Car Repair Meme

[rolanni]

Took my car in for its annual state inspection today. It failed, of course. My car is a chronic underachiever. This time it needs -- according to the mechanics -- new struts and new front brakes, for an estimated total repair bill of $450.01. They didn't say anything about the rust. Small blessings, I guess. I have a ten working day grace period to get the repairs done. [Insert appropriate amounts of cussing and fussing here.]

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield promised last Thursday to put information about the state's new Dirigo Health Plan in the mail to me immediately. Do I really need to report that, as of today, this material has not arrived? None of the material Anthem BCBS has promised to mail me immediately across the last two years has ever arrived. Funny thing about that: the bills get here just fine.
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Project: Crystal Dragon
New Words Written: 1083
Total Words: 22,324
Goal: A brand new Cadillac CTS-V in Raven Black with Ebony leather interior and the trust fund to pay for the insurance

Comments

Re: Dream, Dream--

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I forgot to buy a ticket this week. Gotta get on the stick or I'll never make any money.

My car's a '91 Park Avenue which was A Very Nice Vehicle in its salad days. Not that I owned it then. It has, to be fair, never let me down (well, except the air conditioning, but who needs air conditioning in Maine?). Problem is, the body's starting to rust Bad -- chronic problem for vehicles up here -- I was surprised they didn't ding me for it this time. I figure I've got maybe one more year, assuming I do this year's repairs (which I doubtless will, because, face it, where can I buy the use of a car for a year for $450?), then that Caddy better be sitting in the driveway with the key in the ignition.

Re: Dream, Dream--

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Problem is, the body's starting to rust Bad -- chronic problem for vehicles up here -- I was surprised they didn't ding me for it this time. I figure I've got maybe one more year, assuming I do this year's repairs (which I doubtless will, because, face it, where can I buy the use of a car for a year for $450?), then that Caddy better be sitting in the driveway with the key in the ignition.

Rust, I know--grew up in northern Indiana. Dad drove his Olds off the lot and into Zbart's lot, before dealerships started sealing them. That car lived to be sixteen when my Dad gave it to my cousin--and he drove it two years before selling it!

Not free of rust--but if the next owner had not tried to turn it into a low rider without checking the undersides first, it would still be running...

You know...I don't know how brave you and kinzel feel about home repairs, but automotive putty isn't that scary to work with--I made a sculpture out of it once. It works like Epoxy, you mix two ingredients to activate it. It will set up very fast in the heat, but in Maine's climate, you'd have plenty of time to work with it. You wouldn't even have to worry about sanding it smooth, if you didn't care about that--I doubt smooth is required by the state.

If any of the rust spots are getting big, you might need to spread some fiberglass mesh across the area, or whatever they use these days--to have something to build the putty on.

Just an idea. But if that's all that is wrong with the car, a good driving car is worth a little effort.