Post by pandamonium on May 14, 2009 4:46:28 GMT
Decided to trundle over the the Ace cafe after work yesterday.
First big trip for the Avenger (That I already dislike!)
Mega traffic on th north circular meant it took nearly 2 hours to do a 55min trip.
The car was perfect, all the way, and didn't even come close to overheating.
Slight clutch judder and an incessant whine from the thrust bearing, but overall, great.
Then, on the sliproad heading off to the Ace, the clutch started to get closer to the floor. Then at the top, I noticed smoke appearing from the front of the car and a funny smell. Also the rev counter started dancing around strangely. When I went to pull away, the car snatched forward, and I realised it was a clutch problem. I managed to get within 50 yards of the Ace then the clutch pedal made friends with the floor. Darn. Fortunately some friendly people helped push the car the remaining distance.
I telephoned the RAC, who said they'd be at least a couple of hours. So I settled in for a long wait.
Meanwhile, I started to develop a stinking headache.
The Rac van arrived, only to tell me that I could not be recovered home as I was only covered for up to 10 miles! I wasn't best pleased as it was already late. Why couldn't the person on the phone 2hrs ago have told me that?
Unfortunately the only option they could offer me was a tow home that would set me back £200.
You can imagine how bad my headache was by this time.
Anyway, upon considering my options, I decided I had no choice but to accept their theivery.
Of course, the chap who turned up in the van, wouldn't tow me that distance, so I had to wait for a recovery truck.
The recovery truck turned up later, and loaded the car on.
I have never seen such an irate, impatient and positively dangerous driver! Tooting his horn at every body, getting peed off that the truck was limited to 55mph, and generally driving like a prat.
Oh, and talking absolute sh*te all the way back.
I arrived home at midnight, tired, aching and pi$$ed off.
On a positive note - my wife was amazing, when I apologised for everything, she said 'What are you apologising for - all cars break down'
And when I arrived home, she had waited up for me and met me with a hug and a cuppa. Smile
Sorry for the negative post, I just wanted to vent!
First big trip for the Avenger (That I already dislike!)
Mega traffic on th north circular meant it took nearly 2 hours to do a 55min trip.
The car was perfect, all the way, and didn't even come close to overheating.
Slight clutch judder and an incessant whine from the thrust bearing, but overall, great.
Then, on the sliproad heading off to the Ace, the clutch started to get closer to the floor. Then at the top, I noticed smoke appearing from the front of the car and a funny smell. Also the rev counter started dancing around strangely. When I went to pull away, the car snatched forward, and I realised it was a clutch problem. I managed to get within 50 yards of the Ace then the clutch pedal made friends with the floor. Darn. Fortunately some friendly people helped push the car the remaining distance.
I telephoned the RAC, who said they'd be at least a couple of hours. So I settled in for a long wait.
Meanwhile, I started to develop a stinking headache.
The Rac van arrived, only to tell me that I could not be recovered home as I was only covered for up to 10 miles! I wasn't best pleased as it was already late. Why couldn't the person on the phone 2hrs ago have told me that?
Unfortunately the only option they could offer me was a tow home that would set me back £200.
You can imagine how bad my headache was by this time.
Anyway, upon considering my options, I decided I had no choice but to accept their theivery.
Of course, the chap who turned up in the van, wouldn't tow me that distance, so I had to wait for a recovery truck.
The recovery truck turned up later, and loaded the car on.
I have never seen such an irate, impatient and positively dangerous driver! Tooting his horn at every body, getting peed off that the truck was limited to 55mph, and generally driving like a prat.
Oh, and talking absolute sh*te all the way back.
I arrived home at midnight, tired, aching and pi$$ed off.
On a positive note - my wife was amazing, when I apologised for everything, she said 'What are you apologising for - all cars break down'
And when I arrived home, she had waited up for me and met me with a hug and a cuppa. Smile
Sorry for the negative post, I just wanted to vent!
