One car down - One to go
posted in auto |One thing I haven’t written about - our car situation.
Luckily, my wife and I own our cars - a 1996 Honda Civic and a 1997 Honda Civic.
Last month, we had that freak snow storm on a Saturday that generated black ice on my often-traveled road home from our friend’s apartment. Due to someone hitting that ice, they now blocked the road (instead of moving her car out of the way she was walking around it with her cell phone in her hands). I hit the same patch of ice and narrowly maneuvered my car to the right - sliding into a curb and scaring the crap out of my pregnant wife (the baby is fine). The girl didn’t come over - she stared, hopped into her car and did her best to get out of there.
I moved my car forward to get out of the line of traffic, called the police, and AAA - the police were “swamped” and despite me seeing two more wrecks behind me they said they wouldn’t do anything for that intersection.
I also found out my insurance agent had changed our policy and I hadn’t reviewed it - the car we were driving (96 Civic) has liability only coverage. No insurance help. Luckily, a friend-of-a-friend is a mechanic that just happened to have a ‘96 Civic - he only wanted the engine. Two knew balance rims and tires later (and $80) I thought I was good - until I drove my car down the road.
LOUD HUM. Sounds like the tires rubbing - I figured an alignment would be needed. No biggie.
Needs new ball bearings on the front and back, and a bent control arm on the drivers side (and one more bent part which I can’t remember). Seriously?
Now they’re talking $1000 in repairs - luckily my wife and I have gotten used to one car living - we’re going to comparison shop the repairs and see if our mechanic friend can fix it (and more than likely, I’ll be going to him for it). I’ve ran the values on my car - and yes, getting it fixed is worth it - until next wreck, anyways.
Next on the Agenda - calling up our insurance agent and asking what’s the deal with our insurance.
Next post - how to get better rates on car insurance!
