Thursday, March 11, 2010

oh snap

If it ain't one thing it's another one on the way...

And so goes the saga of my car, a 1994 candy apple red Ford Taurus that I've been driving since 1995. My first car... had it since high school. It's gotten to the point where it seems to have one pretty major crisis once a year, and lots of smaller crises in between. It's a money pit. But, well, let's just say I haven't managed to reach the level of fame and fortune where new-car-buying is quite within reach, hence I keep pouring money into the Taurus.

I took it to my mechanic earlier this week because my mileage had dropped. From 350 miles per tank to 250 miles per tank. Um, ouch? Turns out that's among its more minor problems, something about a leaking fuel pressure doodlybobber or something. More urgently, something thingamaginger broke off and the car is in urgent danger of losing it's frabblewonger belt. Or something. Plus there's a problem with the warp drive, or maybe it was the hyperdrive? Flux capacitor? I get my terminology mixed up.

What it all boils down to is that it would cost a crapload of money to fix it. And I kind of don't want to do that. There's a possibility of inheriting a used car from a relative in a couple months. Whether and when that'll pan out I don't really know, but I hate to spend zillions of dollars on my car if I might not have it for long. So, I decided just to get the belt fixed, because my mechanic pretty much told me I shouldn't drive it otherwise, and I would not feel right selling it if it's in that situation. And for the most part I'll probably be driving the little ranch pickup, due to the Taurus' new gas-guzzling tendencies. The little truck pretty much just goes to the feed store every few weeks, maybe it will enjoy a chance to stretch its legs, so to speak. But it's not a permanent solution, it's not mine and, well, it doesn't have air conditioning!

So, yeah. Crap.

Did I mention I'm going to be doing an art sale? Honestly, the art sale ball was already rolling before the car bit the dust!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Honestly, it is time you went green anyhow. You have two horses so ride them already!! Or get a cart they can pull! Then at least you will not be contributing to fossil fuel consumption!
-BMC

dougzilla said...

Ah, the pickup. You know, that little piece of crap tin can will happily do 100mph, not, of course, that I have ever attempted such a thing. And there is nothing quite so cool as driving along with the windows wide open, soaked in sweat on a vinyl seat, when it's 110 degrees!

Katherine Plumer said...

Yeah, I can hardly wait for those 110 degree days, barf. Well, my car is running now, and is safely driveable... but getting 250 miles per tank SUCKS! I didn't get that part fixed, too much moolah.