Will people share their hair-rending car repair stories and commiserate in my misery?

cars suck.

Once, back when I had my '86 Corolla, I got an estimate of $1000 for getting some engine work done. I took it someplace else for a second opinion (actually to a cousin's shop) and he said the work the first shop told me I needed done, I didn't really but that the car needed $1000 of framework done.

I didn't get anything done and it was fine for another year or so until it wasn't and then I donated it and got a new (to me) car.

Anyone have photos of Anne on hand from SF2F? Seems to me her hair is exactly what Cindy is looking for.

I can't resist posting this -

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I sunk $1100 into mine to fix the mysterious-sounding timing kit, and... it runs exactly as it did before.

Ouch. On the one hand, I wish I had taken my car in back when it started MOST of the time rather than scaring me with a stranding every couple weeks, but on the other, I'm halfway glad it doesn't start at all now, which means that there's a pretty clear test as to whether the repair actually fixed the problem. It does leave me sort of stuck with whatever the first repair shop I chose, though, since I can't just tow the damn thing around town. Still would have had to pay the diagnostic fee anyway.

I can commiserate, in that I am pretty sure my car needs that same repair, plus I have a gas leek, and oil leek, and a horrible shaking problem, but I can't even take it in to be repaired or looked at right now, because I have to pay for a root canal. So I will be bussing it for a few months.

Eep! It sucks because my car finally died when my family came to town and I sort of need to be able to go down to Belmont for my grandmother's surprise birthday party. And I need to get to my weekend runs.

Once, back when I had my '86 Corolla, I got an estimate of $1000 for getting some engine work done. I took it someplace else for a second opinion (actually to a cousin's shop) and he said the work the first shop told me I needed done, I didn't really but that the car needed $1000 of framework done.

Criminy. I love technology except when it doesn't work, at which point I become a crying, screaming mess.

P-C, we've spent going on $3000 in repairs on our car in the last 6-9 months. And that's *without* taking care of minor, trivial matters like the snapped-off radio antenna (which would've cost another $150) and the vent system that intermittently stops working ($250-300), or slightly less minor matters like the front spoiler that's been dangling ever since we scraped over a stupid-ass speed bump at my dad's house ($900).

I refuse to let myself add up the amount we've spent on gas, oil changes, registration renewal, insurance, parking permits, parking tickets, and our FasTrak pass in that time, because it would probably make me (a) throw up, and (b) shove the car off a cliff, and Hec would never forgive me for that. I'm just about convinced, though, that if we added absolutely everything up, it would be no more expensive at all to just take cabs everywhere.

And yes, the diagnostic fee hurts. And they will always, always find something new wrong with the car that you didn't even notice when you brought it in. This is why I say again that cars are tools of the Devil.

a gas leek, and oil leek

OK, I have to laugh at myself. I am now picturing leeks coming out of my car!

I agree with JZ. Cars are tools of the devil!

And I forgot -- so much job~ma to you, Sophia! What a scary possibility for all of you to have hanging over your heads.

I'm just about convinced, though, that if we added absolutely everything up, it would be no more expensive at all to just take cabs everywhere.

It's crazy, man! I never thought that something like those CityCarShare programs would actually be cheaper than owning a car, but I'm having second thoughts. This is the price of convenience, I guess.

And they will always, always find something new wrong with the car that you didn't even notice when you brought it in.

Apparently my oil is a little low, but everything else looks fine. But my oil isn't DANGEROUSLY low, so whatevs.

I'm firmly in the camp that if it's not life threatening and the car still drives, it's good to go. Having said that, I let something go and ended up paying $500 to have my power steering pump replaced. It's better to take it in and pay the diagnostic fee than end up paying through the nose for something that could have been prevented.

j. jill has responded. Only, they think I ordered the jeans online and are telling me to send them back with the special shipping label. Heh. I guess I'll just have to stop at the local store and see what they say. The e-mail didn't exactly offer to replace them, they gave me a number to call for that. I'ma get me new jeans, nagdabit.

Cars do indeed suck. I have a list of stuff that needs to be done, and yet I keep putting it off. I will regret this.

I can't resist posting this -

Anne's hair is so very shiny and lovely. We need more pictures!

Ugh. Just got off the phone with K. Viewing on Friday. Funeral is on Saturday. I don't know what to do.

Try to get in touch with everybody to call it off. Have it, but Mr. Jane hosts without me. Have it and hope I make it in before it's too late in the afternoon. Go to the viewing, but drive back late Fri. night.

K is pretty much going through the same thing. Of course, her party involves people flying in from Seattle and Baby Daddy marching in the parade.

There's just not a solution that's making me feel incredibly good right now.