In the back of my mind, I’ve always had this fear of the air conditioner in my car breaking down. For one thing, my car is black. The other thing is my car was made in Sweden…so, nothing against the Swedes – never been there though I am sure they are all very cool people; but it just seems that their quality- control methodologies would not focus on Texas-climate conditions.
I know, I am a total freak. I really am.
I was living in such fear of my air conditioner that for years I would hardly ever even turn it on. I would literally show up to work covered in sweat because my air conditioner had held me hostage in my black car during a commute in Dallas traffic in August. Don’t even get my started on my issues with the seat warmers.
My mom would always point out the absurdity of fearing the mechanical failure of a function to the point that I could not even use it; not to mention just the sight of me driving around town in 100+ degree heat in car equipped with a functioning air condition that I did not use.
Well, this was the year that I decided to listen to my mother, face my fears and utilize my air conditioner whenever the atmospheric temperature warranted.
So last Thursday, I am driving home from work seemingly over my phobia, when my up-until-now-under-appreciated air conditioner suddenly starts to blow hot air in my face. Are you kidding me? A few seconds later, the vents start to spit out a burning smell. Not good.
With the air conditioner turned off, I open the windows and try to absorb the situation. This isn’t bad. Windows, fresh air. Just like old times. We’re good, we’re good.
But now, there is this funny rattling sound coming from the inner workings of the car…even with the air conditioner turned off.
LSS, the guys down at the Saab repair shop tell me that my compressor has succumbed to the Texas heat and I am looking at a $1700 repair bill.
My nightmare has been realized. That's what I get for facing my fears like a man. What a load of crap. If I had only allowed myself to be held hostage by my phobias, I would have saved myself a whole lot of money.
Oh, and my radio is fast-forwarding through the preset stations all on its own for some reason. That’ll be another $1000. Fer realz? What sort of Swedish technology advancements require that a radio cost $1000?
7 comments:
Hmm, sounds to me like you need to hire a priest to perform an exorcism, not a mechanic to "fix" the car for you. That would freak me out if my radio started scanning the preset stations on its own!! Good luck with your car...what make is it so I make sure not to get one?
Yes, the radio station thing is kinda scary. And it always seems to happen exclusively when there's a good song playing.
In all fairness to the Swedes, my Saab 9-3 has been a very good car up until now...I've put almost 119,000 miles on it (it's a 2001).
Wow, okay didn't realize that it has that much mileage on it. Pretty impressive, then! My car's a 2003 Mazda Protege, my very first major purchase and very first bona fide own car (my mom did not pay a single cent for it). I have been looking wistfully at a Mini Cooper S convertible for a while now, though...but I have to wait until I know where I'm going to be next fall when Kason (he's currently at Army Basic Training and will be back Aug. 1) goes to law school. Have you thought about what your new car will be when the time comes to replace your Saab?
Minis are fun. Watch "The Italian Job"...any hesitation to buy one will be quickly forgotten!
Even though I am a single guy, I think that my next car will be a station wagon...I like the versatility of the wagon without the mileage/environmental footprint of an SUV. Something kinda sporty...like an Audi A4 Avant could totally blow my hair back (if I had a lot of hair).
Actually, that was the first thing I noticed about that movie--the cuuuute matching Minis! :)
Ahh, Audis are good cars--haha you could grow your hair out so it'd blow in the wind.
Howard! Where's your post from tonight's WOD? :)
Sorry, my bad. I'm on it.
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