Wednesday, December 07, 2005

a car that's reliable...priceless

$500 for a new gas tank

$300 for new tires

$550 to repair the brakes

$300 to repair the brake lines

and now...

$1300 to repair my car...AGAIN. It needs a new starter and new gas lines and a new head gasket.

Just when we start to get back on an even keel from having to pay for funeral expenses and missed work, etc...now THIS. I'm so tired of all of it.

I don't want anything extravagent. I just want a car that isn't going to not start and leave me stranded somewhere in the snow. I just want a car that won't blow up if some redneck throws his cigarette out his car window in front of me. I just want a car that doesn't spit out oil and antifreeze at such a rate that it might as well be a noodle strainer. Is that too much to ask?

Why do I ask these questions? Of COURSE it's too much. This is, after all, MY life. It wouldn't be my life if it were easy. No such thing as smooth sailing here.

At this point, I'm going to junk the darn car and buy a different used one. Now to actually FIND one.

I need a drink. Too bad I can't afford one.

9 comments:

Jillian said...

Yeah, they say Toyotas are the best for reliability.

But I hear ya - the relentlessness of shitty luck upon shitty luck can just get too much to take sometimes. Sorry you are the victim of yet another cosmic kick in the guts:)

SWH said...

I hate cars! I hope you can find something that doesn't add stress to your life. :)

grumpyABDadjunct said...

This just happened to us, too, 2 grand on the car right before the holidays. The silver lining is that I have a great excuse to cheap out on Christmas gifts now!

lorem ipsum said...

I panicked when I saw your picture. You know that Cavaliers have abysmal crash test ratings for many years running, don't you?

I've never had a Toyota but my college roommate still has hers, from 1985. I drive a 2000 Saturn and it's pretty awesome too - excellent crash tests also.

MB said...

Cars are such a hassle. I'm so sorry you're having issues. I hate that. Good luck finding a better one! I hope you get everything you're looking for!

David said...

Windfall Woman sent me your way. She said you have had a very hard year and suffered through the loss of a child. There are not words of comfort a stranger could share. But I pray that GOD will supply your material needs and give you comfort only the way that HE can. GOD BLESS this family please.

marybid said...

I second (or third?) the Toyota recommendation. They are very low-maintenance and quite reliable. It's the car Kate, not you. :)

marybid said...

PS--EVERYONE I know who has had a Cavalier had problems with it. I had a crapload with my Sunbird too (many similar components).

Anonymous said...

Chas would be more than happy to liquour you up if you Steve and Sam want to come by sometime.

Actually, DH would probably willing drive to your house to offer you a plethora of drink options.

Mom

My mom insisted on living independently. She wanted to live in the two-story house she and my dad built in the 70s, despite the fact that da...