On the run

[days_unfolding]

This might be the end of the Mazda. I brought the car to a service center today to have it smog checked (which, apparently, they don't do on Sundays) and have the oil changed. I also had noticed that it was leaking what I thought was transmission fluid, so I asked them to check.

Sure enough, it's leaking transmission fluid. They recommended having the engine steam cleaned and bringing it back to try to pinpoint the problem. That sounds expensive. (Does anyone know roughly how much the steam cleaning would cost? I suppose I can call them and ask.) I have a feeling that I'll pay for the cleaning and diagnostics to find that the problem is too expensive to be worth fixing.

The leak is very slow, so I'm still driving the car. And I'm figuring out how I could get another car. The timing is not the greatest. (At first, I was thinking that the timing couldn't be worse, but when I wasn't working or really sick would've been much worse). I might be able to swing a new Honda Civic. I'm also considering used cars, although one wouldn't last as long, and I'd be in this situation again. I want to wait until July to get another car, if possible.

Anyway...My work hours have been creeping up again. All the products that the department in which I work supports are shipping this summer, so we'll be in crunch mode all summer. I did wind up staying until 3 AM once doing an online help build, but I worked from home the next day and slept late, so that wasn't so bad. As I said to Erik, as long as I usually can keep my weekends free, I'll consider it a moral victory.

Speaking of Erik, he and I got together for dinner to exchange paperwork. It was a really enjoyable time. He met Harlee, who came over to say hello and check him out. (I'm so proud of her.)

Harlee is breaking my heart. When she hears me come out of the bedroom or (sometimes) in the front door, she comes running over to see me. And then she curls up against the gate, looking forlorn. I've got to make time this week to clean out the living room so that I can let her out.

And finally, I've put the primer coat on part of my garage. It's a start. I also cleaned my patio furniture. I originally had planned to give it to Goodwill, but they won't pick it up. I've decided to offer it for free to people in my complex. My next step is to make flyers to post by all the mailboxes. I would think someone would be interested. I'm hoping to get rid of it before the roof work starts, which was supposed to start now, but I haven't heard anything.

I've spent too long writing this, so...later.

Comments

[cyberpigue.livejournal.com]

The steam-cleaning shouldn't cost you more than 20 or 30 bucks. Your car is probably getting to the point where it will begin needing some major maintenence. Most people opt for a new one at this point. I would consider a used one if it was only a year or two old.

But, you also have the option of spending enough on your existing car to get it through the next few years. Have the stuff done to it that will keep it from rapidly deteriorating rapidly. Replace seals and belts and hoses. Have fluids changed and components checked. If you spent a couple or few grand on it now and it lasted a few more years it would be cheaper in the long run to do that than to spend ten or fifteen grand on a new one. I have been driving this 84 model Gran Fury for over six year now and have a total of five grand in it. Less than four hundred in purchase price and the rest in fix-up money. I just fixed it all at once and haven't been nickeled and dimed to death or inconvenienced with break-downs.

It's a tough decision, but diagnosis on existing problems with a mechanic you really trust is the first step. That hundred dollar process might save you thousands in bad decisions...

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I guess that I overreacted. I'll have the engine cleaned and the work done. I guess part of me really doesn't want the hassle right now (I'll have to take time off of work to have the engine cleaned and I'm really busy at work) and wants a new car, but waiting is the smarter move.

[bandicoot.livejournal.com]

Awww - Harlee is laying a guilt trip on you. Kitties are sooooo good at that ;) She sounds like a different cat now.

Pigue's car points are very good. Steam cleaning is cheap, and if there isn't anything major wrong and it continues to pass Smog, you can keep driving it and, for example, just keep your eye on the transmission fluid level so it doesn't get low, adding fluid as needed. No big deal. That's much cheaper than doing major transmission maintenance. I'm sure they'll have more to say when they see the clean car ;)

My vehicles are quite old, an 81 Colt and an 85 Toyota 4x4. I don't mind the maintenance because I do all my own work on them and enjoy doing that to a point. And I also don't put tons of miles on them. When it comes time to get a new car, I have no idea what I'd want, other than a large inheritance to pay for it ;)

[days-unfolding.livejournal.com]

Harlee does seem like a different cat! She even was rubbing against my legs when I came in "her" room. She seems to have completely accepted me. She's also sleeping on the couch rather than under the couch much of the time.

I don't think that she's guilt-tripping me though. I don't think that she's comfortable enough with me yet. She also seems fairly guileless, like Random. Chaos, on the other hand, was a master of the cold shoulder.

As I said to Pigue, I'll have the engine cleaned and the work done on the car.