Automotive Blues

[SlickTony]

I think I might have mentioned that a few months ago my son spun out his car, a 1990 Nissan 240SX that used to be mine, and fetched up against a palm tree just outside the local mall...

He couldn't drive it after that, of course, and while we were waiting for funding to get him something different, he was driving my car, a Toyota Rav4, all over the place, and I was taking the bus to work.

Last Saturday I bought him a '97 Mazda 626 LS which he'd seen at the same place where I'd bought the Rav4, which I have been very satisfied with. It had way more bells and whistles than what he was driving, including a sunroof and oscillating air conditioner vents. However, within a few days, transmission problems began to make themselves known.

So he took the car back to the dealer, who sent him to a transmission place, with the understanding that if the problem was minor, they'd repair it; if major, they'd offer him another car. In the meantime, he and his dad noticed a blackberry colored 1999 Saturn SC2. I ended up getting that for him, because my husband had gone on line and read that the Mazdas are prone to transmission problems.

The Saturn has a 3rd door. I'd never seen a 3rd door before, but I think that all cars with underdeveloped back seats should have them.

We still have to get rid of the 240SX. I've started the procedure for donating it via Car Talk to benefit my public radio station, and for the tax deduction.

Do I have my Rav4 back? No, I do not. A couple of weeks ago I was having my son drive me in to work, and some fool chick in an Explorer ran the red light and crashed into us. Since it was totally her fault, her insurance is paying to have my car mended. It would have been ready days ago, but the accident popped the windshield washer bottle, and that's what they're waiting on. It seems they are on national backorder. While I am waiting for my car to be fixed, I am driving a Dodge Journey that is eating me out of house and home.

 

[TE999]

It would seem that you have bad mojo when it comes to cars (or trucks). I think you'll be more satisfied with the Saturn in the long run rather than the Mazda which has a spotty Frequency of Repair record. The Saturn brand's future is uncertain after 2011, but parts should be still avaiable.

Why doesn't the body shop find a windshield washer bottle at a junkyard instead of making you wait so long?

 

[Handley_Page]

On the other hand, maybe Tony's son might be stuck with a bicycle for a while !.

 

[JagFarlane]

Well you should be happy with the Saturn. In my family we've had several Saturns.

Dad/I [my first car] had a '91 SL that hit 300K miles before I turned it in.
Mom has had a SL2, SC2, and has another one whose model I can't recall.

 

[SlickTony]

Why doesn't the body shop find a windshield washer bottle at a junkyard instead of making you wait so long?

That's a thought...but it could be against State Farm's policy. Also, lot of cars in junkyards are there because of accidents, in which case, their windshield washer bottles might have been smashed, too.

 

[jomar]

Or, why can't you have your Rav4 until the bottle comes in if everything else is fixed? I have mine until the cup holder gets in.

 

[SlickTony]

Or, why can't you have your Rav4 until the bottle comes in if everything else is fixed? I have mine until the cup holder gets in.

They told me they could NOT put the front bumper back on until they'd put in the bottle--evidently, they have to take it off again when they do put in the bottle. Anyway, as much pollen and bugs and dust and other things that get on a windshield, I shouldn't like to go about without a functioning windshield washer.

 

[TE999]

That's a thought...but it could be against State Farm's policy. Also, lot of cars in junkyards are there because of accidents, in which case, their windshield washer bottles might have been smashed, too.

Could be. Altho State Farm replaced my truck's rear bumper with a used one in perfect shape when a new one couldn't be found.

Many junkyards remove intact parts like that and put 'em in bins for easy access.

 

[DeeZire]

They told me they could NOT put the front bumper back on until they'd put in the bottle--evidently, they have to take it off again when they do put in the bottle. Anyway, as much pollen and bugs and dust and other things that get on a windshield, I shouldn't like to go about without a functioning windshield washer.

Perhaps you could ask someone at State Farm to do the math - how long can they afford to keep renting you a car before the rent equals more than the cost of R&R'ing the bumper when the back-ordered bottle finally comes in?

Another consideration - people were driving cars for years in your area before someone invented the built-in windshield washer. I suspect, in the old days, they survived by having the service station dude wash the windshield, which you could do yourself with a rag and a bottle of Windex. Of course, if the convenience of a built-in windshield washer is worth the extra money you're paying for gas on the rental, I guess the trade-off is worthwhile.

 

[jomar]

I see. Maybe they can get you a smaller car the uses less gas until the Rav is repaired.

 

[SlickTony]

Every time I put gas in the behemoth, I think it's going to be the last time, and then it isn't. The other day my son took a call from Enterprise--he said they'd just wanted to know how the Journey was working out for me, but if they get in touch with me later and tell me I either have to turn it in or start paying on it myself, I'll be happy to turn it in. The Saturday after the accident, I very urgently needed something I could take to the road with, and I'd have accepted anything I was physically able to drive.

Actually, when I get the Rav4 back, I'll be happy to drive it to Publix and to church, and start taking the bus to work again. Since gas is creeping up again, I could use the savings.

 

[SlickTony]

Yes, I've got my car back! I'm very glad. The Behemoth had some good features, but I don't like to have to do that much thinking and planning when I park.

 

[Elianna]

I just read this thread. I am SO sad about the 240 SX. That was my first car in high school. I looked so cute in it, too. Two years later, it was the collegemobile. It went up and down the mountains like nothing while all the other cars gasped and wheezed their way up the hills. I got pulled over going 90 something in it on a downhill, but the cop was nice and gave me a warning. Then... in time, it died. Sigh. I loved that car. If I didn't think I'd still be going 90-ish downhill in another sports car, I'd get the Z.

Now I also have a sensible Rav, but I'm older and more cautious now (photo radar is also a nice little deterent).

Ah. The good old days.