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Because I have it to spend...
Apr. 20th, 2005 10:34 pmSo the day started off OH so well. Got in car to drive to work... when car is in motion it makes a strange sound- like I'm dragging something. So I get out to check- nope, nothing under the car. Try going again, still sounds bad. So, I park, go back upstairs and wake the Beau- he does know more about cars then me. He fiddles for a bit and then it's clear- a mechanic must be sought.
Initially, upon driving it to the nearest mechanic (luckily just up the street), it seemed that the problem was frozen brakes, or something. Leave car with mechanic, come home, nap while we can (before Beau has to go to class) before Mack the mechanic calls. Beau asks me to 'invoke the goddess, or whatever' to try to keep the bill under $500. Apparently I messed up initially. So, Mack calls about 45 minutes later.
Simple brake problem? Oh no... The right spring coil in the strut broke. The total estimated repair for both front struts (if the mount had to be replaced) $1,098, if the mount was fine- $800-something. Yeah, cause we have that kind of spare cash lying around. Told Mack I would call him back in a few minutes, and then had a small panic attack. Call the Mom to borrow money- cause yeah... Get it all figured out and the Beau went off to class. Talk to temp company, let them know that I won't be at my assignment (an update, I called them earlier).
Then brain engaged. I have a warranty (extended warranty from when I bought the car) perhaps this is covered? So I check... and thus began a struggle that continued until mid-afternoon. While yes I have a warranty, and yes, struts, springs, etc., are covered... there was more. Also, this wasn't a dealership and the company didn't want to approve the work for a non-dealership. So I yelled at them. :) (Okay, there's more leading up to that, the mechanic spoke to them and they said I could sign a waiver to approve my mechanic, the rep I talked to said no such thing existed- AND was rude to me. So I got upset and ended up talking to a supervisor and got my way.)
So, total repairs: New front struts, coil springs, possibly mounts, new manifold intake (this was the sticker for the warranty company, and a new battery. All told the bill would have been well over $1,500. In the end, I'm paying $275.53. Oh, and can breathe again. ;)
Initially, upon driving it to the nearest mechanic (luckily just up the street), it seemed that the problem was frozen brakes, or something. Leave car with mechanic, come home, nap while we can (before Beau has to go to class) before Mack the mechanic calls. Beau asks me to 'invoke the goddess, or whatever' to try to keep the bill under $500. Apparently I messed up initially. So, Mack calls about 45 minutes later.
Simple brake problem? Oh no... The right spring coil in the strut broke. The total estimated repair for both front struts (if the mount had to be replaced) $1,098, if the mount was fine- $800-something. Yeah, cause we have that kind of spare cash lying around. Told Mack I would call him back in a few minutes, and then had a small panic attack. Call the Mom to borrow money- cause yeah... Get it all figured out and the Beau went off to class. Talk to temp company, let them know that I won't be at my assignment (an update, I called them earlier).
Then brain engaged. I have a warranty (extended warranty from when I bought the car) perhaps this is covered? So I check... and thus began a struggle that continued until mid-afternoon. While yes I have a warranty, and yes, struts, springs, etc., are covered... there was more. Also, this wasn't a dealership and the company didn't want to approve the work for a non-dealership. So I yelled at them. :) (Okay, there's more leading up to that, the mechanic spoke to them and they said I could sign a waiver to approve my mechanic, the rep I talked to said no such thing existed- AND was rude to me. So I got upset and ended up talking to a supervisor and got my way.)
So, total repairs: New front struts, coil springs, possibly mounts, new manifold intake (this was the sticker for the warranty company, and a new battery. All told the bill would have been well over $1,500. In the end, I'm paying $275.53. Oh, and can breathe again. ;)
