66 REAR END SHAKEDOWN...

I can't take it any more. The knocking/rattling from the back has now escalated from making my teeth itch to giving me a full-on Chief Inspector Dreyfus eye twitch (he is Inspector Clouseau's boss in the Pink Panther film series, who is driven mad by the hapless cop if you are trying to pin down the reference).

I mentioned the knock to Ed, who I bought the car from, and he said he didn't hear it despite taking it for a long drive.  I told him about the quick test done when getting the tyres sorted, that it points to the exhaust, and asked what the implications are regarding warranty, etc.  He advised taking it to a garage, getting it up on a ramp and getting a mechanic to have a good look, and we will go from there.

Abbie is scheduled for a thorough inspection to identify the issue.  The garage assured me they'd recommend a cost-effective repair or a permanent solution.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the former, but I am prepared for the latter.

A direct replacement would cost around £600, which is outrageous for a small city car.  An upgraded, aftermarket unit is a more reasonable £260, but it's still a significant expense.  It doesn't offer any performance boost but sounds more aggressive, so it's not a total loss.