They happen in three's

As far as luck goes, for me it pretty much runs down the middle of the road. While I have been previously told I must make my own luck, here in the real world I am pretty well off. Every now and again bad things do happen, and yes - they usually come in three's. With that in mind I hope the following two are minor in comparison.

Today I took my MR2 for a warrant. I've had my Toyota for over 14 years, and in that time I've never once fell out of love with it. It's fast and fun to drive, and frankly I cant think of any other car I'd rather own for the price. So when the Warrant of Fitness guy told me he had some bad news for me I was unfazed - after all how bad could it be?

Very bad. Years before I brought the car, some back yard panel beater in Japan had repaired the front of the car so badly that I am now looking at a repair bill of over $3000. That's not to say he didn't do a good job of hiding his repairs. When the car came into New Zealand it was missed on the Land Transport inspection, and every warrant of fitness visit since the fault has been overlooked. And we are talking here is significant danger to the driver, if the car is involved in an accident.

I am gutted. The car now has to go for a full engineering report and a repair method has to be supplied by Toyota. Sobering stuff.

So it's good, at least in the respect that I am still here, but bad because I have no car to get me about. I have to wait and decide whether to repair the car or wreck it. Personally even at a cost of $3000 I'm not liable to find a car of similar performance or enjoyment - but I have to wait and see - it may be time to let it go.

When I think of all the places and close calls I've been in with this car, perhaps it shouldn't be viewed as bad luck after all - perhaps I'm lucky to still be breathing.

Still I'm worried about the next two pieces of bad news.