car getting anything decent for around 6-700 quid is tricky you could easily just buy another lemon!
i know its alot of money but it may be worth asking minispeed if they will let you pay in installments most good companys will if you let them know before the works done

[Mini Cheddars]

That's what I reckon. I could pay the £700 and then I should have a car that will require very little work prior to next years MOT. It's just a case if getting that £700 and working something out with the guys up at Minispeed.

I said I'd ring up tomorrow with a decision. If they're happy for me to pay them in instalments then I'm happy for them to proceed with the work. I reckon it could take about 6 weeks to build up that much money. After paying this £250 back and paying my mum the remaining £190 rent. Then £320 in 4 weeks time.

Just depends how accommodating Minispeed can be.

Edited by Mini Cheddars, 01 October 2012 - 05:39 PM.

[leroy26]

im sure itll be fine! just be prepaired that you may have to pay a little more by paying bit by bit!

like u said tho when its all fixed you should have a car thatll work for a couple o years!

oh and for gods sake get some tyres on it! there the second most important things after the brakes

[Mini Cheddars]

Well it won't go through the MOT without replacement tyres so that's a given, heh.

Unless another idea crops up soon then I'll go for the 6-week payment thing. If they disagree to that then I may have to sell the car or try and rent a garage - again.

[AVV IT]

As I mentioned before, what about getting yourself a Credit card, bank loan, overdraft etc? That tends to be how most of us struggle through when life presents us with bills for stuff that we haven't got a pile of cash lying around for. If you don't actually have a little nest egg put by to dip into in the event of emergencies, then its imperative that you have some sort of affordable borrowing facility for these sorts of situations. It's because people don't have these things, that the legal loan shark industry (sorry I meant pay day lending company's) have any customers to exploit in the first place.

[Mini Cheddars]

Well my credit history is dire so I would either get declined or have a tremendously high interest rate. I still have debt enforcement agencies chasing me. But that's another story...

I currently have a contract phone which will help with my credit history as well as the fresh insurance policy which would also help. I just know I won't get credit for £700 worth.

My overdraft is £400 but I'm almost always close to the limit. Which is something I was currently working on getting out of but this whole clamping episode occurred.

So I'm currently a bad/risky debtor. I hate it. I really do. But trying to fix it takes time as well as money.

[Noah]

Well my credit history is dire so I would either get declined or have a tremendously high interest rate. I still have debt enforcement agencies chasing me. But that's another story...

I currently have a contract phone which will help with my credit history as well as the fresh insurance policy which would also help. I just know I won't get credit for £700 worth.

My overdraft is £400 but I'm almost always close to the limit. Which is something I was currently working on getting out of but this whole clamping episode occurred.

So I'm currently a bad/risky debtor. I hate it. I really do. But trying to fix it takes time as well as money.

Unfortunately your in a catch 22 situation. Your damned if you do and your damned if you dont.

Being a student I am in the same sort of situation, I don't wan't a credit card, I was always taught by my Grandad if you can't afford something then you dont buy it.

Have you thought about trying to work extra hours or maybe a 2nd job? Any Builders, Brick Layers, Handy Men, Electricians you know. You'll get treated like **** unless you know them, its hard work, long hours but you'll get a bit extra money.

Good Luck To You, and if you ever want to chat or some help/advice PM me and I will be happy to help :)

[Mini Cheddars]

Agreed. I'm not even going to think about getting the money on credit. Just something that isn't really worth doing in the long run. Just good ol' fashioned saving up.

I don't really have the time for a second job. I work 8-5:45 most days. Leave for work at 6:30am. Get home around 7pm. In bed around 10:30. I'm working Saturdays as well to build up some dosh but I feel that's starting to affect my immune system. Working 52 hours a week (voluntarily. I'm on a 39hr contract) can start to take it out of you.

Thanks for the offer but I'll be alright until I speak to the garage tomorrow. See what they say or suggest.