Car repair tipping point

Well, if you’ve been following along lately, you’ll know about all of the car issues I’ve been having. I’ve been really patient with it because, really, I can manage. As long as I’ve been the only one affected, I’ve been cool with it. Lights go off? No worries: the daytime headlights usually come on in it’s place. The wipers stop working? I wouldn’t be driving out in a storm in the first place! So, driving around has been a bit of an adventure for the last few months.

I’ve taken it to three different mechanics–two of them being mechanics at the dealerships. None of them have been able to figure it out. With the last one, I’ve patiently brought it in multiple times to allow him to test out different theories. Still no luck. I still had hope that it would eventually a solution would be found, and that’s what’s kept me going. All of a sudden though, my patience was very quickly drained as something regrettable happened.

On Sunday morning, I woke up early to go with my parents to the novena mass at 5:30. We were beginning to get some snow at the beginning of a snow storm. The streets were covered because the plows still hadn’t gone through at such an early hour. My wipers were going, clearing snow and giving me clear vision. All of a sudden, the moment that I’d been absolutely dreading came to pass. The lights shut off, the wipers stopped working and the door unlocked. No one else in the car noticed, but I started freaking out on the inside. The first few moments were OK because the snow was just melting as soon as it hit the heated glass. Eventually though, the glare of the street lights were making it difficult to see. Mom started chiding me for not turning on the wipers. I didn’t want to cause a commotion so I just said, “I’m fine. I can see.” I figured it was best that I didn’t qualify that statement with the word “barely” (as much as I wanted to). She was really getting angry with me though for not clearing the windshield. In a moment of exasperation I just yelled, “I can’t!” At that point I had to explain my situation.

I wasn’t happy about that at all. I mean, I was putting my family in danger with this issue. Luckily, due to the hour there really wasn’t anyone else to compete with on the road. Let’s just say though that the situation could have been even worse. Anyway, that was my tipping point for this car. I am now officially at a point where I’m needing to search for another vehicle. I really wish it didn’t have to come to this, but I seriously don’t have a choice anymore. I cannot put myself and other people in danger with this problem anymore. There’s been a lot of heated discussion over what to do/what to buy. I’m very much glad that we can engage in this type of conversation. It really is quite interesting. I’ve sort of narrowed my choices down to a short list. Worst case scenario, the car I’m thinking about will set me back $26K after freight, taxes, etc. God, this all became interesting hasn’t it? I will elaborate on what I’m thinking about in a different entry. Meanwhile, I just want to say that I’m very much thankful that we all made it back home without incident. This is a type of problem that shouldn’t happen at all. The fact that I’m stressing about it is really disgusting.

Possibly related posts:

1. The new car
2. Tipping good service
3. No point in scaring myself