My pity party

[thekarens]

Honestly, I'm not looking for sympathy. I just like to express my frustrations and then move on.

Either the beginning of August or July we started looking for a used car for our son. I had 5k that I had borrowed from my 401K. We found a 2003 Hyundai Elantra with 75k miles for $3000. I took it to my mechanic and asked him to check it over thoroughly. He said it needed about $800 worth of maintenance stuff and then it would be good to go.

We bought the car and took it to him to do the maintenance. I won't bore you with the details, but $800 eventually became 2k and yes, I did check with a second mechanic. Of course by now it's too late, the seller is running laughing with his paycheck.

Fast forward to yesterday. My son calls me at work to tell me his car broke down on the way to school. I have a friend pick him up and take him to school and I go to meet the wrecker who will take it to the mechanic.

Mechanic calls to say it threw a rod and destroyed the engine block. It needs a new engine, which will cost me 3500k if I want a rebuilt engine with only a 30 day warranty or 5500k if I want a new engine.

I won't repeat both what I thought and what I said because it's not family friendly!

On the bright side...I think...I got 2 new linnies this weekend. I say "think" because they've done nothing but give the alarm call since we brought them home.

However, definitely on the bright side, Zoe is always good for a snuggle and we have great neighbors who are taking the kid to school until we can get this worked out.

 

[Dopey]

I am so sorry. Maybe Zoe can fix it.

 

[Christinenc2000]

I'm sorry HUG

 

[Allee]

I'm sorry about your auto troubles, Karen. Definitely deserving of a pity party with a dash of outrage thrown in. I'm glad Zoe's there to give you snuggles.

Congrats on the new linnies! I want to hear more and see pics, please.

 

[thekarens]

I am so sorry. Maybe Zoe can fix it.

I bet she could dismantle it. That might be fun!

 

[RavensGryf]

That sounds pretty painful Karen! Sorry that happened. I hate when things cost so much more than anticipated. It must be Murphy's Law. Hope he has wheels soon.

 

[thekarens]

That sounds pretty painful Karen! Sorry that happened. I hate when things cost so much more than anticipated. It must be Murphy's Law. Hope he has wheels soon.

Karen applied for a loan with the credit union. We're going to get him a different car. Hopefully they will approve the loan tomorrow.

 

[Terry57]

Oh Karen, I can't believe this! Y'all have really been through the wringer with this car
Fingers crossed that the loan comes through and you can find a great deal.

 

[Kiwibird]

Ugh. That really sucks, especially since you put all those repairs into it Perhaps wait for one of those deals dealerships do where they will give a sizable amount for any trade in even when it's not running (I hear those on the radio all the time) so you can at least get some trade in value for it towards a more reliable car....

 

[95talongirl]

How many miles are in the car? The biggest problem with used cars is how well the previous owner took care of it. Lack of oil changes, for example, can cause premature engine failures. Also, if there was an oil leak and it was not monitored, it could have ran out of oil! However, I would have thought the mechanic would have told you. I know all to well the joys of car issues!

Also, if you want to save the car on the cheap, look for an used engine from a salvage yard.
A lot of times even a salvage yard will gaurentee the engine runs.

If you have any questions let me know! I am sorry you have to go through that! Not only the initial costs, but the fact it still didn't last.

 

[thekarens]

It has 75k. We took it to the first guy who said it needed x amount of work, so we did some of that and then we took it to a second mechanic who said we needed additional work so we did that. I asked both of them to look it over as thoroughly as possible. I know nothing about cars except the obvious, if there's oil on the driveway, if there's funny noises. That's it. The car has only been driven 30 miles a week since we bought it in August.

Mind you, the 3500 quote was for a rebuilt with a 30 day warranty. The 5500 quote was for a new engine. It's just frustrating.

Anyway, eventually it will be a bad memory and a lesson learned.

 

[getwozzy]

Oh man!!!! That's annoying!!! I'm sorry you're dealing with this- car issues are SO irritating!!!

I hope things turn around for you guys soon!!

 

[Dinosrawr]

Wow! That's absolutely rough... car troubles are so frustrating. A co-worker of mine bought a GMC Acadia in 2009... just one month ago, after warranty was over for only four months, her transmission completely blew. She now has to buy a brand new car, as the price of fixing it is basically the same as a down payment.

I hope things turn around soon! And at least you have Zoe for nice cuddles and good laughs on days that don't seem so lovely!

 

[95talongirl]

Ouch! 75k seems in the low side for such a failure.

I am going to assume by the 2k price for matianence, that they did the timing belt? That is a matianence item on most imports, as they are "interference" engines. That means if the belt breaks, it does major damage. If this was done, did they offer some sort gaurentee? I have seen some instances where the tension was not set correctly and the new belt ends up failing. Sometimes the tensioner lets go, if that want replaced. Of course, I am speculating. But it seems like an odd coincidence that the engine fails so soon after some matainence repairs with lower miles.
But... Crap does happen. Just always good to cover bases.

Can you ask to see the damaged parts?

 

[Kiwibird]

Anyway, eventually it will be a bad memory and a lesson learned.

These things happen and mechanics are not all-knowing beings. My first vehicle was a beat-up old Explorer that wasn't very pretty but still a great vehicle for a teenager. It was over 200K miles and running fine but it got totaled out (not my fault). I replaced it with another Explorer, newer, cleaner, in-tact cosmetically:54: and with half the miles. A mechanic looked it over and said everything was fine. The rear wiper stopped working as soon as I pulled off the lot (bad omen right there), and it went downhill from there. Fuel pump went right away, transmission went about 6 months after I got it, needed a SECOND fuel pump within a year, constant electrical system problems, had to climb in the passengers side because the drivers door got stuck and wouldn't open.... Eventually had to trade it in because it would just die while driving (it was an automatic, so I was't stalling it but stalling is the best comparison to what it was doing). 3 different mechanics couldn't identify the problem. Just a "lemon" of a vehicle and I was so pissed... But my next (and current) car is awesome! I guess I got some better luck after the year I had that hunk of junk!

Whether you fix it or trade it in, probability is low that you'll end up with another problem car. Those things don't tend to happen in clusters. Usually it's a one off, and I'm sure it'll either get fixed properly and do great or the new vehicle will be a winner

 

[Scott]

Frustrating indeed; Cars - cant live with them, can't live without them.

It would seem best to cut your losses and replace the car with something more viable. Whether it has any trade-in value would be speculative, but no harm trying.

Sad this happened, and hope your son isn't disillusioned. My nephew had a spate of terrible automotive luck. His first and second vehicles were money-pits and known bad choices. Third auto was a sound selection, but got into a T-bone accident within a week. No injuries and it's now fixed, but he was judged 100% at fault.

 

[Anansi]

Wow, Karen! Sorry to hear this. Terrible how things just seem to happen in an avalanche sometimes that can really test our patience... and sanity.

It's good that your neighbors have your back in the meantime, though. Good luck on the new loan and next buy!

 

[thekarens]

Ouch! 75k seems in the low side for such a failure.

I am going to assume by the 2k price for matianence, that they did the timing belt? That is a matianence item on most imports, as they are "interference" engines. That means if the belt breaks, it does major damage. If this was done, did they offer some sort gaurentee? I have seen some instances where the tension was not set correctly and the new belt ends up failing. Sometimes the tensioner lets go, if that want replaced. Of course, I am speculating. But it seems like an odd coincidence that the engine fails so soon after some matainence repairs with lower miles.
But... Crap does happen. Just always good to cover bases.

Can you ask to see the damaged parts?

I had all the belts and hoses replaced (including timing belt) the brakes done, the oil changed and the only mechanical things they did is replace the charcoal filter and they told me the starter was about to go out, so we went ahead and replaced that.

I could ask to look at the parts. I'm sure they'd show them to me, but I'm not sure I'd know what in the heck I was looking at

I truly appreciate everyone's kind words.