bloody hell what an adventure i had the same happen to me a few years back when i was looking for a frst, i did walk away though in the middle of nowhere but the difference was i didnt have the mrs with me.

as said above at least you ended up with a car but its a shame you couldnt of got a bit more off it even if it just covered your travelling expenses an fuel for the way back.

it looks as if your doing all the right things though and renewing as much as the essential stuff as possible as its certainly not been treated to well by its previous owners.