It started almost two weeks ago, but we were really focused on getting ready for Jeffrey's blessing, so we basically just put it out of our minds, since you can only handle so much stress right?
Well, about a week a half ago, our Saturn started acting funny. It really concerned me when I was driving to pick up the kids and felt like it wouldn't stop and when it was idling it felt like the engine was going to die.
From Friday to Monday we didn't drive it at all. Then, when Shane did try to work on it, it sounded horrible. If cars could get colds (like bronchitis, or even worse, an illness like whooping cough, that's what they would sound like).
Then the check engine light came on.
This was all grouped in with normal life, work, picking up kids from school, and then taking Jeffrey to his first nephrologist appointment on Thursday. We had to drive our Yukon, and we always took the car usually because of the gas mileage difference, but anyway... for this post, just rest your mind and know that things went well. I will have to write in more detail in the next post...
Someone in our neighborhood has a code reader that can read the car's computer and tell you what is wrong, and Shane asked if they could read our car. We waited two days for that to happen, and they never came. Never called. Is it bad to say that it didn't really surprise me? Anyway, it was all good though, because Friday we were getting ready to tow it to AutoZone when one of our other neighbors passed us on the street and then stopped and helped Shane tow the car to a mechanic here where we live.
They knew the mechanic, really liked them, always had good experiences with them, and told us that they would read the code and tell us what was wrong, give an estimate, etc, for free. He was right! They did all that, and it was all free.
Well, what we found out, was that the timing chain had gone out on our car. Timing chains are EVIL! We had the same thing happen to another vehicle back when we were first married. If only the timing chain had to be replaced, then it is only a couple hundred dollars. If the timing chain goes up into the engine and bends a piston, then it's a LOT more. The thing with timing chains is it takes a lot of labor to even get the timing chain out, and then if it has ruined the engine, it's that much more labor.
We knew by how terrible the engine sounded when Shane was working on it, and turning the engine over, that most likely a piston got bent. The hard thing is, is that you have to guess, because it really isn't worth it to go to all the work to know FOR SURE. The likelihood of it being that though, is so high, it's a pretty safe guess.
Because of the amount of miles, age, and value of the car, we decided it wasn't worth it to get it fixed.
Our goal for a few years now has been to get out of debt. We even have a financial adviser that we go to, to help keep us on track, and when we get out of debt, we will know how to place our money. Needless to say, the knowledge that we would have to get another car, and the only way we could afford it was to get another loan...did not make us happy people.
Well, things have been pretty tight since I lost my job. Doable, but not comfortable. So, we started thinking about our options. We knew Shane needed a vehicle that would get good gas mileage especially with the price of gas now. Using the Yukon to commute didn't really make sense. So, we made a hard decision. We decided to trade in the Yukon. We both loved driving this vehicle, and it was nice to have something that could tow things. Still, we decided that for right now, it made more sense to do this, get a little bit nicer car, and then get another Yukon down the road when things have calmed down.
This would also mean that we would become a one car family. I don't think we have done this since...well...hmm...it's been a long time. With Shane at home during the day though, we thought about it and realized that we really didn't need two vehicles, RIGHT NOW.
There are a few sites we look at when researching vehicles. One of our favorites is Edmunds.com
You can read free professional car reviews, customer reviews, reliability reports, and everything. It is GREAT!
Anyway, the vehicle we ended up getting is a 2010 Chevrolet HHR. I have always liked the way this vehicle looked, but never thought we would own one. Well, we will be able to almost make double payments on it if we want, or put the extra money towards another loan with a higher interest rate, or something.
Here is what it looks like.
We like the way it drives, it gets AWESOME gas mileage, and the miles are super low because it is so new, so it will last a while. On top of that, it is a dark navy blue instead of white. Yay!
The Saturn we decided to sell for parts, or a "mechanics special." It basically needs a new engine. Anyone want to buy a car? ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment