Car disappeared at San Francisco after completing Fallout 2

[Anjow]

The game is patched to the latest version from the interplay site, can't remember the exact number. It was a manual install, huge version. There are no mods installed. My system is:

A64 3700+
1GB GeIL DDR400
6800GT
XP Pro SP1

I completed the game about an hour before this happened, then I got attacked in the desert. I get to SF and find out that my car isn't there...

Now I can't say for certain whether I left it in the desert or not, but I do know that it once disappeared at SF for no reason when I was playing the game through for the first time several years ago - that was with the unpatched version though.

So, if I have actually left it in the desert is there a way to get it back? Nothing shows up on the main map I don't think.

If it is a glitch like happened that first time I was playing it through, what should I do?

Any info would be good, thanks.

 

[RPGenius]

If I recall, when you leave your car in the wastes, a small location bubble appears (Cafe of broken dreams, toxic caves size.) Not to sound patronizing, but you're aware of the Stolen Car Storyline, right?

 

[Anjow]

Yeah that happens in New Reno though, and what's more it has already happened

To be honest I wouldn't mind it happening again as I hear you get an extra upgrade if it happens after completing the game... But it was at San Francisco anyway.

There aren't any blips on the main map, aside from the cafe of broken dreams *2

 

[Sander]

I believe the "Car outta fuel" bubble only if you run out of fuel, not if you leave it on the map, so I'd say that if you accidentally left it there, you've lost the car forever.

Now, Per's guide makes a mention of the car just dissappearing. There's mention of it maybe appearing in any of the other places on the world map, but obviously reversing to an earlier save would be the best option.

EDIT: Also, good to see someone read the stickies.

 

[Wooz]

You have to win it off Zdzislaw, the post-apocalyptic Polish car thief in a booze contest at the cafe of broken dreams.

 

[alec]