2002.08.06 life sucks:
so, yeah, life sucks.
it's like this: a few months ago (you might remember) i took my car in to get the brakes (and some other things) worked on. well, when i got the car back, i heard some noises coming from the brakes when i used them. i, in my limitless ignorance, just assumed that the new brakes had to get "broken in" or something. i fully intended to take the car back to the shop to have them tell me what they did wrong, but i had neither the money nor the time consecutively at the right moments so that i could. long story short, i'm riding around on crappy brakes for a couple months, marveling at the grinding noises of metal on metal at each stop.
cut to: last sunday night.
after a lengthy somewhat frustrating band practice, our hero and his cohort are in a red toyota tercel driving down a side street towards a circular intersection. as they approach the stop sign, our hero begins to apply his brakes. his foot promptly reaches the floor of the car, (SFX: "clunk, thump") which keeps moving with no loss of speed. frantic brake pumping ensues, and the vehicle rolls to a stop just a hair past the stop sign.
Matt: (dripping sarcasm)
"well, that was interesting."
Brax: (concern & confusion)
"what happened?"
Matt: (disgusted)
"the brakes just went out."
Brax: (more concern)
"went out?"
Matt: (more disgust, mixed with incredulity)
"totally. out. gone."
Brax: (concern increasing)
"what are you gonna do? can we make it home?"
Matt: (determined, still disgusted)
"yeah. we'll make it home ok. i've still got the emergency brake."
pull back through driver's side window to shot of car moving slowly down an incline and away from the (stationary) camera.
Nate said:
What is the sound of shit sucking?
the puffin said:
hang in there, champ.
Lisa said:
Preach, brother. I had almost exactly the same stuff break on my car a couple of weeks ago. *sniff* I miss that $750. And oh- just ask Neil about Pep Boys. Heh.
scott said:
When you get through living & learning, you should get a honda civic. Sorry to hear about the shit. It does suck. a lot.
m@ said:
Civic is number one on my list of new cars. Pep Boys is number one on my list of places to never go again.
Thankfully, Nate has been kind enough to point me to some sites that should help me find a good "family" mechanic (when i do get a new car, that is… no more money on the current money sponge.) But hey, if anybody has any specific "highly-recommended" mechanics in the Highlands area, i'd be muchly appreciative.
scott said:
st. matthews imports. i'm impressed and will use them again. scott says it's the only place he's ever used.
brian. said:
that was from me…scott fucked it all up.
m@ said:
i've heard good things about them, but are they not rather expensive?
scott said:
I see… your looking for a good quality, cheap mom & pop kind of establishment. good luck with that. St. Matthews Imports is not dirt cheap, but I think their prices are better than the dealership. Plus they're really nice. My brother worked for them some years back and I've had nothing but good experience. the problem is that they have a great reputation and a lot of people have started using their service, so they're really busy all the time. remember, cheap doesn't always mean better… sometimes you just get what you pay for. I think you'll save more in the long run if you have quality work done up front.
m@ said:
good points. i wouldn't be afraid of paying a little extra if i know the work will be top quality. I just also don't want to get royally screwed like i've been at PepBoys.
brian. said:
st. matthews imports keeps solid records on your car…it's like a family doctor for your honda. they send you reminders of when you need a check-up, etc. a really good place.
Nate said:
Or you could just ante up and learn how to work on your car yourself. 😉
m@ said:
ha!
lisa said:
My ancient blue Mazda keeps Conn's Auto Service on Bardstown Road just south of the Douglass Loop in business. They're great there. They have always been nice to me and have never ripped me off;I'd highly recommend them.
Nate said:
That's actually my old next-door neighbor. He is good, but I thought he only did body work. Super guy.
lisa said:
Conn's has two shops right next to each other- one where they do body work, and one where they fix your car's broken innards. One stop shopping!