Checking in from extremely far behind! Seems like whenever I think I'm starting to make some progress, something occurs to knock me farther back than before.
This time it's my car. Again.
Saturday DH was driving and as we pulled into the diner's parking space, I heard a thunk and a scrape. We looked under the car and something was hanging down, but neither of us was sure what it was. DH thought probably the parking brake cable. Luckily we didn't have far to drive home. DH was able to tie the mystery part up with a bungee cord and Monday I called to make a Tuesday a.m. appointment with my usual mechanic. I drove to work per usual Monday and everything seemed fine.
Tuesday I grabbed a book to take with me because I assumed I'd be in the mechanic's waiting room awhile. I even wore extra layers in case I decided to walk to a restaurant. Again, driving to TheBigCity auto repair place, everything felt normal.
I expected them to look over the car and tell me the parking brake needed rebuilt, and I needed new tires, and I'd already told them to go ahead and change the oil. However ...
They came to get me in less than 5 minutes to look under the car.
No point in fixing anything because the rear axle is rusted so badly it looks like it might break apart any time.
The mechanic was worried about me driving home to TinyTown and strongly advised me to take back roads at slow speed rather than the interstate. I got home fine and the car has been parked ever since.
We knew we had to replace DH's car soon. We hoped mine would hang on another year or 2. Not to be.
DH has a good idea what he wants so we went to a car lot last night after they closed to see a few models in person. I have to work Saturday but I'll get off early enough that we can go back to test drive and ask questions.
I just want a basic vehicle with good gas mileage for going to work and running errands. He wants some fancier features. We definitely need 2 vehicles but the question will be whether to buy both now or hold off on his.
I hope we can find good enough deals to be able to afford to buy both cars now. I worry about him driving around in his old beater.