My car has been stuck in the OGGB carpark for over a month with a bust starter motor. I finally got it towed out last Monday and paid $666 to have it fixed. On tuesday night, I was out with my sister and as I left, she pointed out that during my car’s abandonment, the left headlight bulb died of neglect. It was on my todo list for this weekend, but I’d forgotten about it when I planned to go out to dinner tonight in New Lynn. With the streetlights as bright as they are around the city, I couldn’t even tell the difference.
Of course, the police officer driving towards me could, and he did a U turn to pull me over literally right outside my apartment building. He explained to me that the police have a carrot and stick approach to infringements like this. The stick is a $150 fine. The carrot is that I have 14 days compliance. If I fix the problem within 14 days and send the police written proof that I’ve gotten the issue fixed, then I won’t have to pay the fine.
That’s task number 1 this weekend. Task number 2 is to fix the broken mount on the drivers seat. I’m not having much luck with my car lately. Between it and my teeth, this has been an expensive couple of months.

April 24th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Yikes!! Yeah, once the car gets to a certain age, they do start to cost a lot of money. But not costing as much as buying a new one… and now that you’ve spent all these money on it, might as well drive it for a bit longer… until such time, either you got enough money for a nicer new car; or it has proven not worth while to keep fixing it!
Hopefully this would be the last round of car fixing!
I must say I like the police’s approach! Get it sorted in 14 days and no fines!
Good luck!
June 3rd, 2010 at 8:27 am
I think if it cost $666 to get repaired it means you are cursed. Or the car is cursed. Or both.