nixy

All is well! Got a phone call today to say that the engine is absolutely fine and running like clockwork. They have taken various bits and pieces out to make sure it's all still dry. They are going to take the seats out and take all the carpet and insulation out etc and dry it all out properly. The carpets are apparently going into the paint oven to dry! They are then going to professionally clean them before they go back inside. Obviously this is going to cost me a bit in terms of time they will take to do it but I don't care - my excess is £350 anyway so I'm not going through the insurance. The garage it is at is one of the top places around here and does work on some serious motors so I trust them and have used them before. I am so relieved I can't tell you! Getting it back this weekend.

Well, they came and took it away on a flatbed last night but because all the garages are inundated with similar problems they haven't checked it over yet. The more I think about it the more I hope it will only be a case of wet carpets. I was going so slowly and the water only came up to the bottom of the doors before I stopped - I took the mats out and they are already dry. Anyway fingers crossed. Our house is fine by the way. Luckily we live up a sloping driveway! Lots of others are not so lucky though! We even had carp swimming up the street! Quite funny in a way. Back out in the Astra today to go shopping as when I got back from France my wonderful husband hadn't done any shopping so we were stranded with no milk or bread and hardly any loo roll! Typical!

PM's sent!

You lot really are a tonic. I'm going to ring my insurance and just ask their advice. I don't want to go through them unless I have to but will have it taken to a garage they recommend to be checked over just in case (I think). I have breakdown cover so that should be ok. I don't have any idea how long it will be before I can get to it though as the river is still raging at the end of the driveway. Is there anyone here I can PM with an insurance question rather than post it up?

at first there was nothing at all, just a click and the dials went blank although they were lit before I tried to start it. Went back a bit later on the back of a truck for my suitcase!!! tried it again and there was a spark of life there momentarily but it hadn't been out of the wet for long.

oh god what does that mean?

well this is the street where I live - my son Harl decided as he had no wellies he would do bermuda shorts! I drove my car into the water and water came in through the floor it seemed or maybe through bottom of doors. All electrics still working - windows etc - just wouldn't start. So far just soaking carpets and mats. I won't be able to tell the damage until I can actually get to it which you can see from the pics may be a little while! I hope to god it's ok.

Oh my god - I know you think I've pranged it, but no! I have got back from a nightmare journey from France. Delayed plane, cancelled train, bus, taxi then bliss - open my friends garage and there is the car all safe and tucked up. Drove home early hours and into our village which unbeknown to me was about 2 - 3 feet under water. I didn't realise until it was too late and the water was rushing in around my ankles. My husband and son came and pushed the car out of the water and onto dry land but it is dead and I have had to abandon it on the outskirts of our village which has now been cordoned off by police. I was taken home in a tractor. I am totally numb with shock! I can't believe I have been so stupid on the third drive of my beautiful new car! I'll update you later when I can. Nic

some very quick pics off my mobile I'll catch up with you all in just over a week when I get back from france. Be good!

I know you've been wondering what's taken me so long! Picked it up yesterday from Jurgen at JM-Imports - what can I say - amazing! Car looks fabulous and the leather re-trim is great! The bad bit was driving home 129 miles in the rain - but only cos I was annoyed at the car getting dirty! Got home late afternoon and took it straight back out! Came home and washed it as the sun was out - then it rained again! The car is immaculate - thick carpet mats like new with metal Z logos - same in the boot. There is already a cargo net and where the tonneau cover would go there is also a thick net. Spent the rest of the evening trying to suss out the after market sony DVD/TV/Satnav which appears to work except that the remote is in japanese and I can't suss it out. Going out today again when it dries up a bit - don't want any muck on it! Got one pic so far on my mobile but as my internet is playing up I can't get it loaded. I've got a few questions so will be back later when I've got a bit more time! One other thing - I cannot fault JM-Imports and would say that if anyone is scared of importing, use Jurgen and you won't be disappointed, but more on that later as well...............

the 'chunky tubes' will have to stay for the time being unless anyone can come up with a nice looking cheap alternative for me. I'm open to suggestions.

but why? I don't get it! And no, I've not been that original on the seats - they are similar to Lomoto's.

but why is it so popular? Is it just a 'clicky' thing?

I can't afford to change the wheels for a while unfortunately unless you lot have a whip round for me. As for the stubby - I like the original aerial.........

Yeah nissan ones I'm sure would be perfectly ok but probably pricey?

club stickers of course! Having a leather re-trim but would really like some new wheels as well but I'm totally skint now!

I can't see how you can get covers to look anywhere near as good as a re-trim. I know someone who has leather covers and they look baggy. If you're going to shell out over £200 anyway you might as well pay the extra for a pro job. They do look ok in the ad but I have my suspicions.

do you want tiger print underpants to go with that?

yep, just how I like it! Actually, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, I like things to match and I think you'll find that it's the only colour that actually goes with the brake calipers.............

They aren't covers, they are being re-trimmed.

yeah absolutely they have to send it. Sometimes people are lazy though aren't they. I did once hand the whole thing over when a bloke bought my golf gti but said he wanted to put it in his wife's name and she wasn't there to sign the paperwork - I only thought after he'd gone how daft I was doing that but it was ok in the end.

Seats are actually being done today - arranged by Jurgen who imported the car for me. Cost £400 which is cheap but I haven't seen them in the flesh yet!

Sarnie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Picking it up saturday - this last couple of weeks has felt like an eternity!

Jurgen sent me some pics of my car to my mobile phone. They're not the best but gives you a quick peek!

They are unlikely to let you walk away with the whole V5 as you could then not post it for a few weeks and clock up a few speeding tickets. You will be fine with just the bit you need off the bottom, just make sure it's all signed etc. And yes, as mentioned, MOT if it needs one and any service history paperwork bills etc. As for the private plate, I think that has to be done at a local DVLA office unless you do it afterwards by post which is very quick anyway. Good luck!