Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The car-troll says hi!

Come on, I couldn't have been lucky enough to be passed by the car-troll. I knew he'd be coming over. Well, he finally did drop by and left me with a couple of quotes, and a very... strange situation.

First, what's up with the car: it needs 4 new tires, as the current ones it has are very worn. Dangerously worn. We got them from the junkyard when we got the rims, so I wasn't too surprised. But we need them soon, as the front passenger tire seems to have broken some of its innards and the car has stability issues. I was quoted for $58.16 in labor and $339.92 for pieces. Total with tax JUST for the tires: $418.48.

There's also something wrong with the chassis, sway bars and hub assembly. No, I have no idea what any of that is, but I was quoted $389.99 for labor (HA!), $154.95 for parts, and $554.24 for all with taxes. Almost $1000 between both repairs. Of course, it had to happen on the worst week of all, as I will be traveling to SC this weekend. I will try to have it figured out by Sunday, at least the tires. I really don't want to risk a blowout.

Of course, I took the quote and went my merry way. On a financial tangent, the lady handed me the quotes sort of expected me to be terrified and dismayed. She even opened up saying that she knows that nobody can afford both of these at the time, what with balancing paychecks and trying to split the expenses and bills... I couldn't help but to smirk inside, because I guess they're used to seeing people like that; with no savings, no safety net to fall into. I'm happy that I do have some sort of safety that even if I had no choice but to fork over $1k, I wouldn't lose much sleep. I'd be mad and upset, but it'd be ok.

Anyway, online prices showed me a very different story. There's no huge savings on the tires unless I go used, but on the second piece of the quote, all the extra things, my dad thinks he can install the pieces, if I buy them. I looked each part online, and I could spend less than $100 on all, and save $390 on labor. Good deal, no? We'll see how it plays out.

Now for the kicker: one of my younger brother decided he's picking up and going to Texas. I knew he had plans to go at some point. Even the people at my PT job knew before I did. What I didn't know was that it was gonna happen next week. And that my brother wants my car, because my dad told him I was buying a new car soon (which is true, but not THAT soon). So he texted me and asked if he could have that car before he moves, and I could drive his piece of junk car until I do buy something else. Uh, no. Not at all. His car is a death trap with historic tags that leaks oil and needs a quart every 40 miles. Add to the drama that my other brother, whose graduation I am attending, is looking to change/sell his car. It's a 2011 Ford Fiesta. I know nothing else of it. I may consider it if the price is right... very right. I doubt it is, since he bought it new in 2012 after dumping my dad's car and the loan back to my parents when he got tired of the car and almost let it get repossessed at my expense. Ahem. If I am to buy that car, the price would have to be below 8-10k, which I don't think it is. I wont exert my finances to do anyone any favors.

It should be a very interesting weekend, I can tell you that much!

24 comments:

  1. Would you consider a rental car for the drive to SC? I would really hate for something to happen on a long trip.

    I had to read your post a few times to follow all the brothers and the cars....your family exhausts ME, and I don't even have to deal with them. Bless you.

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    1. Oh, no. I'm actually flying to SC. No way I would drive on this car, and I don't have enough time to fix it before the trip, which is tomorrow night! And sorry. I should go back to Brother #2 and #3. But I don't talk enough about them to keep an order.

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    2. Oh good...I thought you were DRIVING....and I was so scared for you!!

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  2. Yep, sounds like you have a lot of drama coming your way :) I would tell your brother to back off. Seriously! As for the repairs, I would try to find a good mechanic that could help you by the word of mouth. Do you have facebook? You could ask your friends or colleagues if the know somebody. We did it a couple of years ago and now have an amazing and honest mechanic who fixes both of our cars and helps us find discount parts too. Just my 2 cents :)

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    1. Oh, this place is as good as it gets. But if my dad can't put the parts in himself (chances are he can), then I'd go to a smaller mechanic, friends of my dad. No way I'd pay that much in labor... no way.

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  3. Texas? Why is everyone coming here?! We're a red state, people hate us lol

    Is that 1K something you could put down on new car?

    HS

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    1. For the record, one of the reasons I like Texas is because its a red state and almost everything is better when its bigger.

      I agree on possibly putting that 1k down on a new car though.

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    2. Haha. No idea on why TX of all places. Mostly to be closer to my younger brother who is in the airforce, is my guess. Beyond that, your guess is as good as mine!

      The $1k would come from my car down-payment fund (which is $4k at the moment). I don't feel like taking it out of my EF for such a reason.

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  4. If you trust your dad to do the repairs it would be much cheaper but that worries me a bit. Also how well did your brother treat his Fiesta? He doesn't sound like the sort of person who takes good care of things!! If you're going to replace your car soon then used tires are fine but I'd buy NEW if you're going to keep it any length of time - as the old commercial goes "there's a lot riding on your tires!"

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    1. Oh, I trust my dad to fix it, If he can, 100%. He'd never do a shoddy or half done work. If he can't do it, he will tell me he can't. I think my brother treated the Fiesta well; he worked within miles of his apartment and didn't really go places. However, it's probably on a bad loan (high interest), or he hasn't paid it down enough for it to be affordable for me.

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  5. You're a smart person. You've saved money for unexpected expenses. And your dad can save you a lot of money. Buy him DINNER! Quite frankly, I rely on 3 or 4 friends to do everything but my tire work (none of them have the tools). I can't count the money I've saved over the years because of their knowledge and willingness to crawl under MY truck! All for a 6 pack! I am truly thankful for them. Of course, I try to pay them back by doing electrical and electronic stuff for them. (Not to mention I was their scoutmaster for years and years!)

    But I would NEVER buy used tires. Tires are too important to vehicle safety. Last time I put tires on my truck, it was an $814 day - 4 tires, plus mounting, and repairing one Tire Pressure Monitoring sensor. Now I have to get them rotated, and another TPM sensor fixed. That will be $200. But it has to be done before I go to bloggerpalooza in 3 weeks!

    Peace <3
    Jay

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    1. Oh, ouch! $800 for tires! I guess I should feel lucky! And yeah... I need more mechanic friends.

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    2. Tires are always expensive for trucks. Samanath's car's tires shouldn't cost nearly that.

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  6. Goodyear is having a tire sale(dd just had to get two) so shop around. Check everyplace. And for the love of God do not buy your brothers car, do not take your other brothers car. For once Tanner get the car you want, with the good credit you have earned and the money you have saved. There comes a time when you have to start just doing things for yourself. Let your brothers do what ever but you already know what kind of car you want so don't change that!

    Please don't make me drive up the mountain and get sluggy and then I would have to get Kim, then all the way over to get cindi and jane so we can kick your hiney. But don't worry we will bring jay and make him drive.

    Buy the car you want. You worked for it. Sorry I guess my panties are in a bunch today :)

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    1. Though I never considered a Ford, it's not a bad looking car! And now I am torn between forcing such a get-together or doing the right thing... decisions, decisions! (I kid, I kid). I wouldn't mind buying it if it's at a good price. I'm not dead set on a Hyundai... though it's at the top of my list.

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    2. Thats it Im getting sluggy and the gang and we are going with you!

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  7. My first thought was that you should take all car keys with you this weekend, because I don't trust your brother -- after that, ditto what J udy said.

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    1. Haha... good thing the car is staying at the airport while I'm out. I don't think they'd be THAT bad to drive off with my car. Wouldn't that be illegal?!

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  8. Like Jane said, if your bro took good care of this Fiesta car and didn't pile the miles on it, see if you can assume his loan(IF it's not a real high interest note)and take over the payments and the car.
    And if you end up letting the bro going to TX have Sam's car, make him PAY for it....no tradsies!

    Or like Judy said-let them all pound sand and go get what YOU want....then offer your old car to TX bro for a price. hehehe
    And yes, we'll come kick your ass. I'll be in Delaware in 2 weeks, so I can stop for Judy and bring Jay along too....if I can find your house. lol

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    1. Yeah... we'll see about that this weekend.

      I don't think I can make him pay for the car, since it's under my dad's name. And we don't really sell stuff within the family. I don't think I'd get a whole lot either.

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  9. And have a good trip....enjoy yourself!!! Take lots of pictures to share with us....

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  10. And don't buy one of these cars.....
    http://autos.yahoo.com/photos/these-are-the-10-costliest-cars-to-insure-1393458084-slideshow/

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    1. Haha. I think I'm safe. No Mercedes or Audi for me!

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  11. Having car problems will always give us a headache, especially when it would cost thousands to repair. It’s a good thing that you did some research online for the possible shops where you can buy parts that’s way more affordable. At least you were able to choose from different options you may have for your car. And thankfully your dad can help you with the repairs, to avoid the somewhat ridiculous labor fees some auto shops charge.

    Olga

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