I drive a fairly old car. Compared to most of my friends, it’s an antique. I bought my 2002 Volvo wagon in 2006 because I had heard that Volvo’s could last 1 million miles. They even have a club for that. A year later, one week short of the warranty expiring, the transmission died. Volvo flitted the bill. Phew. That was close. I wasn’t as lucky the next time.
Two years ago we took it to NYC in December to celebrate our anniversary. It had just been inspected, oil changed and some minor repairs. About an hour outside the city the low oil pressure light went on. Added oil and we got to the city. The following evening at dusk we found ourselves pulling over in Orange , NJ with black smoke billowing out of the back of the car. It wasn’t pretty (and neither is Orange, NJ).
Fast forward 9 weeks and $4500 later, my car was running again. Ouch! I vowed it had to last at least a year. Then some appliances broke and I prayed it would last another 6 months. Another year later and it’s still going but I can’t say it’s going strong.
The outside is rust free. The interior is fair. The transmission? Not so great. It has been bucking and being wiggy whenever it gets muggy or damp. It doesn’t like stop and go traffic and hills. I really want a new car. But it hasn’t stopped yet and it gets me to work so…
The point of a car is to get from point A to point B and so far the Volvo still does that. I’m to the point though that the car is causing me some angst. I’m facing a summer with my kids at home and I’d like to go places. I could swap cars with my husband but I really want a car I don’t have to worry about anymore. I’m waiting with baited breath. I park under a half dead tree at work in hopes that a strong wind will land the tree on my car and require a replacement. I often leave it unlocked. Maybe someone will steal it. My luck? It will last another 5 years, lol.
So, can someone come “accidentally” bump into my car just enough to total it? It won’t take much because it isn’t worth much. I just need one more excuse. Pretty please?
Stay tuned for part 2 and what I plan on replacing the beast with!
Til then, happy cruising 🙂
Liz