car woes

[desh]

So the quote to actually get a replacement hood for my car is about $900. WTF. Though about half of that is paint labor. If I can buy a hood myself from a junkyard or something that's the right color, then the other parts and the non-paint labor that I was quoted only come to about $160. If I can find a junked hood for $150 or $200, then $310 is a much more reasonable total price to pay. Or, of course, I can do nothing.

And then my car started making squeaking sounds. I need a new water pump. $700.

Ugh.

Is it time to just give up? Sell the car (which, being a Honda, will always be worth something)? I don't know; I really don't think I can justify getting another car, and it's so useful for me to have one now. Plus, I mean, it's my baby. I've had it for 11 and a half years now.

Comments

[dagoski.livejournal.com]

If the only thing mechanically wrong is the water pump, fix it. I say get a hood from a junkyard that either matches or strongly contrasts. The latter will make it look like a custom job and impress the girls. Seriously, $700 + hood is still a lot less than what you'll shell out for any decent kind of user car. I just bought a used car this past fall and prices are way, way above bluebook.

[richardf8]

Oh, and the water pump? Have you investigated how doable replacing it yourself would be?

[desh]

I haven't. Not my thing. If you know anyone in Philly who would do it as a favor to me, let me know...

[jdcohen.livejournal.com]

Desh, do the humane thing and put it down. Put it out of its misery. It's had a full life... and it's time to do the right thing and let it go quietly into the night with dignity.

Or, you can always let it go out in a blaze of glory "Thelma and Louise" style, but then you'd leave us the problem of what to do with YOU, and you know, it'd be expensive to get you into good enough shape for an open casket ceremony, so, you know, maybe it's not the best of ideas. I personally would opt for "Viking funeral" if you could ever get the damned thing onto a raft.

--Jeff

[desh]

Fortunately the decision is up to me, not the car; and I have a lot less dignity than she does.

[jdcohen.livejournal.com]

All I'm saying Deshie-poo, is that I'm a good enough friend to you that I'd personally give you a Viking funeral, whether or not you were even dead. That's the test of a true friend.

--Jeff