It's been a hard decsion to make but the practical side of me has taken over and the SIII is going on the 28th MARCH. Getting a family car, Vauxhall Astra, for the sake of the little one, and also the rising costs of tax etc. It will be a sad day but I will have fond memories of owing two of the best cars you can buy, my 03 plate and the SIII.
I would like to say thanks to all the people on here who make you feel so welcome. I will also be removing my front and rear strut brace and the K&N replacement filter. If any one is interested PM me with a decent offer.

Nooooo!

Martyn....really sorry for you, mate!
Have to agree that these crippling fuel/tax rises are taking a lot of the fun out of driving my SIII too at the moment!

Hope you get a decent price for the car.

All the best for you & your family...was nice to meet you at Brum.

Chris.

Sorry to hear your news, but fully understand the reasons.
I have to confess that the recent budget sent shivers through me and my S111. She's a sensitive soul and thought she might be traded in for a Prius, but what the hell, you only live once and so I decided no matter what the cost I couldn't part with her.
She rewards me with an exciting and enjoyable experience which is hard to find in these financially difficult times. I don't have the commitments I once had, so it's easier for me to fight the inevitable.
Therefore until the government introduces a culling policy for all vehicles in excess of 1000cc, I'll keep trucking and stick two fingers up at them. (And one finger of the other hand).
Uncle Buck.

Just doesn't seem fair these crippling fuel and tax issues, especially when its supposed to be for green issues...like a small country like ours would make much difference when you have fat Americans and their fat fuel guzzlers. Makes me sick.

Actually we're one of the worst countries in the world after the USA for CO2 emissions. Our country is small, but our population's over 60 million, we're quite a densely-populated country.

Nevertheless I am against the tax hikes, not just for financial reasons but because it won't make life and the environment better here. I'm saving up for a Gen 3 and this puts me off... but I love the look of them so much so I'm still probably going to get one.

I will be sorry to see the SIII go and it has been great owning 2 coupes. When I meet my mid life crisis I will see if there is a Gen 9 or something that I can own once more!!!!

I did get a good deal on the SIII whcich helped me make the decsion. Just hope she goes to someone who will look afte her and enjoy her.

aahhh mate. gutting..!!!

are you getting a petrol astra or diesel?

Getting a petrol 1.4 on an 07 plate. It is going to be so much cheaper to run and will make life a little easier.

oh yeah, no doubtthe coupe is a guzzler mate.

hope it all goes well for ya too...

Sorry to hear the news, I think a 1.4 is going to take some getting used to. Hope you can find the wherewithall to join in the fun again one day.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww mate sorry the Coupe is going , but we and all the Coupe owners wish you all the best for the future and hey your still invited to come along to the meets just leave the Astra at home

Yep I think I will be going next too. my 300 mile weekly commute is really punishing me now. Possibly will be swapping to a Leon FR TDI.

Well the SIII has now gone, but it hasn't been without its hiccups. I receieved a call form the Vauxhall garage the day before collection telling me that they had sold the car to someone else and they had already collected it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took them 11 days to relaise the mistake and the cheeky gits said they had a replacement for me to collect and I hadn't even seen it. As you may guess, I cancelled my order and got my money back!!!! A letter of complaint is on the way to them as they must have breached some laws by selling a car I had paid and signed for?
Anyway, I found a 57reg, black Astra SXI 5 door at an Arnold Clark franchise for the same price and they gave me a better deal too. The Vauxhall garage did me a favour, but if anyone here is thinking of buying a car from Halesowen Motor House, Dudley Road, then think twice!!

Well it's good to here you had a happy ending and its good of you to name and shame people who don't no what there doing , enjoy your new motor mate

Hi,
If you have made payment and have a receipt for payment to purchase the car, and the specific car details are on the receipt, then I would say the car was yours unless there were proviso's written into the receipt (see small print). I would add that I believe that in the case of a cheque, it has to have been tendered and cash received by the garage to constitute payment made. This gets around the stopped cheque scam. I also believe that a similar situation exists for credit and debit card payments. Cash payments accepted constitute a contract but HP agreements are not something I've had experience of but I believe the car remains the property of the HP company until two thirds of the total has been paid.
If it's yours, then they've technically stolen it by acting as owners themselves and disposing of it to a third party.
I would think that there's a case for compensation at least.
Might be wise to seek advice from trading standards or consumer advice center first to clarify the facts and your rights.
The fact that it worked in your favor should be kept on the QT as they may wish to reduce any compensation that might be offered.
Uncle Buck.

Sorry you've had to sell the SIII, I totally understand, hence the little black penny racer I'm currently driving!
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