I swear either someone has put a hex on me, or the world really does not want to see me move forward in life.
Monday morning was as normal as any other. I woke up and struggled to emerge from my warm blankets, dressed myself while in a sleepy stupor, and dragged myself down the stairs to breakfast before I left for work.
The car was even working normally, too. No lights were on, no noise other than the beautiful gentle hum of my perfectly working engine, and not even a tire pressure light (the bane of my existence). I parked in the normal areas of the parking garage a short walking distance from my office and grabbed my backpack to start another work week.
Who would have thought the vehicle gods would look upon my good mood and decide to make it rain?
The moment I get into the car and turn it on, the check engine light, the general warning light, and the VSA lights all turn on, and the car begins to rock back and forth like a cat threatening to puke on the carpet.
I cannot even begin to describe the wave of anger and frustration coursing through me. I have had that car effectively worked on and off with the mechanic for the last two years. She has a 2-year-old engine put in, a brand-new transmission put in just a few months ago, all four tires either new or less than a year old, and brand new brakes. If I had to guess, I would say I’ve put at least $10k into her since February of ’22. The ONLY thing that is ‘original’ on that car is the frame and paint job. If you think about it, she’s really a ’22 vehicle with classic ’07 vibes.
I honestly don’t know how this could have happened.
I’m sure no one tried to put something in the gas tank – the flap covering the cap locks when the car is locked. Can’t open the hood without pulling the inside lever either. The only way someone could get into the engine is to go beneath, and you’re looking at a tight squeeze without a jack.
So how in Earth’s good green acres did that car go from running beautifully in the morning, sitting in the same spot all day, to threatening to fall apart like dried Play-Doh in the evening?
I’m honestly at my wit’s end. Whenever it seems like I’m able to save money, something happens to that car to take every single cent away.
“Welcome to the ‘Adult-Club’, Leah.” I can hear someone saying.
No, this is not an ‘Adult-Club’ thing. An ‘Adult-Club’ thing is having the occasional car issue, but not breaking the bank. Having major internal work done on the car every other season, thus consistently draining what little savings I have to nil, is not.
I’m just so frustrated that the problems aren’t done. I could trade her in, but I don’t want to. Call me a sentimental fool, but that SUV has been through a lot with me.
That SUV saw me through one of the biggest changes in my life: moving out of Maine and into Massachusetts. She helped me job-hop until I landed in MIT. She saw me through 5 different apartments and she always brought me home in one piece. On the few times she did break down on me, she did so in a way that felt like she cared about my safety and well-being. Laugh all you want, but I am convinced that ol’ girl has a soul.
How can I give up on her just yet? I’m convinced I still have at least two more years left in her. I want to at least see her turn 20. If I can get her there, then I will be satisfied.
So keep your fingers crossed for me and pray it’s only a $100 or less fix.
L.J. LaBree 