…is what I got for poor old George. He got hauled away on the back of a flatbed this afternoon. The “recycling center” offered me $230 but then I had to pay for towing; the towing guy gave me $200 and said he’d make some off the tires and such. It meant I didn’t have to drive back to Cassville. I have a history of driving cars until they are dead – because I really hate car shopping – but this is a first.
Got the new(ish) car this morning. It’s rather nice to have a car I know will get me from place to place again. After further research last night, I decided it was the best choice I could make. Damn even used cars are expensive. I still feel guilty taking help from Dad but I just don’t have a choice at the moment. And at least I can make payments that I can afford to him and that’ll make me feel better.
George is dead. Long live George IV.
Oh dear, that’s not much. But you need a car so really you had no choice at all. And your dad benefits from you having the car, so I’m sure he’s pleased to help. I’ve never named my cars but might start now!
Dad and I have had our problems over the years but he has always been willing to help out in financial crisis. It is really the only way he has had of expressing love, which is sad but still better than his relationship with his own father. The problem I have is the dementia. I really don’t want to take advantage of him, but you’re right. He would have helped anyway.
Yes, you need the car to take your dad to see Mom and appts etc.
My cars were Agnes, Cindy, Quentin and Bernie.
I always felt so vulnerable (as a woman) when doing anything car – car shopping, car repairs, maintenance, etc. I used to go to this cheap oil change place that also sold tires. The guy came in and said I needed new tires and wanted to sell me some used ones. I took it to my repair garage and asked them to look at the tires and they came back and said “those are top of the line Michelins and I’d rate them “near new”.
My folks used to call their cars Bessie and Lizzie. When they bought Toyotas and Nissans back in the 70s for the first time, they called them Bessiyama and Lizzimoto. My first car was known as the Yellow Submarine and/or the Little Yellow Bus but after that, no matter what I tried to name the car it ended up being George. This time I just gave in and called him George from the start.
My favorite car repair scam was the guy from Firestone in NKC that told me that ALL THREE of my belts needed to be replaced almost immediately. It happened that I had dealer maintenance scheduled later that week so I asked them. They told me that the ONE serpentine belt was just fine, thank you very much. You do have to be careful. You either have to have a repair shop you trust or a knowledgeable friend. I’ve considered taking a course in car maintenance but just can’t quite imagine myself crawling under my car.
I’m so glad you are in a safe, dependable car. I just had to buy one for the first time since 2001 (I keep mine a long time, too).
Yup Hannah, I bought George III in the summer of 2001, too. I just hate car shopping. What’d you get?
Well, what did you get?? I’m glad that you have reliable transportation!!
Oh! It’s a 2007 Grand Marquis. Has a good reputation and easily serviced locally. I didn’t care what kind of car it was – if I could afford whatever I wanted I probably would have gone for some kind of hybrid. But it’s in really good shape and according to my completely trustworthy salesman, he sold it to the original owner and the dealership did all the maintenance. It has two unexpected… no wait, three…. features I have ended up really liking. Keyless entry – who knew that would be such a nice thing to have? No more digging my keys out of my pocket until I’m in the car. Adjustable pedals – my damaged leg can’t lift my toes high enough to use the brake so I drive two footed. The pedals can be moved in an out till they’re the perfect distance for my difficult knee. And heated seats. Always sounded a bit silly unless you live in Siberia but turns out they feel great on my back and hip after rehab.
I have never heard of adjustable pedals – how cool.
It sounds like a practically perfect match, Zaz!
I bought a little Hyundai. I love not having to rent a car every time I want to visit my Mom. I gave my old Saturn to my new daughter about three years ago and have been bumming rides ever since. For some odd reason (and I don’t recall who named it – maybe my niece when she was small) it was named “The Silver Satsuma”. Great little car – still runs well, but it isn’t mine anymore. And I no longer have a company car at my disposable, so it was time to take the leap. I HATE the car-buying process but this time I used Costco’s Auto Program and it was fairly painless.
I meant to say that I love the funny names your parents gave their cars! You must miss that sense of humor from them. You have it, you know. I couldn’t read the culinary forum when anyone was in the kitchen because I laughed so much.
I miss that place back when it was fun. I peaked in a few times over the years but it seems to be so dry and boring now.
I’m pretty sure we Usual Suspects were the only ones who wanted fun.
With all the stress in culinary careers, one would think a bit of levity would be welcomed, but no.