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Post by AmberC on Feb 28, 2005 23:41:14 GMT -5
We went to Fort Wayne tonight to pick up some things, and get me a cell phone so last night doesn't get repeated again (good news on my credit, I didn't have to pay a deposit and actually qualified for 2 lines, and got a free phone!) and we were heading home on the main street through Fort Wayne (which is a pretty darn big city) and the car died. Steve pulled it onto the shoulder and we let it sit for about 10 minutes, and it started right up, although the engine light was on. Drove it about 100 yards, and it died again. And I called AAA on my new cell phone and got put on hold for ages while they were trying to get in touch with the local person for AAA. And we got cut off just as a local cop pulled up. By this time Steve had gotten the car started again, and the cop followed us to the gas station that was just ahead so we'd be off the highway. Finally just called the tow truck guy (who happens to be a friend of the family) from home and he came and picked up my car and dragged it to my mechanic's shop. My mom, poor Mom, was already in her nighclothes when I called her to come get us. So she had to get dressed and drive 45 minutes to a town she doesn't know that well, in the dark and snow! But she was pretty much the only person available to come get us. Steve put $15 in gas in her car as a thank you. So now we're home safe and sound, and tomorrow my mechanic will have to put the scanner on my car and find out why it quit. And I'm so damn sick of the car I'm ready to trade it in. We still owe I think $2500 on it, but I'd rather be paying that while driving a vehicle, instead of paying it while paying for countless repairs and watching my car sit in the dang driveway! Since I'm getting a horse (I'll speak to his vet on Friday, and then it will be as soon as the shipper can get him here after that!!!) I'm thinking it would be nice to have a small pickup. I don't want to do any hauling, but it would be nice to be able to get hay or feed without having to put it in a car. But we haven't made any solid decisions on it yet. I'm just completely disgusted with this car. Tonight it sounded like it wasn't getting any gas. But we left it run while we were waiting for Mom and the tow truck,and it idled just fine for about 45 minutes, and died just after my mom got there. It had over 3/4 tank of gas, so I know there was plenty of gas there, the car just didn't seem to be getting any!
Amber
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Post by Mary Ann on Mar 1, 2005 7:19:49 GMT -5
Amber, I really want you to get rid of this lemon and get something reliable. I know there's a lot of money tied up in it, but why throw good money after bad in making all these seemingly endless repairs? And I think of how vulnerable you'd be, especially with Allisen, if you got stuck by the side of the road. Women, especially women with little ones, need reliable transportation. I'm worried about you.  |
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Post by AmberC on Mar 1, 2005 8:46:56 GMT -5
That's exactly my worry, Mary Ann. Steve and I were talking about it last night. I told him "Yes, we owe about $2500 on this car. Whether we trade it in or keep it, we are going to have to pay that money. BUT I'd rather be driving a good, trustworthy vehicle while I'm paying that $2500, rather than repeatedly breaking down and spending EVEN MORE money to fix it."
But Allisen does provide a lot of leverage to help convince him that I DO need a new car. We've put over $1200 in repairs in that damn car in the past year. It's actually been almost exactly a year since all the crap started with having to replace the upper intake manifold (at $800 for parts and labor!!!). It's just one thing after another. The mechanic's shop opens in about 10 minutes, so I better get off here and give him a call so he's not wondering why the hell my car is sitting in his parking lot! Oh, and the car is not worth what we owe on it, even if it were fixed, so selling it outright and paying it off with that money is not an option.
Amber
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Post by denise on Mar 1, 2005 9:54:22 GMT -5
since it doesn't work. Why don't you think about donating it to the Salvation Army or Veterans of America, etc. They will take them running or not (do I sound like a commercial) and you can take the highest book value of the car off your taxes as a charitable contribution. Doesn't help right away but could help you get a bigger refund at the end of this year.
Go car shop and see what they will offer you for trade-in if anything at all - vs. what high blue book is on it and multiply that by your tax rate, remember you will probably be in a higher bracket for 2005 than you were for 2004 since you are working and see which is the better option.
Working the hours you do, reliable transportation is a MUST. Seriously consider a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic or if Steve wants American, look at the Ford Focus, I know a few people who own one and they seem fairly happy with them.
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Post by AmberC on Mar 1, 2005 9:57:37 GMT -5
ugh, Mechanic thinks it's probably the fuel pump. He'll put the code scanner on it and call me, but from my description of it he thinks it's the fuel pump. Yuck. I'm not fixing it if that's what it is. That will be well over $100, which is far more than what that damn car is worth to me right now! I just want to trade it and get it the hell out of my sight!!!!!
Amber
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Post by Mary Ann on Mar 1, 2005 9:59:27 GMT -5
Excellent advice, Denise. We've donated cars to the SA, and they're delightful to work with. I like your car picks, too!  |
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Post by AmberC on Mar 1, 2005 10:09:57 GMT -5
I thought hte laws changed and you coudln't do that anymore?
Amber
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Post by Chrisnstar on Mar 1, 2005 10:24:13 GMT -5
Amber, even with it being unreliable, you should be able to get what you owe on it in a trade in for a better vehicle. Yes, get shopping! You need something reliable!
chris
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