Showing posts with label Galaxy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galaxy. Show all posts
Tuesday, 11 March 2008
Further Frustration! 17.10.07
AOL seems to be suffering from disappearing posts, the post I left yesterday and the message left on a previous post mysteriously vanished. My post yesterday was about my frustration with my car. As most readers will know by now my Ford Galaxy is the curse of my life. It is only four years old but in that time I have practically rebuilt it, in fact I have almost spent the equivalent of the purchase price on repairs to the car. This time it was at the garage because of a horrible vibrating noise when making sharp turns (especially when reversing on to the drive). Having already spent a fortune replacing everything related to the power steering, I was disappointed that the problem still persisted. On close investigation the garage found a problem with the only original bit of the drive shaft, as well as several other problems. After a week at the garage the drive shaft was done and the car should have been ready to collect on Monday, but a rusted bolt got stuck half in and half out and it had gone smooth so that the allen key could not grasp it. It was in such an awkward position and so badly designed that everyone was stumped; after sleeping on the problem the mechanic felt a drastic, destructive and dangerous solution seemed the only way forward and by the end of Tuesday the car was finally ready. I was full of hope and felt sure that after this much time and expense (it cost £700 this time) the car would be perfect. I drove home, reversed on to the drive and there was the same horrible noise, every bit as bad as before. I feel totally defeated by it.
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Responding to Richard 18.09.2007
In response to my last post Richard wrote
I reckon you must have a bad one 'cos I've had a few Fords in my time and they've all done me proud. I currently drive a three-year old 2.0 ltr Mondeo automatic and it's great. It's my second Ford on the trot; my previous one was a ten-year old Mondeo auto and that, while being a bit long in the tooth, was just as good. Unless it's a Galaxy thing you're suffering from; I've never owned one of those so I can't really comment on them.
Richard you are going to have to send me a photo because over time I have conjured up a rather worrying image of you, and your very odd opinions about cars just reinforce that image. First you stick up for the dreaded Volvo, then you eulogise about the Ford Mondeo! We had a Mondeo a few years ago and I hated it with a passion, in particular I strongly objected to the seat controls, it was without doubt the worse car we ever had - except the Freelander which turned up it's toes within the warranty period! Just to cement this troublesome image in my mind you have said that you drive an automatic - how adventurous! I imagine that you must be nearer 60 than 50 and rather like Martin from Ever Decreasing Circles. Possibly too boring to have had a mid life crisis, but you keep people guessing because there is just a vague possibility that this whole thing is all irony and somewhere beneath that boring facade there is a sense of humour ready to burst out.
I reckon you must have a bad one 'cos I've had a few Fords in my time and they've all done me proud. I currently drive a three-year old 2.0 ltr Mondeo automatic and it's great. It's my second Ford on the trot; my previous one was a ten-year old Mondeo auto and that, while being a bit long in the tooth, was just as good. Unless it's a Galaxy thing you're suffering from; I've never owned one of those so I can't really comment on them.
Richard you are going to have to send me a photo because over time I have conjured up a rather worrying image of you, and your very odd opinions about cars just reinforce that image. First you stick up for the dreaded Volvo, then you eulogise about the Ford Mondeo! We had a Mondeo a few years ago and I hated it with a passion, in particular I strongly objected to the seat controls, it was without doubt the worse car we ever had - except the Freelander which turned up it's toes within the warranty period! Just to cement this troublesome image in my mind you have said that you drive an automatic - how adventurous! I imagine that you must be nearer 60 than 50 and rather like Martin from Ever Decreasing Circles. Possibly too boring to have had a mid life crisis, but you keep people guessing because there is just a vague possibility that this whole thing is all irony and somewhere beneath that boring facade there is a sense of humour ready to burst out.
Crazy Ideas 18.09.2007
As if my previous entry about coping with Robbie in retirement wasn't enough for me to worry about, I now have something else to cope with. One of his colleagues has been putting silly ideas into his head. He suggested that Robbie should buy an old station to live in so that all his railway junk could be displayed in the right setting. Robbie is more than capable of thinking up his own crazy ideas, he doesn't need any help! When we were in Norfolk he spotted an old station building in an estate agent's window, thankfully the magic words 'sale agreed' were emblazoned across the picture. To me it looked like a dilapidated old shed, but it cost almost as much as the value of our house! That really isn't my vision of the future, but from the sparkle in his eyes when he was talking about it, I suspect it is Robbie's idea of heaven.
Now from one disturbing thought to another, sadly I have to mention the 'F' word yet again. Ford, I detest Ford! Last week I had the wiper blade stolen from my Galaxy. Frustrating, but not the end of the world - or so you would have thought. We drove to Halfords to get a replacement and stay legal, but the wipers that claimed to fit didn't, typical! Next I contacted my garage and he arranged to have some wipers by the following day (Friday), I popped in to have the wiper fitted and these were also the wrong fitting! I waited while the garage man phoned several suppliers and eventually after providing my full registration number and loads of other info he found the right blades. They were delivered by courier later in the day and I had to go back again to have the blade fitted. Just another device by Ford to complicate what should be simple and squeeze extra money out of the poor fools who drive their cars.
By Sunday the car had a warning message saying 'Alternator Workshop' and as the car has had a history of battery charge problems it was booked in to have the problem checked. By Monday it had developed another fault which I feel sure must be clutch related so I am feeling totally frustrated. I dread to think how much this little lot is going to cost!
Now from one disturbing thought to another, sadly I have to mention the 'F' word yet again. Ford, I detest Ford! Last week I had the wiper blade stolen from my Galaxy. Frustrating, but not the end of the world - or so you would have thought. We drove to Halfords to get a replacement and stay legal, but the wipers that claimed to fit didn't, typical! Next I contacted my garage and he arranged to have some wipers by the following day (Friday), I popped in to have the wiper fitted and these were also the wrong fitting! I waited while the garage man phoned several suppliers and eventually after providing my full registration number and loads of other info he found the right blades. They were delivered by courier later in the day and I had to go back again to have the blade fitted. Just another device by Ford to complicate what should be simple and squeeze extra money out of the poor fools who drive their cars.
By Sunday the car had a warning message saying 'Alternator Workshop' and as the car has had a history of battery charge problems it was booked in to have the problem checked. By Monday it had developed another fault which I feel sure must be clutch related so I am feeling totally frustrated. I dread to think how much this little lot is going to cost!
Thursday, 21 February 2008
An Expensive Mistake 08.06.07
The parking sensors on the Galaxy seem to be playing up. The rear sensor keeps doing a peculiar little screech for no apparent reason. I can't face another trip to the garage at the moment - and neither can my bank account! I don't find the parking sensors very useful anyway because I am so tone deaf that I cannot distinguish between the front and rear sensors.
A man that I used to work with had a very interesting problem with his car a few years ago, his clutch peddle was sticking badly causing him difficulty changing gear and making driving very difficult. He booked the car into the garage and they swiftly resolved the problem for him. His car mat has slipped and was obstructing the peddle, they just had to reposition the mat!
A man that I used to work with had a very interesting problem with his car a few years ago, his clutch peddle was sticking badly causing him difficulty changing gear and making driving very difficult. He booked the car into the garage and they swiftly resolved the problem for him. His car mat has slipped and was obstructing the peddle, they just had to reposition the mat!
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Playing Chicken 08.05.07
We had to make an emergency dash to our local retail park to buy sawdust for Shadow (Sam's Guinea Pig). The streets were quiet with that unreal bank holiday feeling until we got to the retail park and found that the entire town had decided to go shopping! It was hard to find a parking space especially one big enough for a Galaxy, but at last I found one. As I drew into the space Sam and Laura shouted at me to stop. The space was occupied - by two suicidal ducks! I edged forward and they stayed put, I revved the engine and they ignored me, the children shouted out of the window at them, but they didn't notice us. finally Sam had to get out and chase them away. I think they must be providing holiday cover for the suicidal pheasants who annoy me by playing 'chicken' as I drive to and from work. Ducks certainly have more style, pheasants are the most stupid creatures.
Monday, 3 December 2007
Car Wash
Being a train person, cars are not of much significance to Robbie – but he becomes a bit of an anorak about buses and trams! He has no interest whatsoever in learning to drive a car and I must admit that in my weaker moments I feel that this is a benefit to the community!
I have a Galaxy and it seems to require new tyres almost as often as Robbie desires new shoes. Checking the tyre pressure has become one of those routine jobs that we do more or less every week. At first Robbie was unsure of the process, but his confidence grew and in true Robbie style he has made the task his own. He has turned it into an art form and he now times himself to the second!
Robbie had his own clear ideas about washing the car. As far as he was concerned it had to be done by hand with a traditional chamois. The process involved me moving the car several times so that he could complete the task to his satisfaction. I found the arrangement irritating and Robbie trooping in and out of the kitchen to update me on his progress and refill his bucket could have proved dangerous – to his health! Matters came to a head and when he still resisted the option of the jet wash, I pointed out that it would be quicker, easier, more effective and safer (for him!). None of this swayed him, but then I suggested that the present contortions were an elaborate ruse to engage our very attractive neighbour in conversation! Deeply indignant and protesting just a little too much he meekly agreed to the jet wash.
Once at the garage he was like a child with a new toy. After giving the car the full treatment he jumped back into the passenger seat soaking wet, with a huge grin on his face. Believe it or not he asked if we could drive round and do it again! I didn’t oblige, but I promised he could come out to play again the next weekend. He then told me in great detail about the Tonka Trucks that he had when he was a little boy! Our trips to the jet wash are now almost a weekly event.
Having discovered the jet wash, his enthusiasm for car related gadgets has greatly increased. He has mastered the new vacuum machine and he particularly enjoys the bit at the end when he can douse the car interior with ‘new car’ fragrance. I have to drive with the windows open for a while after that!
Robbie’s latest discovery is how to fill the car with diesel. I have never seen anyone get so much pleasure from such a mundane task! Perhaps all this enthusiasm for cars will improve his map reading, but somehow I doubt it!
I have a Galaxy and it seems to require new tyres almost as often as Robbie desires new shoes. Checking the tyre pressure has become one of those routine jobs that we do more or less every week. At first Robbie was unsure of the process, but his confidence grew and in true Robbie style he has made the task his own. He has turned it into an art form and he now times himself to the second!
Robbie had his own clear ideas about washing the car. As far as he was concerned it had to be done by hand with a traditional chamois. The process involved me moving the car several times so that he could complete the task to his satisfaction. I found the arrangement irritating and Robbie trooping in and out of the kitchen to update me on his progress and refill his bucket could have proved dangerous – to his health! Matters came to a head and when he still resisted the option of the jet wash, I pointed out that it would be quicker, easier, more effective and safer (for him!). None of this swayed him, but then I suggested that the present contortions were an elaborate ruse to engage our very attractive neighbour in conversation! Deeply indignant and protesting just a little too much he meekly agreed to the jet wash.
Once at the garage he was like a child with a new toy. After giving the car the full treatment he jumped back into the passenger seat soaking wet, with a huge grin on his face. Believe it or not he asked if we could drive round and do it again! I didn’t oblige, but I promised he could come out to play again the next weekend. He then told me in great detail about the Tonka Trucks that he had when he was a little boy! Our trips to the jet wash are now almost a weekly event.
Having discovered the jet wash, his enthusiasm for car related gadgets has greatly increased. He has mastered the new vacuum machine and he particularly enjoys the bit at the end when he can douse the car interior with ‘new car’ fragrance. I have to drive with the windows open for a while after that!
Robbie’s latest discovery is how to fill the car with diesel. I have never seen anyone get so much pleasure from such a mundane task! Perhaps all this enthusiasm for cars will improve his map reading, but somehow I doubt it!
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