Oh no, not again!

For those of you playing along at home, the score has been evened - two new replacement bumpers for both the front and the back.

Someone plowed into me yesterday from behind while I was at a stoplight. My first thought was, "my new license plates!" But they survived. Unfortunately, the back bumper, muffler, alignment and rear wheel took the hit instead. Along with the back of my head from the headrest. Ow! Toyotas make very good bumpers, they just tend to pop away and for safety issues cannot be repaired, only replaced. The other car was much worse - the impact crumpled the hood, broke the headlights and punctured the radiator. Point Toyota! As you can imagine, L is in no hurry to get her driver's license! But she will remember that very good rule -- leave enough space between you and the car ahead so you can see their license plate/bumper -- which saved my car from hitting the one in front of me - and another bumper!

5-15-09 update -- My car is back, yay! Hard to believe it was almost $3,100 in damage!

Next up - my rental car review. Suffice to say I "Escape"d instead and did not take the Chevy Aveo that was proferred to me!

Well, this bumper lasted 13 months. . .

This is what happens when you hit flying twisted sheet metal at 65 mph! I had no choice, no time - the pick-up truck in my lane ran over and launched it and my car clipped it as it was going over into another lane. The bumper even popped away where it wraps over the wheel. And yes, that is a crack! Wow!

I consider myself lucky---

1) I wasn't in an accident with all the other vehicles on the Katy Freeway swerving to avoid this airborne missile...

2) I didn't get two flat tires...

3) It didn't hit the windshield or me

My insurance agency may not be so lucky with me - what with Hurricane Ike and now this. I'm going to get an estimate and may just pay out-of-pocket if it is close to my deductible.

Update: This is what $655.38 looks like. Ouch!

Putt-Putt - KAPUT!

Well, you've got to give us credit for trying, but we've withdrawn the life support for the Putt. Last week it started stalling again, a different way (now something else evidently no longer works)... A 20 minute commute should not take 40 minutes. And the engine dying at 35 mph (no more highway driving?!) and fortunately finding strip malls and driveways to glide into is no fun. First day - a fluke, a second day - life-endangering. No thirds, no thanks.

The new car is currently Dad's, but will eventually be L's when she leaves for college. and then as reward for Good Dadsmanship and driving crappy cars since like forever, he'll get his truck. . .

Oh, and this is the 7th car I've bought on my own, and with L after she was born. It's good for her to know that women can buy cars. And besides, my husband hates to tag along and see the salesmen cry!

Poor "Putt-Putt" Part 2

For those of you playing along with the home game version, if you guessed FUEL PUMP, you win! I lose - about $710.55 Wah! But on the gratitude side, instead of giving up and giving it back with the possibility still out there it would happen again, they were persistent and got the Putt to throw the computer code again. For those who know something about Ford Escort fuel pumps (and props to you if you do!), the pressure is supposed to be 35 something, and it dropped below 31 something. We were very lucky - a fuel pump which suddenly stops working is not a problem you want to have.

Poor "Putt-Putt"

"Putt-Putt," our 1999 Ford Escort (giggle if you must, it gets 30+ mpg!), stalled yesterday without warning, and after 5 minutes, was able to restart and drive home without incident. That little voice in my head said, uh-uh, take it in to get it checked. We turned it over to our mechanic today and learned the computer had two error codes - one for the electrical circuit, the other for the fuel circuit. Cross your fingers it was something minor that made it throw the codes, and not a $$$ repair. I'll take cheap offers of the battery, a fuse, etc. Though in an attempt to make us feel better (?!), Jeff said better to fix something now than face an even major-er future failure. Sigh. . .

Hissss!

This morning on the way to the Post Office to get postage figures for eBay on the way to working out, there was an unusual amount of traffic clogged in front. Other cars were going on the shoulder lane, so I did, too. I didn't hear anything, but as I was at the APC, someone came in and asked who has the car on the left side of the parking lot, it's making a hissing noise! ??!! Of all the empty spots he could have parked in, I'm glad he was next to mine. He said his car made that same noise before the tire went flat. I figured (I hoped!) I had enough air to get to a better place and call AAA. Fortunately I only had to wait about 30 minutes, which is about what it took for the tire to go completely flat. And fortunately again, it was repairable for only $7. Thank you to the mystery USPS customer, good Karma to you!