Do they know?

[eddyramrod]

I've often thought that my cars must be able to understand what I'm saying, or even feeling. For example, if I stray far enough from home on a weekend, and begin "pushing" a bit to get home, you can bet the car will throw a wobbler. Likewise if I decide to sell: the moment the phone rings the starter will decide to retire (calling me an ungrateful turd as it passes...).

 

Anyone else had experiences that would back up this theory?

[dollywobbler]

I buy into the 'cars have emotions' far too much! The 2CV always seems to get stroppy if I park her in the garage, I'm sure of it. Yet leave her sitting outside for a few days and she'll start sweet as anything.

 

Cleaning cars DOES make them run better too. Maybe I should get around to cleaning my lot...

[greengartside]

When I sold my Ford Ka a couple of weeks ago the interior mirror fell off just as the buyer drove away in it.

 

Sold my BMW and one of the headlights blew.

 

When I sold my Mk4 Astra SRi the ABS light came on the same day it was to be sold. Never came on in the 18 months I had it. Had to knock a few quid off for that.

 

My Citroen AX I had years and years ago had a flat battery the day I sold it. Held it's charge perfectly throughout my ownership.

 

When I sold my MkV Escort, it sprang a tiny leak from the waterpump about three days prior to selling it (that's partly the reason why it went)

 

so yeah, sod's law does happen to me. It's a right bugger, it is.

[seth]

I had to explain to ickle_Seth how I wanted to give the Hillman a rest after its hard work over the holiday.

 

But then she has lots of imaginary friends and talks to soft toys so I think she understood.

[AlsoMike]

My first car ('95 Renner 5) threw it's toys out of the pram in spectacular style on the motorway literally 2 minutes after I uttered the words "it's not a bad little car this, you know" (I'd never really liked it) to my then missus. Bastard thing then overheated and spat all of it's water everywhere really quite suddenly.

[dollywobbler]

Oh yes, my second 2CV. " This car runs really well." So it cut out. Wire had come off the coil...

[ashmicro]

With me, it's inkjet printers. I swear those fucking things just KNOW whn you need to print something in a hurry, or something important, or both. Then they throw a hissy fit and jam, or all the lights flash on and off and they just sit there, doing nothing.

[eddyramrod]

Oh yes, printers too, in fact any technology really!

[RedSparrow]

With me, it's inkjet printers. I swear those fucking things just KNOW whn you need to print something in a hurry, or something important, or both. Then they throw a hissy fit and jam, or all the lights flash on and off and they just sit there, doing nothing.

Or the photocopier at work. In a rush? - Paper jam!

 

I have found with cars that they respond well to encouraging words.

Swearing and calling them rusty pieces of shit results in breakdowns.

 

I am losing it.

[cms206]

I definately believe cars are more than soul-less machines, designed purely to get us from A to B. They seem to pick up a bit of each of their owners as the years go on. In saying that, I never really have come up with names for any of my lot, except the Cavalier for some reason - the moment I set eyes on him, he became known as Derek.

 

I tell a lie. My slowly decaying Mk1 National, the one bus I'll never sell, is and always will be known as Rusty, largely because he is.

[Alexg]

when I was younger my dad had a red Talbot Horizon for a couple of years then decided to trade it in for a Volvo 340 saloon (yes I know what you're thinking-'this dudes dad is the fucking autoshite master!'). Between shaking hands and swoping cars the windscreen imploded and the n/s/f wheel came off

[HillmanImp]

After months of neglect, I once decided I really liked my Pug 309 and i was actually going to repair it and it exploded moments afterwards.

 

If we follow this theory of cars having emotions, that car did not like being owned by me.

[warren t claim]

My Mk1 Dodge Caravan from the U.S. of goddam A decided to throw its waterpump and cambelt less than a minute after I uttered to the former Mrs Claim that it had paid for itself now and it didn't matter if it siezed I'd still be happy with it.

[dollywobbler]

My Mk1 Dodge Caravan from the U.S. of goddam A decided to throw its waterpump and cambelt less than a minute after I uttered to the former Mrs Claim that it had paid for itself now and it didn't matter if it siezed I'd still be happy with it.

I can picture that very easily, poor Dodge has an achy waterpump but doesn't want to let you down, then you say your bit and it goes 'oh sod it then! BANG!'

[warren t claim]

My Mk1 Dodge Caravan from the U.S. of goddam A decided to throw its waterpump and cambelt less than a minute after I uttered to the former Mrs Claim that it had paid for itself now and it didn't matter if it siezed I'd still be happy with it.

I can picture that very easily, poor Dodge has an achy waterpump but doesn't want to let you down, then you say your bit and it goes 'oh sod it then! BANG!'

That's EXACTLY what thie kids said! I was under strict instructions after that to never say I was happy with a car again. They were gutted to lose their "Mystery Machine" and never forgave me!

[Cavcraft]

I used to find the only bloody time I filled a car to the top with fuel the bastard would throw a major wobbly.

Ditto the day before going on holiday something major would go tits up and I spend ages trying to fix it or swapping all the holiday gear out of it into one of my 'emergency' bangers before driving hundreds of miles in a car i'd only previously driven about four miles.

 

This may have included the time I had to go on holiday in an un-taxed BX petrol which fucked up three miles from home coming back.

[brammy777]

Well my mums been thinking of getting a newer car because she doesnt trust our C3 anymore, and it hasnt been helping itself because in the past few weeks it has decided to smell like its about to go on fire, had the emissions light come on, worn down its offside brake pads, developed an electrical fault which turns the heating on (to quite a high level) and the windscreen seal has decided to try and escape. I hate that car.

[warren t claim]

I used to find the only bloody time I filled a car to the top with fuel the bastard would throw a major wobbly.

Ironically, the Dodge had just been treated to £30 worth of unleaded on it's last fatefull journey. To this day I still wont put exactly £30 of fuel in a car.

[Rusty Pelican]

Really wanted to take my Singer on hols years ago , it wasnt running right but i was sure it would make it , loaded it up with the holiday stuff , locked the house up , sat in it to leave and fell through the drivers seat which collapsed . Had to take my other car instead

[Lord Sterling]

My Dads Sterlings gearbox started going wrong not long before he sold. I can tell he still loves that car, but its long gone now.

 

My Sterling doesnt seem to care. It took me to and from where I needed to despite having not being looked after by previous owner. Now its just given up with HGF. I keep saying I wont give up on it.

 

Most of the cars I've had never seem to last long with me, the most they have ever lasted was 1 year before one thing or another took them off the road even though I intended to keep there longer. Maybe they just dont like me.

[STUNO]

Yup, I sold a 1955 Anglia many years ago. It never gave me a moments trouble, but after the buyer picked it up it went about 2 miles and the diff lost a tooth on the crownwheel. I got it back