“There Is STILL A Light…” Part 2
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As you can see from above, the “Service Engine Soon” light is still on, which prevents my car from passing emissions. If you are just joining us, read the first installment here.
In this annual on-going battle to make it legal to drive my car on the roads, I am once again needing to spend almost $1,000. Last year it was the O2 sensors ($850). The year before, it was some manifold replacement ($700). This year’s “issue”: the catalytic converter ($900).
Ok….I’ll be honest here. I’m no expert when it comes to knowing how a car works. I know some logistics, but I am not skilled in knowing how to fix cars. I do, however, make sure I keep them maintained with regular oil changes and the such. And it’s not like the car is a broken down piece-of-shit….. it works perfectly. I’ve never once had any major issues with it. It gets 28-35 mpg on a regular basis. But for some reason, a few weeks before I need to get it licensed each year, there is always something that prevents it from passing the emissions certification that the state of Utah requires before sending out new license plate tags.
So each year, I consider dumping the car and getting a different one. And the temptation this year is greater: I made my last payment on it in February. And as much as I need to take that car payment that I was making and apply it to my growing credit card debt, the thought of having a brand new car that is covered under a warranty would remove the stress and anxiety I experience each year.
Decisions, Decisions
As the weekend approaches, I am going to evaluate all options before making a decision on Monday. The two I am considering are:
OR
So until Monday, when I make my final decision, tip a glass and drink often.
above image is free to download and use from (c) Adam Hart-Davis
I will be drinking early and often tonight. Lots of wine. I just forked over $450 for a new alternator and a couple other routine items of maintenance on my truck. Between my wife and I, I think we’ve spent a couple grand on our vehicles in the last year and a half. Sick and wrong.
I don’t have to pass emissions here in Washington, but my “SES Light” (which I have paid thousands to try and get fixed to no avail) bugs me enough that I went out and bought a $35 reader tool that I can use to reset the light when it comes on.
You know, I almost bought one of those tools. The one I was looking at was $79 and came with the USB cable and Windows s/w (couldn’t find a Mac version anywhere). It was the 7-9 day shipping time that stopped me from placing the order.
If I decide to fix and keep the car, then I have made a promise to dump the car the next time the light goes off.
kapgar: Agreed. sick and wrong. I don’t mind putting money into something to keep it maintained, but all of this for a light? Seems insane… downright cruel.
Dude. My check engine light fucked me up this year. They kept telling me there was no reason for it to be on except some freaky ass electrical thing. $1100 to trace it through the wiring harness blah blah blah. I don’t have that kind of dough so I waited for my tax refund. Heh. The car had other ideas. Here’s what happened:
http://winterblog.winterheart.com/2008/02/roaring-into-another-marcus-monday.html
Trust me, sometimes it’s sooo not what the mechanics tell you.
winter: I’m not alone. I’m not crazy… you’ve been infected by the check engine light bullshit, too.
I tend to not believe anything the dealer tells me, especially after dealing with this for the last 3 years…. so I had a good friend who is a service manager for a local used car dealer (who I trust a lot) confirm that my car really does need a catalytic converter.
Of course, one thing he couldn’t guarantee is that the light will stay off before it’s time to register it next year.
I don’t have to deal with a smog again until year after next. I got off lightly this year. If it was me, and I could afford to, I’d chuck the car for something else. I was lucky when I had my 280ZX. It had NO check engine light. Ah, the joys of a classic sports car!
I totally get the “no car payment” thing, having paid off my car last year. If I had to regularly invest $1,000 in it to pass emissions, though, I might be tempted to start making car payments again.
Karl: Exactly my mindset on this.