Car info and run down...

[lithera]

So... The reason the car isn't working, is that the battery cables are horrible. The alternator is fine, the solinoid is fine and the starter is fine. So, they're changing those out.

While looking at the car, they found some other things that would become serious issues for me shortly, such as a few seals breaking in places and oil going into part of the engine where it shouldn't and so on and so forth. So, we're also going to fix up the oil leaks and clean that stuff out.

I need new a while bunch of things that would cost me more if I got them done individually but are covered by their maitneance program and so I'm getting that done too. (Spark plugs, oil filter, oil change, spark plug chain (I think that's what he said) and so on and so forth.)

There are a few other things they found that they told me about but I'm not going to get them done right now because I really, really do not have the money for them and they aren't needed. Taking the transmission out and doing things with that and all that stuff...

Well, it is more than I wanted to pay but we're getting a lot of stuff fixed. I'll just be in debt a little while longer but... the car will run and be safe.

The grand total of everything, had I gotten everything, would have been more than I paid for the car but the total for this is... within what I was comfortable paying, though just barely.

Ouch. I'm going to be... well... If I hadn't already been locking down on my money next month, I would be now. It's all about proper allocation of willpower.

Comments

[bloolark.livejournal.com]

Having a car is sort of like having a house. It costs a lot. *glances back at her garage door quote*

You're still planning on coming up in Feb, right?

[thezzyzx.livejournal.com]

Will power?

Good thing this isn't me. I mean if I were a Green Lantern, I MIGHT be able to lift a pencil with the ring...

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I'm still planning on coming up first weekend in Feb. It is a bit more money than I should likely spend with all of this coming down but... to be honest... I need the trip. Mental Health.

Been looking forward to it far too long not to go. Planning on driving up Thursday night.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

I have a ton of willpower. It's just been MIA for the past few months. I think I'm rediscovering it.

[bloolark.livejournal.com]

Cool. :) We're looking forward to having you.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to seeing you guys.

And the new puppy!

[jameel.livejournal.com]

A good rule of thumb, at least in Pittsburgh, is to expect to pay a total of $3500 for a used car. If the car costs you less than that, expect to pay the difference in repairs and maintenance within the first year.

[fireballof3.livejournal.com]

Make sure you get an itemized invoice (all parts all labor broken out individually) when they're done.

Also, make sure you get the old parts they replaced, too.

That way, after it's all said & done, if something's broken that they recently fixed, you can bring it back and say "you fixed it wrong the first time." and get them to do it right the second time.

Also, with the old parts in hand, you can be assured that they replaced what they said they did, and didn't just CLAIM to have replaced stuff.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Heh. Well, that makes me feel a bit better, really.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Thanks Mike.

I got the breakdown on all of the stuff over the phone before I agreed to having anything done and I'll make sure to get one printed out before I pay anything. I'll remember the parts thing for when I go to pick it up. I want to see what some of this stuff looks like, anyway.

[crispengray.livejournal.com]

Hmmm.

So would these things they discovered have cost more if they had gone untreated a while longer?

Perhaps... just perhaps... the bad day was just a way to prevent a future much-worse day.

Maybe.

[fireballof3.livejournal.com]

*nods*

Might be good to call them and mention that you're going to want the old parts taken off the car, too.

That way they can set them all aside for you (as most places will jsut chuck spark plugs and such)

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

*grins*

That's what I'm thinking. A chunk of money now is much, much better than having to find a new car. The oil leaks were making my engine into a swamp, apparently.

[lithera.livejournal.com]

*nods* I'll give them a call at lunch.

Thanks!

[jeditigger.livejournal.com]

That's GREAT news!!!

[eggiebert.livejournal.com]

/wipes forhead/

Yeah for it being something that is reparable. And yeah for catching potential issues before they become issues.