The Wabe → The Roadtrip → The Smogmobile 2000™ → Major Engine Trouble
In the wee hours on a Wednesday I was driving the Smogmobile home from a friend’s house at about 3:30 am. No big deal for me, considering how I drive the car all over L.A. at almost any hour, right? When suddenly… I heard a new sound coming from under the hood. It was the sound of an engine in pain. I pulled off the 210 Freeway at Lowell, and stopped the car.
After hiking up (and I do mean up) the inclined road, I called the Auto Club and had the car towed to a local mechanic shop. I got a ride to work. Later that day the mechanic told me the bad news. Something was really wrong inside the engine, and it would need to be rebuilt. I didn’t want to hear that.
I waited a couple days to think about whether I’d want to cough up the money to fix it. My mind was burdened with doubts: “Should the beloved Smogmobile 2000 simply be junked?” “Couldn’t I get another jalopy somewhere for less than this repair cost?” “Maybe I should cut my losses now, and get out of this whole complicated affair.”
Friday I emailed Rob about it. The mechanic’s estimate of $2500 or more to fix it seemed high, and was more than I was prepared to pay. But I couldn’t let the Smogmobile go without a fight.
Saturday I talked to Jason and he had some ideas about how I could get the job done cheaper (and maybe better) at a shop he knew of. Good ol’ Jason seems to have come through for us again. I had the car towed that afternoon.
Now all I have to do is wait.
Oh, and make out a big check.
Last Modified: 2003/12/08 00:09:30 GMT
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