As expected, the car didn't start so I had to get a tow from downtown Cleveland back to the old homestead. Another 1/2 hour goes by. Finally the tow truck arrives and we have to push my car backwards up the slight incline of the garage so he can get it on the tow rig. All while other business folks parked on floors above me are trying to leave. Oh, and there was an Indians game that evening.
We finally get on the road and drop it off at the garage where I'm going to get it fixed. Turns out to be a camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor, which is part of the electronic distributer system. Like most people, if they told me that the microwave oven in the engine needed replacing, I'd be at their mercy. Anyway, my 10 year old baby was fixed in 2 days for the low, low price of $900.
Fast forward about a week and a half to this past Tuesday. I'm minding my own business driving to work. As is good practice when you encounter traffic stopped at a light, I stopped as well. Unfortunately, someone 4 cars behind me decided not to stop. The end result was a 6 car pileup in which 4 cars, including mine, were totaled (see my poor baby below). No one was seriously injured but my poor car, which I had taken great care of and was in terrific shape despite her advanced years, is now gone.
Yes, I was already shopping for new cars and was planning to buy before Fall. Yes, my car's market value wasn't that great. Nonetheless, I tend to get attached to my cars like others get attached to pets. I usually have my cars for 6+ years. I still hand wash and wax them. I keep the interior clean and the trunk almost empty. I religiously get oil changes. So, despite being ready to move on from my 98 Avenger, I'm still sad that it was taken from me rather than me saying goodbye on my own terms. I've now bought a new Altima coupe and should have it in a couple days. I'm sure it will be a nice car and I'll get attached to it. It's my first new car, as I usually buy used. Buying used is kind of like getting a dog from the pound. Somehow the car is a bit more lovable. I'll miss my Avenger. Despite the $900 repair and new tires that now seem like a waste, she was a good car for me and I enjoyed having her.
5 comments:
It's odd. I used to be so attached to my stuff. Whether it was a car or a camera, or whatever, I held such attachments to things.
I'm not sure why - certainly through no conscious effort - I have lost most of my attachment to my stuff. You tend to have very little stuff, I know. However, I have a lot of stuff. Somehow though, it stopped meaning anything to me.
That's not to say I don't treat my stuff well, and take care of things. However, I just seem to miss my stuff a lot less when it goes away now. I think I'm just too jaded or something.
Recently, my old car was taken away for being on the street with expired plates. I was gonna sell it for parts anyway, so it was no big deal. As you know, instead of picking it up from the impound lot, I told them to "crush it;" saving myself about $500 and many new headaches.
I don't give a damn about them crushing the car. I just don't care. And yeah, I put a lot less loving care into my cars, but that's irrelevant. Even the stuff I used to be all picky and caring about is just not important to me any longer.
The only thing that matters to me is people - and most of them suck.
Happy comment, huh?!
Hah.
Oh Lord, well, happy belated birthday.
My brother in law still drives my sister's red Honda civic which is about 20 years old. "Bo Johnny" has been in the family a long time. It's just one of those workhorse cars. It doesn't really suit my sister's massive gardening habit but it gets her hubby to and from work.
What really sucks is plunking down 900 bucks so you could start your car again long enough for someone to wreck it. I am so sorry. Oyveh, is that ever a lesson in detachment. I'm sure glad you weren't hurt, though.
Boring - Funny, as I was reading your comment I was actually thinking that you're a lot more attached to people than I am. I supposed it's a better way to live to be attached to people rather than things but I guess I find that possessions let me down less often. Well, maybe not less often but when inanimate objects let you down it is at least with no malice.
Mando - I suppose there's a lesson learned but the older I get the more I realize that who we are at our core really doesn't change. I'll take care of my new car as I have all my cars and I'll be just as upset when something happens.
Sorry about the crappy birthday you had, and what a bummer about the car wreck! Glad you aren't hurt.
I really love my car, but if it needed replacing my main sentimental issue would be the loss of my bumper stickers.
Silly...
But the $$$ part of it would drive me so crazy that sentiments wouldn't matter.
Blue - That's funny. I tend not to put stickers on my car but I often wonder about people who do because they are often carefully chosen. I guess that's another potential problem if the car gets hit. Some of those stickers might not be easy to get anymore.
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