The subject line was "latest: it's always something from (mom'sname)"

The subject line was "latest: it's always something from (mom'sname)"

That's better than "No need to worry!" I guess. But that doesn't really help.

Nightmares in car buying:

We headed to the dealer Hubby's sister had recommended, to look at the Rav4 the dealer was putting a new motor in. We pull in, he says, "I'm sorry, the motor's still in Salt Lake! But I can probably have it done by Tuesday." We told him that we had to find a car today, because the next couple of months were going to be buy with medical stuff. So we took the Honda CRV he had out for a test drive.

It didn't even make it to the repair shop where we had an appointment for an inspection. It lost power three-quarters of the way there, then nearly all the warning lights came on. We pulled into a grocery store parking lot, called the dealer, and told him to have someone come pick us up. So we finally get back to him and to our car, and he says with a sickly smile, "So I guess I lost that sale, huh?" We politely told him we might get back with him later, then went to one of the bigger used car dealers in the state.

Sure, there's a nice building with lots of salesfolk around, all of which has to be paid for, but there was also paperwork to show legal responsibility for things, and we had to sign some stuff to say we wouldn't get stupid with the car on the test drive, as opposed to a smiling person just handing us keys and saying "Go have fun." Perhaps there is a markup to pay for the building and sales force and all that, but there's also the fact that they don't want to have junk sold under their name. They're only as big as they are because they have a reputation.

The guy at the inspection shop pointed out that the little dealerships get the cars that the big dealers don't want to handle, the dregs of the stuff out of the car auctions.

So we're currently looking at a '96 Jeep Cherokee that drives pretty well and carries the marks of honest wear instead of being suspiciously well polished.

I just want a car that will get me to work and won't leave me stranded somewhere and that I can trust to get Hubby to a doctor when needs be.

Sadly, I am pretty sure there is a huge chunk of America that has no idea of who Janelle Monae is and/or thinks she's weird. (Not my kids, because I am raising them right.)

a huge chunk of America that has no idea of who Janelle Monae is

For once, I'm in that chunk of America. ::hangs head in shame::

Somebody quick talk me out of getting a Smart Car lease so that I don't have to make expensive decisions about fixing my dying car.

She's probably worth seeking out on YouTube or whatever, Theo. I've only caught her incidentally on magazine covers and flipping through channels, that sort of thing, but she seems quite delightful.

I am not sure what to tell you about the car lease. I am finding myself strangely tempted by car ads that mention leases with low payments lately myself...

Timelies all!

Today I will pick up my subscriptions from the comic book store and get my car's fluids checked at Jiffy Lube.Whee.

I am overdue for an oil change (time-wise, I have not gone nearly the mileage to require a change) but I hate to spend weekend time on that. Maybe Monday after work.

Leases are of the devil.

Under most circumstances, car repair is cheaper than car payments.

I think I have decided that after my next 5k (end of May) I will do a triathlon. There's a "mini sprint" an hour away that would give me reasonable time to train before it happens...

Happy National Train Day, btw. It's my local depot's 100th anniversary, as well, so I'm going to head over there and see what's going on at some point.