minijay

If I get my Lupo back, hopefully this problem will be rectified as the fuel consumption was ridiculous!!

Got repair estimate from VW... entire new gearbox + fitment = £2,000 (est)... effectively, cars a write off, as its valued at £1,500

I'm going to see what Volkswagen say, they start making calls to CarCraft again. I've drafted a letter up, would someone mind drafting over it? Letting me know what to add/ what to take out etc. The bits that are highlighted red are bits that Im not sure of, or bits that dont apply(just yet). But I'm preparing for the worst. Green bits are there for your info

Recieved a call from a 'manager' at CarCraft this morning saying that, because I've done over 3,000 miles since purchase, it has nothing to do with them anymore, so my only hope now is the NAC, which is the company providing my extended warranty. Just phoned VW and they said the cars awaiting someone to have a look at it, then when they know whats wrong... theyre going to call me back. Makes me laugh, Im sure the 1st time I called about the warning light and gearbox whine, I'd done under 3,000 miles, but because I had to call back 5 times after recieving no call back each time, I went over the 3,000 mile limit. People could argue that I shouldn't have driven the car til it got serviced but... I didn't know it would come to this. The manager I spoke to at CarCraft also said that if I can get a report from either RAC, or VW, saying the problem was there before I took ownership of the vehicle, then they'll 'look into it'. But 'looking into something' has little meaning these days.

Thanks alot... going to give them a call tomorrow to see whats going on, if Im not happy with what they tell me, which I probably wont be, then the battle will begin. Who knows, I might be lucky and they might stick to their word and pay for everything.

I'm going to try all this, thanks for the advice. If they'd pay for the repairs (which a manager my neighbour just spoke to said they would because its covered by the guarantee, even though I was told earlier it wasnt covered because I'd exceeded the 3,000 mile limit), then I'd keep the car because when it does work, its great. I'd take a loan from the bank, pay off the finance, which is with GE Money (Not Barclays as someone mentioned), and then everything will be fine (ish). But right now, its just unnecessary hassle. They're awaiting diagnosis of the problem, which, if down to mechanical failure, is covered. However, if the fault is down to wear & tear (which I would deserve a medal for, managing to f**k up a gearbox in 2 months because, according to VW, this is impossible), then apparantely I am liable for every cost and every penny is coming from my pocket. Regardless of whether the cars covered or not, and regardless of who pays, I'm still going to the trading standards for the sheer headache and the fact that I'm paying for a car... that is unfit (at the moment) for the road. Thanks alot to everyone for their help and advice, and although some of you are apoligising for being negative (which you actually arent!!)... I appreciate it all none-the-less. I'll keep you updated on how things go.

In my defence, when buying a 1st car, these are things that must be experienced to be learnt from. The way in which Im going to pay the car off is to take out a loan and pay it off... then pay the bank back, works out cheaper that way. Had the car towed to Alan Day Volkswagen On the North Circ, and they said it may or may not be covered by the warranty, depending on whats wrong with the differential... they also gave an estimate of £1,600 if it needs replacing. In the smallprint of the warranty, it states that they only pay up to £1,295, anything above, I have to pay for... lord almighty. What do I do!?!?!?!?

20.9% I think, I'd have to check the paperwork which is at home, I'm sure it's around that mark though. I'm going to call up tomorrow... I'll let you all know how I get on. Thanks for all your help and advice. Everyones telling me to get a different car but I just want my Lupo to work!!!

The form the RAC gave me states "Recovered customer to home address as vehicle is unsafe to drive. Suspect bearings in differential collapsed. Requires further investigation". I've been wanting to take it to a garage for ages, but I was told that it would invalidate my 3yr warranty (which I paid £1,400 for), and after having to call 5 times to book a service, being told "we'll call you back", and recieving no call, I finally got a date in the Enfield branch on the 5th March, which I'm going to try and get brought forward, and have the RAC tow the car there. Theres no way I can give the car back and end the finance is there? It's so much hassle, I had to have an argument with them yesterday when I took it back to ask them to fit 2 headlight bulbs, as BOTH headlights had blown, and they said its not their problem as I bought it from the Lakeside branch (I was in Enfield), and I'd have to book it in there... but they always take up to a week, so Im supposed to risk 3 points on my license for not a faulty headlight, but NO headlights, just because they cant be bothered to fit them? Luckily one of the engineers saw/ heard the scene I was making and said he'd do it for me out back. Something so simple, yet so hard to get. Was very thankful to that human who worked there, much more responsive than the robots for staff they have.

What do you advise I do? Its a pain in the ass thinking about public transport again, although I get free travel working for London Transport n all...I'd just rather drive!

Some of you may remember I was complaining of my 1.0E's fuel consumption, and an irritating whining noise when in gear... which disappears when coasting in neutral. Driving home today from Chalk Farm, I hear a horrenedously loud whine and random banging noises from under the bonnet... although this time, only when Im not accelerating, as opposed to before, so I stopped... started driving again, and it begins to not accelerate properly, and I had to have a fight with the gearstick to get it into 2nd gear. So I stopped again and called the RAC, Euston Road at 7pm isnt a friendly place to break down so I decided against taking the chance. The RAC arrive in good time, and he declared it unsafe to drive, although he did let me drive it home, but followed me all the way. I've had this car, from CarCraft, since the 4th Jan 08, so just under 2 months, where do I stand? Am I liable to any costs? And am I alone in thinking this is ridiculous for a car that was supposedly *checked over* 7 weeks ago?

So the orange light could be connected to the fact that the fuel consumption of my little 1.0E matches that of an F16 fighter jet? Thank god its bookedin for a service now, I hope they manage to fix everything, because I cant deal with a 1.0 costing £10 a day in fuel for pointless run arounds!! (You know how it is when you have your 1st car, drive everywhere!)

Sorry but, I haven't got a handbook Thats why Im asking

Luckily I purchased a 3 year warranty with my car so, theyre booking it in for a service tomorrow. Til then Ill have to put up with 150 miles to a tank in a 1.0E, and an annoying scraping sound wherever I drive.

I don't know if this has been posted before, but could someone list what all the warning lights on the dash mean? Some are obvious but a few are confusing. (!)= Handbrake on etc. Thanks