2 weeks until trade in and my car is FU**ED

[owen lcr]

Was on my way home today, pulled out to pass someone sitting at 40mph, looked behind me and there was masses of smoke... i dont know what it can be but doesnt sound like it is going to be cheap...

any ideas what i can do

cheers

 

[RobM]

any ideas what i can do

Get it to a garage ASAP.

We can speculate on this forum all day long as to what the problem is, but it could be any number of things. Get it into a garage so it can be checked over.

Oh... and pray!

 

[owen lcr]

in know but i just can bear to spend money on a car that isnt going to be mine in 2 weeks...

 

[RobM]

But until you know what the problem is, you wont know how much it's going to cost or even if you'll be able to sell it. It could be something very simple and cheap to fix... it could be far more serious. This forum can only tell you a list of potential problems, it can't fix the car for you.

 

[daveyonthemove]

in know but i just can bear to spend money on a car that isnt going to be mine in 2 weeks...

Leave it like that and it will be yours for longer than 2 more weeks.
No dealer will take a knackered car off your hands mate.

 

[Cupraloon]

Thats a real sh**ter isn't it....

Something similar happened to me last year, when i was 2 days away from part exing my old vtec, for my lc, I pity the garage that took it in....

instead of spending a sh*t load of money on a remedy it might be worth speaking to the garage where you buying the new one and see what they say, it'll be cheaper for them to rectify the fault than you, if they can adjust your part ex value, to account for the remedial work, just see what they can come up with.

It's worth a try,

 

[owen lcr]

yeah sounds good. might go for that and give them a phone tomorrow

cheers lads

 

[RobM]

Their first question is going to be "what's wrong with the car?"

What are you going to say to that?

 

[The MoffMeister]

why not try some self diagnosis?? surely someone near you has vag com or mechainical experience! then with resluts post the question on here and go from there that is what i would do

 

[owen lcr]

well my mate who know alot about cars i coming round to have a look tomorrow, over the phone he says it sounds most likely to be the turbo, if so i can just fit a second hand turbo... if its not that then i will need to put it into a garage but that is going to be my last resort as £45 an hour is a no from me... so if it is obviously the turbo i can do it myself if not it looks like it will be off to the garage as i dont want to try fitting a different turbo incase it is something else..

 

[smoothuk]

Gutting mate, i had this happen a couple of times in my old puntoGT and everytime it was the turbo. Best of luck fixing it. Just out of interest, there wasnt a funny metal ting/pinging noise at the same time was there??

 

[chughes163]

To be honest having worked in the trade i would just risk it....even make out that it happened that morning on the way down if you feel the need to 'spill the beans'!

Chances are the garage your trading it in with can fix it cheaper than you can anyway so if they do sus it you could probably do a deal.

If its a franchised dealer, they will have your new car taxed and registered in your name so they wont want to see you walk. Also, the sales team will be under pressure to get the car out for 'the month end' for commissions/sales figures - i.e. the new vehicle must physically be off site and funds cleared - most dealerships actually have auditors ensuring this and it was a complete pain in the backside.

The most probable thing that will happen when you trade it is they may come out and look at the car briefly, but its doubtful they will give it a test drive.

 

[owen lcr]

ok, well there was no obvious noise of the turbo actually failing, i just looked in my rear view mirror and all i could see was both sides of the road filled with thick gray/black smoke which was a bit embarrising. i dont really want to screw the gargage i am buying my new seat from as they have been good to me so far... but on the other hand i dont want to spend £££ on a car that i am never going to see again??? i have to choices~

"look after number 1"

"would i like a car like this to be sold to me" (NO)

 

[chughes163]

my gut feeling is just 'play dumb'

 

[owen lcr]

sorely tempted and thanks for your advice... i will just need to see how many other people would do the same

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN MY SHOES

play dumb
get it fixed

cheers folks

 

[jedi knight]

Are you not a member of any breakdown scheme, if so ring them up and get someone to look at the car.

 

[daveyonthemove]

It's not as easy as that though!
Say you decide to play dumb and drive it down there on the day of trade-in, and the salesman is on the forecourt showing another customer a car when you pull up. Do you think he will notice your car running badly and causing lots of smoke?
Get it looked at and go from there. You may have to spend a little on it, but it's better than losing out on your new car and being stuck with one that doesn't run properly.

 

[owen lcr]

aww no another valid point. but the car only smokes when it is boosting i think...scared to try it again lol

 

[chughes163]

it could go like that - but if you go in the morning - ideally around opening time - most of them will be in a meeting/arranging handovers etc. i reckon you could risk it but only you can judge

 

[chriswilks]

i did it with my last car and the one b4 that!!my fiesta had different cams and whining transmission which i know went on it after it was sold.and my civic had the airbox drilled.nothing came of either.
its their job to make sure your car is ok let them do their job.cant remember any dealer test driving a car b4 theyve taken it as a part ex!!!!