Rant Terminal Diagnosis: My Car's Rusting Suspension & Expensive Repairs

[Intrepid_Chef]

My car got a terminal diagnosis from the mechanic Monday:

* The Good: He fixed the brakes for free, after determining that his advice backfired. He told me to apply the e-brake to re-set the brakes, which I did, and the brake was stuck, frying the rotor and pads.
* The Bad: The only choice was to disconnect the emergency brake ... meaning the locking caliper problem which is common to cars like this 91 Cutlass will crop up again.
* It doesn't matter anyway, because the thing that holds the rear suspension up is rusting. A friend had a 92 Cutlass and said she'd drive it till the wheels fell off, and that is exactly what she did.

The mechanic said that if my car lasts through the winter he'd be shocked, since it wasn't this bad when he did the brakes just 6 months ago.

Right now I'm fearing the worst will happen while I'm on the highway and am mulling whether to avoid the expressway in the short term.

My roommate immediately got on the horn and asked his dad if his friend's car is available. It is a 93 Escort, in good shape for its age, and he says I can have it for $300. My previous two cars were both Escorts and served me well, so this is a blessing.

HOWEVER ... finding the title in that house is like finding a needle in a haystack, and the estate is a complicated one. I guess my friend's dad is not the executor of the estate, at least not yet.

The first words out of my Stepmother's mouth, when I told her all this, was how soon could I get it so they could loan me the money until I get my tax return!

So God is in control ... please pray that I am safe on the roads meanwhile ....

 

[candiejayne]

Sorry to hear about your car, I hope things work out for you soon!

 

[chefsteph07]

So sorry to hear this...sadly, my husband and I had to retire our beloved 98 Chevy Lumina...it had over 160k miles on it and just over the past 6 months it has really been one thing after another. We just got a new car on Monday, the payments are not bad at all and I feel alot safer on the road..it's nice knowing that I can start the car and it will actually START.
Good luck w/ everything, I'm sure 2009 will be better for you than 08!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

This one has only 112K on it ... not sure about the Escort or when/if I am getting it ...I wish I could get a newer car but it's just not in the cards ... unless I were to get a second job and work, work, work all the time ... Even 16 hours on my days off would only bring my income to what it was before I was downsized.But it WILL be nice to get back into a smaller car ... and have a smaller tank to fill that lasts just as long as my 16-gallon monster ...

 

[wadesgirl]

So sorry to hear this...sadly, my husband and I had to retire our beloved 98 Chevy Lumina...it had over 160k miles on it and just over the past 6 months it has really been one thing after another. We just got a new car on Monday, the payments are not bad at all and I feel alot safer on the road..it's nice knowing that I can start the car and it will actually START.
Good luck w/ everything, I'm sure 2009 will be better for you than 08!

I had a 95 Lumina that was about the same way. The final straw was it breaking down on me on the side of the interstate on a 105 degree day! $500 later just to get the car in working order, I got to go car shopping to get something a little more reliable.

Di, I hope things work out for you!

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

My '96 Saturn has 221k on it. I intend to get it to a quarter of a million.The only way you can get your money's worth out of a car is to drive it until the wheels fall off - then you weld the wheels back on and drive it some more.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Do any of you with car knowledge know if it would be worth my time to get an estimate from a welder ... I have a feeling if this was an option it would have been suggested but ...

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

If the problem is that the shock towers are rusted away, you're pretty much SOL. I doubt that a welder would risk the liability issues of welding up frame parts. But it would be worth asking your mechanic about it.Meanwhile, if you can get the Escort out of the estate, I'd investigate that option.

 

[Sheleif]

I am sorry that really sucks. I hope you can get the Escort.

 

[chefsteph07]

I had a 95 Lumina that was about the same way. The final straw was it breaking down on me on the side of the interstate on a 105 degree day! $500 later just to get the car in working order, I got to go car shopping to get something a little more reliable.

Di, I hope things work out for you!

HOw did you like your lumina? I LOVED that car...I had tears in my eyes when I got rid of it...we had it for 7 yrs...it was great, had no issues until recently, and we just didn't have the money to keep fixing it.

 

[janetupnorth]

Sorry to hear about your troubles, but I'd change the thread title from "This stinks" to "I'm amazed how God really does take care of me."Looks to me despite your troubles, which we all have at some point, we were just there 2 years ago with DH's '89 truck, God is really providing something reasonable for you!...and it's o.k. to drive older cars. We drive a '97 with over 140K on it and a '94 with 240K+ on it. The '94 was our upgrade from the '89.

 

[wadesgirl]

HOw did you like your lumina? I LOVED that car...I had tears in my eyes when I got rid of it...we had it for 7 yrs...it was great, had no issues until recently, and we just didn't have the money to keep fixing it.

I loved my Lumina. So roomy and spacious. Drove really nice. Didn't have too many problems with it until the end. I have a Malibu now. It's a little smaller than the Lumina but I like it also.

 

[susanr613]

I agree with Janet. I am sorry that your car is terminal and send my good wishes when you do drive it that you don't get stuck.

I do not want to diminish or dismiss your troubles. You are blessed that your roomate and your stepmother are both so eager to help you, and that you'll be able to have a working vehicle for $300. If my car broke down, it would be all on my shoulders to acquire new wheels, and I doubt someone would give me a break like you're getting from your roomate's father's friend.

I wish you the best in being safe on the road.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Yeah, I just get worried until things come together ... Apparently the estate that owns the Escort is a really complicated one ... it may be weeks until this all comes together, if at all.

I drive a LOT of miles ... just figured out that I put 18,000 miles on this car since I got it in February .... Work is 18 highway miles away and then I can be sent to places that are 20 miles away or so ... I'm worried that the car could literally fall apart when I'm on the highway ... so last night I checked out how long it would take to get to work without going on the highway ... it's not that long, but the speed limit is 45 in some spots ... I'm thinking that if the car falls apart on the highway it could lead to an accident ...

Usually all of this is on my shoulders ... God REALLY blessed me last year with this car because it was months until my tax return ... I just wished it had lasted a whole year.

It would be really nice if I could have both cars at least for a couple of weeks.

 

[janetupnorth]

Older cars do that to you.You just have to do a few things in life...1. Trust God in all circumstances. My aunt and my grandma were worriers, not healthy. You need to trust that God will keep you safe until the new car comes, not worry about when and where it will fall apart. Granted, you can be wisely cautious without worrying! It takes practice.2. In each situation, count your blessings, don't focus on the negative. This will help with that worrying.Friend of ours would make a list each week of what they got free or discounted or whatever. At the end of the week, they would put aside 10% of what it would of cost them to give to an organization or church whatever. One year, the total of what the things were worth almost exceeded their families yearly income! There is more to the story but I wanted to share the joy in each thing. I bet if you look around for 2008, you will find that you were truly blessed beyond belief! Look at your signature, you won a shopping spree! I can honestly say from experience, I've been in the "woe is me", finances are spiraling downhill, things are breaking faster than I can fix them mode.We had 2 vehicles, a water heater, a well pump, a dishwasher, and a furnace all go within 24-36 months. Talk about stress. Then shortly after my dad got sick and died. Well, I am now facing major roof repairs in the spring (we patched the holes to make the winter). This round though, there is not a fear. 1. God WILL provide, 2. I am working diligently to save for it and cut every "want" and constantly looking for ways to save money. 3. I can count other blessings beyond belief that I've experienced since I stopped worrying about life and focused on the joy of all HE has given me.So, find the joy in your trials and enjoy the blessings! We look forward to CELEBRATING with you.

 

[wadesgirl]

Yeah, I just get worried until things come together ... Apparently the estate that owns the Escort is a really complicated one ... it may be weeks until this all comes together, if at all.

I drive a LOT of miles ... just figured out that I put 18,000 miles on this car since I got it in February .... Work is 18 highway miles away and then I can be sent to places that are 20 miles away or so ... I'm worried that the car could literally fall apart when I'm on the highway ... so last night I checked out how long it would take to get to work without going on the highway ... it's not that long, but the speed limit is 45 in some spots ... I'm thinking that if the car falls apart on the highway it could lead to an accident ...

Usually all of this is on my shoulders ... God REALLY blessed me last year with this car because it was months until my tax return ... I just wished it had lasted a whole year.

It would be really nice if I could have both cars at least for a couple of weeks.

Just a side note, I'm interested to see my mileage for the year. DH and I drive 35 miles one way to work plus trips for my 60+ shows this year, family things, etc! I know that at one point I should have been changing my oil every 1 1/2 months if I had gone by the 3000 mile rule.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

The necessity of changing oil every 3000 miles is a self-perpetuating myth.

Oil not only serves as a lubricant in your engine, it also acts like your bloodstream, carrying toxins and nasty stuff to the filter. (In your case, that's kidneys and liver, in your car, it's the oil filter.)

Back in the days of the Model T and the Model A, there were no oil filters - at least, factory oil filters and the accessory ones weren't that good. In those days, engines weren't efficient and oil wasn't very good, at least, compared to today's oils and changing oil often was a good idea.

Even the 1950's, oils and filters weren't that good, and changing oil every 3000 miles became the standard, and it probably was a good one.

Today's modern oils, however, have great detergents and additives that capture dirt and deposits, holding them in suspension. The larger chunks get trapped in modern, and very good, filters. If you're changing your oil every 3000 miles, you're wasting money.

Most manufacturers recommend 7,500 miles between oil changes, most mechanics will tell you 5000 miles. Remember, they aren't trying to sell you anything because they don't make much money on oil changes and most don't really want to do oil changes - they'd rather send you to Quickie Lube.

Don't believe me? Ask http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1999/February/06.html from NPR.

 

[chefann]

Slightly dirty oil is better for your engine than completely clean oil, too. (Just like you get better tasting french fries when the oil in the deep fryer isn't 100% clean from a jar, too.)KG- did you mean to type "Click and Clack from NPR" in your last line?

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

Yeah, I just edited it. I was trying to add the link and inadvertently typed an IMG tag instead of a URL tag. My bad.

 

[janetupnorth]

I like reading Click and Clack - lots to learn!

 

[lauradahl]

Oil changes may be less frequent for those city/highway drivers, but for someone like me who lives on the outskirts of nowhere...considering the miles on dirt/gravel, we have to be a little more stringent on the changing/filtering of the oil. More mileage before the service is not appropriate for everyone! Driving habits have to be considered too!

On the original note....good luck with your situation. Having car trouble is a nightmare when we're living it. Soon, it'll pass and you'll be "on the road" to a better, secure feeling with your new ride...whatever it will be!

 

[JAE]

The necessity of changing oil every 3000 miles is a self-perpetuating myth.

Oil not only serves as a lubricant in your engine, it also acts like your bloodstream, carrying toxins and nasty stuff to the filter. (In your case, that's kidneys and liver, in your car, it's the oil filter.)

Back in the days of the Model T and the Model A, there were no oil filters - at least, factory oil filters and the accessory ones weren't that good. In those days, engines weren't efficient and oil wasn't very good, at least, compared to today's oils and changing oil often was a good idea.

Even the 1950's, oils and filters weren't that good, and changing oil every 3000 miles became the standard, and it probably was a good one.

Today's modern oils, however, have great detergents and additives that capture dirt and deposits, holding them in suspension. The larger chunks get trapped in modern, and very good, filters. If you're changing your oil every 3000 miles, you're wasting money.

Most manufacturers recommend 7,500 miles between oil changes, most mechanics will tell you 5000 miles. Remember, they aren't trying to sell you anything because they don't make much money on oil changes and most don't really want to do oil changes - they'd rather send you to Quickie Lube.

Don't believe me? Ask http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1999/February/06.html from NPR.

Glad to hear it. I hate getting my oil changed and I'm always way off the three month 3,000 mile date.

Hope things work out, Diane.

 

[wadesgirl]

The necessity of changing oil every 3000 miles is a self-perpetuating myth.

Oil not only serves as a lubricant in your engine, it also acts like your bloodstream, carrying toxins and nasty stuff to the filter. (In your case, that's kidneys and liver, in your car, it's the oil filter.)

Back in the days of the Model T and the Model A, there were no oil filters - at least, factory oil filters and the accessory ones weren't that good. In those days, engines weren't efficient and oil wasn't very good, at least, compared to today's oils and changing oil often was a good idea.

Even the 1950's, oils and filters weren't that good, and changing oil every 3000 miles became the standard, and it probably was a good one.

Today's modern oils, however, have great detergents and additives that capture dirt and deposits, holding them in suspension. The larger chunks get trapped in modern, and very good, filters. If you're changing your oil every 3000 miles, you're wasting money.

Most manufacturers recommend 7,500 miles between oil changes, most mechanics will tell you 5000 miles. Remember, they aren't trying to sell you anything because they don't make much money on oil changes and most don't really want to do oil changes - they'd rather send you to Quickie Lube.

Don't believe me? Ask http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1999/February/06.html from NPR.

That's why I said IF I had gone by the 3000 mile rule. I do try to stay with the three month rule but still sometimes get way to busy.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

My car got a terminal diagnosis from the mechanic Monday:

* The Good: He fixed the brakes for free, after determining that his advice backfired. He told me to apply the e-brake to re-set the brakes, which I did, and the brake was stuck, frying the rotor and pads.
* The Bad: The only choice was to disconnect the emergency brake ... meaning the locking caliper problem which is common to cars like this 91 Cutlass will crop up again.
* It doesn't matter anyway, because the thing that holds the rear suspension up is rusting. A friend had a 92 Cutlass and said she'd drive it till the wheels fell off, and that is exactly what she did.

The mechanic said that if my car lasts through the winter he'd be shocked, since it wasn't this bad when he did the brakes just 6 months ago.

Right now I'm fearing the worst will happen while I'm on the highway and am mulling whether to avoid the expressway in the short term.

My roommate immediately got on the horn and asked his dad if his friend's car is available. It is a 93 Escort, in good shape for its age, and he says I can have it for $300. My previous two cars were both Escorts and served me well, so this is a blessing.

HOWEVER ... finding the title in that house is like finding a needle in a haystack, and the estate is a complicated one. I guess my friend's dad is not the executor of the estate, at least not yet.

The first words out of my Stepmother's mouth, when I told her all this, was how soon could I get it so they could loan me the money until I get my tax return!

So God is in control ... please pray that I am safe on the roads meanwhile ....

I had a 1980 cutlass that rusted so bad, a month after I sold it, I guess the same thing happened- it was driven till the wheels fell off. John and I felt so bad (we had no idea) that we gave the gal her money back...

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

I remembered your story this week ... apparently these are chronic problems for Cutlasses.

Thank you for your post, Janet ... you are truly a blessing ... I really try not to worry but it is a major struggle for me ... looks like I need to read Matthew 6 again:

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It's just that my dad and stepmother keep calling me to ask if I have the Escort yet ... I keep telling them that my roomate's father is out of town and that there's no executor of the estate since the owner died without a will ... therefore, the probate court has to appoint an executor and give him permission to sell the car ... it can take some time. They pretty much live paycheck to paycheck too ... and I know they are anxious to get this overwith because of that ... also, I offered to sell my stepbrother my Cutlass for parts ... so I'm sure they are anxious to take it apart.

I told a couple of people that the mechanic said it wouldn't last through the winter ... not that if it won't last through the WEEK.

Oh and Janet ... have you had any storms in your area lately? We had a hail storm in 2007 ... it damaged the siding but insurance wouldn't pay for it ... HOWEVER ... they did pay for the roof on the house and garage, and there was enough left over to pay for the gutters too ...

I hope God comes through for you BIG TIME.

(Oh, and the owners manual of my 95 Escort said that I should change the oil every 5,000 miles. I tried to go by that and was pretty successful ... now I'm lucky if I get it changed that often ...)

 

[janetupnorth]

Storms, some hail, but the roof is too old to count. It has the original roof of 14-15 years. My brother's roof was covered a few years ago.I'm not worried about claiming it or about the repairs. I've seen God's faithfulness too many times in the last 10 years to have fear. Even when things come crashing down, I know it's because He has a lesson to teach me and that later, it will be o.k. He has never left me without the basics! We will keep working and he will provide what we need when we need it.Keep reading and trusting and share the blessings!

 

[pampchefsarah]

Di, if so much of your mileage is because of work, do you think the company might be willing to help you? Not provide you with a company car, necessarily, but if you explain that you are worried about causing an accident, or even the car breaking down, during one of your trips, maybe they'd be willing to give you a 'bonus' to help pay for a better vehicle.

In the thread about my car flipping over it was suggested that if it had happened on company time doing company business, I might be able to claim workers' comp. You can bring that tidbit up, as well! Also, if you do cause an accident resulting in another person's injury, the company might get sued for damages. Of course, you bring all of this up not as a threat if they don't help you, but as looking out for the company's best interests.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Hmmmm ... it would be nice, Sarah, but you don't truly understand the company I work for.

I am a newspaper writer and like all newspapers, we are hit hard by this recession. (If you want a laugh, look up "God Rest Ye Weary Journalists" on You Tube.) They downsized my paycheck last May and I only work 4 days a week now ... They were going to give me back some of my hours and recanted the same day due to an unexpected hike in newsprint costs ... advertising revenue has plunged due to the slumping auto industry and foreclosure crisis ...They aren't even entering the annual writing contest we take part in each year because we can't afford the $350 fee.

If I remind them that my car is unreliable, they may well decide that I am too much of a liability to have on their staff any more.

I've taken at least 2 or 3 days of vacation and comp time to tend to my ailing car or find another one.

I do hope it doesn't break down but I am sure if it does I'd be able to claim workers comp or make a claim on their insurance ... they have us show them our certificate of insurance annually if we drive on company time. Meanwhile, I am minimizing highway driving and do very little of it on company time, so it is my sincere hope that if this DOES happen while I am driving, I will be on a country road somewhere and come to rest safely in a ditch. In my many years of driving clunkers, I've had tie rods go and have always been blessed to be stopped or driving slowly when it happened. I'm guessing if this goes it will be similar to that.

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Well ... this just in ....

The Escort is a no-go ... finding the title is like finding a needle in a haystack and the estate is a complicated one because they have to hire a lawyer to sell it ... so they are probably going to scrap it.

Meanwhile ... I am going to take it to a welder to see if it is possible to weld the car. I've had 2 people suggest that. It will be good to get a second opinion, if nothing else.

Used car market stinks out there ... just like this time last year, I have no cash on hand with which to buy a car ... the cars people are selling in my price range are seriously flawed, needing engines or transmissions ... I don't like the idea of going out there again ...

 

[chefsteph07]

Well ... this just in ....

The Escort is a no-go ... finding the title is like finding a needle in a haystack and the estate is a complicated one because they have to hire a lawyer to sell it ... so they are probably going to scrap it.

Meanwhile ... I am going to take it to a welder to see if it is possible to weld the car. I've had 2 people suggest that. It will be good to get a second opinion, if nothing else.

Used car market stinks out there ... just like this time last year, I have no cash on hand with which to buy a car ... the cars people are selling in my price range are seriously flawed, needing engines or transmissions ... I don't like the idea of going out there again ...

I think all you have to do to get another copy of the title is go to the license bureau where the title dept is...

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Oh ... but it's SOOOOO much more than that because the owner of the car is dead and his only survior is not mentally competent. So my friend's dad has stepped up to settle the estate ... and it is turning out to be a bigger deal than he thought. Meanwhle ... Ye Olde Cutlass wouldn't start today ... I am getting it fixed as cheaply as I can. I told them point blank that if it is hundreds of dollars then to forget it because I won't have it much longer anyway ... But it HAS TO last at least 6 more weeks, because I can't buy another car until I get my tax return.