Yes indeed! Hello! Here’s the situation. Because I got laid off my job almost one year ago, and I’m still out of work, I had to stop saving money to get my car repaired so that I could pay rent and bills with it, along with my $179 a week unemployment, which has been fully depleted since last spring.
Let me tell you the history of my old car. I bought this car from the dealership back in November of 1999. That’s right! It’s a year 2000 millennial car that I drove brand new off the lot! It is approaching its 25th birthday next month! Can you believe it? It’s older than Gen-Zs and even some of the Millennials walking around out there. It’s probably in better shape too!
I used to say: “I’ve got to take my car to the hospital!” The hospital? Oh, I mean the dealership. That’s the only place this car has ever gone for repairs. If it could talk, it would testify to such.
The thing is that as we and our cars get older, we start to break down (knee replacement, hearing aids, incontinence, etc.). In terms of a car, various rubbers and sealants harden up from the summer heat and wear and tear, certain parts need to be repaired or replaced, and the usual breakdown that is expected as time goes on from car parts.
My car has never been in a car accident, so it’s never had to go to a body shop for anything. I keep the car clean and in mint condition with all the replacement parts being OEM and genuine. I want to stretch out its use until its last breath! Right now, there’s only about 188,000 miles on it. It’s a Maxima, which means it should easily be able to drive another 100,000 miles because Japanese cars are engineered so darn well!
After getting a second opinion, the first major part that needs replacement is the timing chain (belt), which encompasses at least 10 components including: 3 or 4 timing chains, guides, tensioners, water pump, various gaskets, seals, and fluids. It is a major undertaking including the labor. That alone is around $6,000. The second major repair is the water outlet and valve assembly which has something to do with the upper radiator hose that has a corroded tube. The replacement part and labor is about $2,000. So we’re looking at $8,000. If you are in a position to do so, an additional $2,000 or more would help me toward rent and bills while I look for work, so we’re talking around $10,000 or more if you can spare it.
Until these repairs are done, because of the corroded tubes and worn out hoses that must be replaced, I cannot use my air conditioner in the summer or my heater in the winter. I can’t even use the defroster, which is a hazard because I obviously have to be able to look out the window to see where I’m driving! So that’s a problem. That’s why I can only drive in the middle of the day and not in the rain when the window fogs up.
Just in case it crossed your mind, I have zero interest in a new car for many reasons: (1) My car is better made than new cars today, in my humble opinion. (2) I’ve put so much of my life and soul into this car to keep it well maintained, so giving it up would forfeit all that I’ve put into it over the many years. (3) For an old car, my car insurance is already so high, so why would I get a new car where the car insurance would be even higher? That makes a lot of sense – not! And (4) With no steady income, how would I even afford monthly payments for a new car? Those are just some commonsense things to ponder.
Anyways, I am glad you took the time to read about my situation and thankful for any amount that you are moved to give toward making it better.
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