Well I've managed to suss myself a new automobile after the Bluebird writeoff:

That was pretty much the visual extent of the damage which I thought may cost a few hundy to fix at the panel beaters, thought the towbar took most of the impact, but the insurance wrecker reckoned the repairs would cost more than the value of the car, which they estimated to be $2800, so I happily took that instead. I was thinking about trying to get rid of it on trademe for $2500 but had never got around to it, and proberly wouldn't have even got that as it had been having quite a few overheating issues recently, even with a new radiator put in last year.
I scoped out a few cars in my price range online, but I think it was Tom from here who linked me to an auction for a VR6 on Waiheke Island which took my fancy, although the beginning price was 29. with a reserve of 4.4- I rang the seller anyway and she said she wouldn't go lower than 33. but hadn't had any offers yet- guess it was my lucky day when she phoned back the next day and said she'd take whatever I had as she was going on a family holiday to Egypt the following morning and was in desperate need of the cash.. Took a mate over on the ferry who's a mechanic to have a once over- took it for a test run and was instantly in love. Nice tidy 2.8 V6, handles great and goes like stink. Included tints, rims and a Sony headunit which weren't listed in the auction which was a nice bonus, with wof and rego intact too. Very happy with my purchase I am- although am not sure how long I'll keep it as euro spare parts aren't easily available, and the passenger window doesn't have a motor in it, and the rear two windows have been disconnected due to 'problems'- I've already had offers for $3000, so watch this space if VR6's are you're kinda thing as I may try and sell it on early next year, particularly if the petrol consumption on the 25km runs to Ardmore from my place gets too much!

