Basically, i've had a few PM's enquiring into my descision-so rather than keep PM'ing, i'll fill you in. This has been a really good forum, and despite the recent lack of enthusiasm in the club, it's still a great place. I've made some good 'cyber' friends, but all the people i've met along the way have been really great too. Very supportive, very kind-and often sarcastic and crude, which is right up my street. I don't have to explain myself to anybody, but you're a good bunch and i feel happy telling you. I PM'd JT as he was a naughty naughty boy posting in my diary thread, so rather than type it out again, i'll just paste the content here:
So thats the story. It's not an easy decision, but it's a good time for me to do it. I've got thousands of pictures of the car, so it won't feel like i've sold it for a long while i don't reckon! And the lad checking the insurance is a good mate of mine-and he looks after his cars. Never thrashed or anything-he's a bit of a Grandad really , but a good guy. I'd be happy selling it to him, i just don't know how i'd feel seeing it being driven about when i'm in the rain on my bike .I'll fill you in on the details. Basically, my overdraft has been hanging over my head since i was about 18. It's turned into a bit of a long running joke. But it's not just that, i'm just not happy with things the way they are full stop. You know about my situation regarding my degree etc. The job at Volvo didn't happen as you may have guessed-long story, but basically my face didn't fit after all that and they made me fully aware.
So, i'm still looking for graphics work, but i've been doing alot of thinking the last few weeks. I spoke to a friend who was in the industry, and after a chat with him i realised i had to take the situation by the horns so to speak. I feel like i'm still in student mode. I work part time, i've got a £1050 overdraft (it was -£3k, so i've done well to get it down) and i'm driving an older car (i'm not a snob, i just want something newer)-this situation is exactly the same one i was in 8 years ago, and i don't want it to be like this anymore. I love the 480, but i told Shaneeka a long while before the meet that i was losing enthusiasm-and i've had time to reflect the last few weeks. I've wanted a late T4 or a V/S70 T5/R for ages-i've wanted my overdraft cleared for ages. And now that the car is running fine, it's probably at it's best-so i figured why not wipe the slate clean. I'm applying for loads of different full time jobs, with the money i've been offered for the car, i can clear my overdraft and have a bit left. Ok, i'll be car-less, but i'll be debt free-something i've wanted for a long while. Not having a car has been easy the last 6 weeks-i use the Clio if i need it, but i bike everywhere. And i've been a bit better off too!
I love the 480 to bits as you know-and it really, really is breaking my heart to do it-but i've got to address my situation-i don't want to be here in another years time-so i'm taking the first in a series of positive steps to change my life-only i can do it. It's been frustrating of late, so the time has come to move on. It's not just the 480, it's alot of things in my life too. Time to let go of alot of memories that i've clung onto for too long.
I'll miss the 480, and i'lll miss the forum-but it's time to part company. You know what i mean-you get a little shunt that puts things into perspective?
I know for a fact i'm wasting my time advertising on the forum, hence the slightly abrupt diary thread-i know what everyone on here is like with regards to a 480's worth. I've spoken to a couple of other members and they suggested private because they think the car is worth more than it would be on the forum lol. I've actually got a guy calling me later-he's just checking the insurance (he's only 21), but he knows the car and has said that if the insurance is ok he'd like to put a deposit on it asap! So perhaps it's meant to be? Who knows! Cheers for the post though-nice to see that somebody cares! I think it's surprised a few people actually, i've had a few PM's today
Dan the sad nearly 480-less man
There you have it guys! Gutted, but a sense of relief also if you know what i mean. I'm closing alot of old doors. If Groom was about, he'd know what i mean, we had some good chats before he moved further away.
I do feel a bit emotional, as cheesy as it sounds-it's not just the car thats going, it's the good old 480 community spirit-and it's funny too becasue i know that there's some people i'll never meet again-which is a shame. But life goes on! I know i'll never find another close knit forum like this with another Volvo, but i can't keep it just for that. I'll be about for a while anyway...
Dan