Cars ain’t nothin’ but trouble
I humbly submit the following evidence as proof that vehicles are almost too much trouble:
Last Thursday, I took my 96 Hyundai Accent in for inspection, and was told it needed an entirely new exhuast system to the tune of $1000. Given the age and mileage on my vehicle, the garage told me it wasn’t worth it
As I was getting in the car to leave the garage, one of the mechanics motioned toward me, pointing out a car they had just bought at an insurance auction — a 97 Hyundai Sonata. They’d already replaced the exhaust and a ball joint and given it an inspection sticker for the year. I test drove it, and it was a decent car — asking price $1500. For $500 more than it would cost to get my old car inspection-worthy, I could get an already-stickered upgrade. They were even going to take my Accent off my hands and give me $100 for it. After some thought, prayer, and helping Carla wrangle with finances, we decided to go for it.
The day before I was planning on finalizing the deal for the Sonata, the starter went on my Accent. I had no way to get to work (aside from making my wife drive me 45 miles out of her way each way) so Monday I called out from work to get this whole mess taken care of. Paid for the Sonata, called our insurance company to put it on the policy, and hoped to get it registered. Alas, the title hadn’t arrived yet.
It still hasn’t. Right now I’m alternating between a carpool with 3 other guys from my workplace who also live in the area, and taking Carla’s car when she’s able to get a ride to her job. Living in limbo sucks.
Speaking of Carla’s car — she also needed an inspection. It didn’t pass — it needed 4 new tires and a brake cable replaced. Given our current financial situation (more on that in a near-future “where I’ve been for the past month or so two months” post), it could have been worse, but still…
Apparently, we’re not the only ones having vehicle troubles, either. I just read Geof Morris’s tale of truck woe, and my brother and sister-in-law are down to one vehicle due to exhaust issues as well. There must be something in the air.
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October 19th, 2006 at 3:14 pm
Yes, the smell of our money being burned up into uselessness!
At least you’ve got a wife with a car, y’know? I was so screwed at the time.
October 20th, 2006 at 11:38 am
About two weeks ago, we replace the head gasket in my wife’s mini van. Two grand. In our case, we thought that taking a two grand gamble on another mini van wasn’t worth it. You know, “the devil you know or the devil you don’t” kinda deal.
November 1st, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Sometimes, God tests you. It may be a test of a deeply personal nature that will change your life, and even make you look at the way the sun rises and sets in a whole new way. Other tests are of a more economical nature. The fact that my own check engine light reappeared during my 45 minute comute home today after a long day’s work makes me think that I, too, am being tested. (I recently went $1200 further in debt making other repairs.) Fortunately, I have a crib sheet, and am willing to share the answers of God’s test:
Shout “damn! damn! sunnuvabitch!” while repeatedly slamming your fists against the dash and/or steering wheel. Cry.
I am almost certain this is the correct answer.
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:31 pm
45 minute commute? Dang…we’re almost even now.
January 10th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
[…] People who steal shit from cars don’t discriminate based on the car’s age or body type. Even a 97 Hyundai Sonata with multiple hailstorm dents can be a victim. […]
January 18th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
[…] My 96 Hyundai accent is declared “not worth fixing” when we try to get it ready for inspection. The shop has a car they’ve just renovated from an insurance auction they can sell me for slightly more than it would have cost to fix and inspect the old one. We go for it, with one catch. They don’t have the title. Buying the car depletes us of most of the money we were saving toward our $2000 first installment. […]