Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Not Exactly Chump Change....

My 5-year old car needs some attention.

Well, they aren't even making my Saturn Ion anymore!

It was under an extended 5-year warranty (the pay-extra-to-extend-total-coverage) until the first of the year. Of course, the day that ended I expected trouble to start.

Not at all. It's been a fine car.

It was my first NEW car since I pushed a 1973 VW Super Beetle out of the new car showroom.

The mileage is low since I'm retired but it still needs to have the oil changed.

Notice the sign suggests I ask for details. That hint is in much smaller letters.

Had not really shopped around yet so I drove in and was told it would be "about 45 minutes wait for an oil change.

I had a novel with me so no problem there. "So it'll be $17.99, right?" I asked for details.

"Yes. IF you pay with our company credit card, otherwise, the regular rate applies."

Counting a $3 charge for oil disposal (Isn't THAT what they do?) and taxes, it actually would cost about $34.95

.
I did not have their credit card nor did I want one.

I drove home to start some comparison shopping.

Apparently the LARGE price is not the best way to sort out who is going to change your oil.

You know the dealer would charge more - well, if I still HAD a dealer.

Reading the tiny, tiny small print I see some offer 5 quarts of oil and others will give you 6. Disposal fees are $2.50 or $3.00.

Oh, you want REAL oil, not synthetic? Sure, but that good stuff runs a couple of dollars more. (Does OPEC know we can make fake oil?)

I see some will rotate your tires. For free.

Better ask for details.


(Click the images to see more detail. The small print still will be small though.) I once saw a sign that offered to change your radio push buttons for $1. Each?
Thanks for stopping by. Check your brakes.

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posted by chuckography @ 8:24 PM 2 Comments

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Racing The Clock ...and The Calendar.

One sign of a "mid-life crisis" often is a shiny Sports car.

I got mine when I was in my twenties.

It was a British import, much-loved (especially by my mechanic) and a young lady I eventually married, was pretty impressed by my low slung 2-seater with wire-spoked wheels.

The first child meant getting a station wagon so bye-bye Triumph TR-3.

Of course, we now drove a nice sensible little Ford station wagon and our growing family really did need more than 2 leather bucket seats, but a first Sports car is sort of like your first love. Mostly fond memories.

Well, the British-trained mechanic HAD insisted on changing the oil every 1,000 miles.

Jump forward through several marriages, divorces and moves to various cities and states and here I am back in Charleston.

Driving one afternoon in Mt. Pleasant I see a beautifully-restored Triumph in a parking lot.

I slip my card under the windscreen wiper asking the owner to call me.

A few days before Christmas, we met. He let me pose beside it and even sit in it.

It was a VERY snug fit.

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posted by chucker @ 4:17 PM 3 Comments