We have known for a month and a half that our 96' Subaru Legacy's transmission is going. The mechanic told us it was a matter of time- he just couldn't pinpoint an exact time of failure. I work 10 hours a week as a secretary figure (processing orders, accounts receivable, customer relations) at Red Moon Herbs. It is a wonderful job and close to home. Well, on my way there this morning it turned out to be that time of failure... The car just couldn't make it up the tiny hill just past our driveway. It never died, just more gave up trying. I had the petal to the metal and it never even died or sputtered, it just crept along until it just stopped, idling halfway up the hill. *sigh*So... I don't know what will happen now. The cost of the transmission is about the exact price that the car is blue book valued at (around $1,500) I have heard advice never to put more money into a car than it's value. But it has been such a reliable car... I feel like I took the news with relative grace this morning considering car trouble is right up there with going to DMV and the dentist in terms of not fun things to deal with. I just calmly backed down the hill (reverse seemed to be just fine) and parked the car. I haven't sworn or felt hopeless about it yet. However now we need to f
igure out what to do :(We have been day dreaming about buying a Honda Fit It has many of things we want in a car: great gas mileage, roomy considering how small it is, made by a reliable company, has a good safety rating esp for front passengers, and it has room to load bigger things in the back. The pitfalls for us are that it is not 4WD (hence the better gas mileage...) and the safety rating for the rear is only a three star and we will be putting our most precious thing in that rear...
Hopefully, since we have been enjoying using our new budgeting program we will be able to tell if we can swallow a car payment, or be able to fix the old one. Either way, it felt therapeutic to share my car woes with you.
If anyone has any wisdom for us, we are taking advice!
3 comments:
Oye, I am sorry. No fun. Our water heater broke the other day too...of course it doesn't take us to work but it did end up costing us over $2000, yeessh! Have you looked at the Toyota Matrix? We know a couple of people who have it and really like it. It might have a good safety record and still gets good millage. Good luck!
Thanks Er! I haven't looked into the matrix too much, but that is good to hear. And it looks similar to the Fit....
Oh, Kelc, I'm so sorry! I will say that I know lots of people up in these parts with the Fit who LOVE it, and feel safe enough to put their most precious thing in the back seat... :) Let me know if there is any way I can help.
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