In August 2008 I brought myself a Ford Laser.. nice 5DR Hatch, neat.. tidy.. aircon… power-steering.. you know.. all the nice stuff.. I paid $2500..

well it seems I have been doing nothing but paying for it over and over and OVER again!

Shortly after purchasing the car it was brought to my attention that the rear brakes were rooted.. I had absolutely no braking power and the guys at Profix had said that they were surprised I hadn’t pranged the car.. so that’s $350 to recondition rear drum brakes to new..

following the brakes, I was told the transmission needed a major service, another few hundred..

a few months go by.. the cars running pretty sweet, it’s always been economical being able to run over 300kms per week on $45 worth of fuel..

and then.. the tyres are threading… that’s about $400..

..find out the front suspension is gone… quoted another $600..

..then my battery dies… $90.00 + service costs

..then I smack into a median strip to avoid collision with a bus on my way home from work (his fault, veering into my lane for no reason whatsoever).. this rips my hub cap to shreds and completely screws one of my rims..

..so the new tyres, alignment, balancing etc.. is absolutely worthless now! Plus.. I am going to have to have the rim fixed or replaced..

..and it gets better!.. my battery dies again!! Not knowing what could possibly be causing this as the battery is barely two months old.. we’re having to go over everything.. alternator.. wiring.. fuses.. everything! ..more running around and money been thrown about like nobodies business!

this is my task for today.. I have had to take the day off of work cos not only could I not find an alternative way into work, despite my best efforts.. I’m the only one with a licence.. therefore if the car is taken.. there’s no way of getting it back within business hours.. which would mean lots more money and no ride..

I have lost a days wage and about to spend twice that, at least, to get the Laser up and running again..

someone tell me when this will stop ‘cos the surprises aren’t amusing anymore!