Cars

The Van

The van needed some work. Not just for one problem, mind you, but a few little issues and one major concern. I made an appointment with a local trusted mechanic, but couldn't get the van in for almost two weeks. Instead, we decided to just go to the local dealership where we had had many problems fixed in the past. I get the call from my wife. The news is not good:

1) Radiator has a leak. Estimate to fix: $680

2) Power doors do not work. Estimate to fix: $500

3) Backup lights -- were not working but now are. $0

4) Power window not working. Estimate to fix: $320

Yeah -- that is $1500, which doesn't even count the backup lights which now seem to work but may need to be fixed in the future. I wasn't wanting to fork over $1500, so we told them we would just get the van back and think about it. My plan: keep the appointment with the trusted mechanic and see what that shop says.

I go to pick up the van and pay the bill. I notice:

1) All door locks except one are now working

2) Power window is now working

3) And, of course, the backup lights are now working

Total cost: $92

I'll let the local mechanic give us an estimate on the radiator.

The Mustang

My son had just gotten his drivers license last week. I flipped him the keys to my Mustang so that he could drive it home from the dealership while I paid for the van diagnostics. We gave him directions home since he just started driving and was unfamiliar with the local roads. The route home was made easy: left on Prospect Ave, right on Springfield Ave, left on Staley Road.

As I drove home, the phone calls began.

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son: "Dad, I think I drove past Springfield."

lightning: "What road are you on?"

son: "Prospect."

lightning: "Go to the next major road and turn right."

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son: "Dad, I don't know where I am."

lightning: "What road are you on?"

son: "Willow."

lightning: "I don't know where Willow is."

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son: "Dad, the car has a flat tire?"

lightning: "What did you do?"

son: "Dad, I think I wrecked the car."

Just another tricky day ...