The Car, continued
Last night I went to pick up my car. The repair shop was open until 6:00. We got there at 5:45 and they were still working on it, but assured me it would be done shortly. The mechanic went over the bill and even gave me $70 in discounts. (“It’s like I’m making money on the deal!” I joked.)
The mechanic’s assistant took the car for a test drive and then checked the water pump pressure. After 10 minutes of what sounded like someone making the world’s largest Blizzard, the assistant drove off again with my car and the mechanic came over. “Should just be a few more minutes. It’s being stubborn and burping air.”
Finally, at 6:30, the assistant pulled up in my car. Both he and the mechanic waved goodbye and drove off. That’s when I saw it.
The rear window was halfway down.
The rear window whose motor is “sluggish,” meaning it has the power to pull my window up no more than 1/8 of an inch every 15 minutes.
Oh, shit.
The motor was completely dead. The window refused to go up, it refused to go down, and it refused to budge despite my pleas, threats and muttered oaths.
I completely forgot to tell them to be careful of the window, because honestly, I didn’t realize they opened the windows when fixing your car. (“How could you NOT know that?” Jason asked me, incredulous. And I retorted, “Why would they need to open my window to fix stuff under the HOOD?”)
I got home, despondent at the thought of spending $300 for a new window motor (which I’ve had to replace twice already in a different window, and no, I don’t spend my life going through drive-up windows or anything where I need to open my window that much).
Then the weatherman said there would be thunderstorms all day today.
So this morning I grabbed a roll of duct tape, a giant black garbage bag and had Jason tape up my window.
Then I cried because I was ghetto. And despondent.
And then two minutes into my 25-minute freeway jaunt, the tape came free and the plastic started slapping at my window.
SLAP SLAP SLAP SLAP SLAP, SLAPPITY SLAP for 21 miles. That is a long time. It’s also very loud.
Then I called the mechanic and told him the situation and said it was my fault for not warning him about the window, and asked how many children I would have to bear and sign over to him to offset the cost of a new window motor.
And he said:
“Don’t worry about it. It’s on me. Bring it in tomorrow morning and I’ll take care of it.”
He’s going to open the side panel, jimmyrig the motor to get the window back up and he isn’t going to charge me a dime. Not even for labor.
I think I’m the luckiest unlucky person I know.
I was laughing so hard at the SLAP SLAP visual. Oh man, I would have cried. That’s awesome that they’re doing the window for free. It’s a good thing when the car repair guy feels sorry for you.
Comment by LoriD — June 16, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Okay that is super nice of the mechanic dude! Crap… I would cried about being ghetto myself but the thing that would have made me really cry would have been the duct tape giving way and the slappy sound. i KNOW things will get better for you! Hang in there!
Comment by Christina — June 16, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
I had to do something similar on my ancient Land Rover…my biggest issue was that it was the driver window so that meant no drive-thru’s…the very reason I wanted a car that wasn’t as wide as our dually truck. GAHHHHH. Of course, every other thing that could be wrong with a car was wrong with this car, too.
I’m glad your mechanic is being nice to you. He needs to be after all you’ve spent there.
Comment by Shannon — June 16, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
Aww, what a nice mechanic! Does he ever visit Ohio?
Comment by Sara — June 16, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
I had no idea that they opened car windows either. And this post does not provide me with a satisfactory explanation of why.
Comment by Jess — June 16, 2009 @ 2:17 pm
Jess,
Jason says if you ever look into the service bays, the cars inside always have their windows open. Which I did not know. The mechanic said they opened them because one guy was in the car as the other was messing with the radiator, and it got really steamy and hot in the garage, so ta-da! Opened car windows. I also assume it’s so the guys can hear each other, but who knows?
Comment by Shauna — June 16, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
oy. that situation is bittersweet, but at least a little more sweet than bitter
Comment by Alice — June 16, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
I don’t remember if you said what kind of car you drive, but it isn’t a VW, by chance… I have the same problem with my window motor (on our third motor, now stuck permanently in the closed position because we are tired of getting it fixed), and I have heard so many similar stories from VW owners.
Comment by My Buddy Mimi — June 16, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
My goodness, you are the luckiest unlucky person! Oh, my tummy is knots for you. What a ride.
Comment by Artemisia — June 16, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
SLAPPITY SLAP SLAP – OMG!!!!!
You deserve a little gift from the universe. Accept it with grace.
Comment by Shelly — June 16, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
MBM,
Nope, I drive a Chevy Cavalier. I’ve replaced the window motor in the driver’s window at least twice (possibly three times), and the back passenger window has been sluggish for about a year. Ick.
The worst was when the first window motor died (right before I was about the enter an automatic car wash), and then the following week I drove out to Boston, having to stop at about one billion tollbooths along the way.
Comment by Shauna — June 16, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
That’s awesome! I’ve been reading for a while but haven’t commented yet but stories about good mechanics warm my heart so now I will– my dad has a shop and he would totally help any customer the way yours helped you. Best thing you can do for a mechanic is to spread the word that they do good, honest, helpful work and are willing to accommodate your budget best they can.
Comment by kenandbelly — June 16, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
OMG. I love him and want to bear his children.
Comment by Swistle — June 16, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
Oh! I’m so sorry about your car, but also laughing at your retelling of it. “Then I cried because I was ghetto. And despondent.”
I have definitely been there! I’m so glad the mechanic was nice about the window.
Comment by Kate — June 16, 2009 @ 5:41 pm
Also thanks for the window explanation – I didn’t know that either and my car’s passenger window is definitely not to be trifled with. Will remember that next time I take it in.
Comment by Kate — June 16, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
Wow! I wish our repair guys were as friendly as yours.
Comment by amber — June 16, 2009 @ 6:16 pm
Slippity Slap! Which highway in MPLS do you drive on? Because there are certain sections where I’m sure you’d fit right in with your hot ghetto garbage bag and duct tape window. Others not so much. As long as you don’t have to drive through Edina I’m sure no one thought twice about it.
And since he’s fixing it for free I’d say that your rally cap is on and in effect!!
Ok I do own a VW (got it in September) and My Buddy Mimi’s comment totally has me freaked out because my windows sometimes sounds BAD when I try to roll them up. NERVOUS!!!!
Comment by Emily — June 16, 2009 @ 6:23 pm
OMG Shauna! Seriously, the good karma (or CARma! HA! Oh, man. I’ve sunk to a new low.) gods need to visit you and Jason, STAT! You TOTALLY deserve it!
Although, the duct-taped window visual had me rolling. It’s as though we are long-lost relatives. I have been down these same POS car roads several times over.
It’s always a teeny bit easier to bear when you have a mechanic with a heart.
Comment by stephanie — June 17, 2009 @ 7:27 am
Now that I’ve read the other comments, I feel that I am in good company that this made me laugh out loud. Oh man, Shauna, that is just awful… and also wonderful.
Also, I had no idea about the window-rolling-down extravaganza that takes place at the mechanic. I feel much more educated now.
Comment by Whimsy — June 17, 2009 @ 8:43 am
I wouldn’t have thought to tell them about the window either. So thanks for that tip! I’ve had to replace my driver’s window motor, too, and yes, it is a total pain when it dies.
Best wishes that things turn around soon! And Yay! for good, helpful mechanics!
Comment by Shelly — June 17, 2009 @ 10:36 am
Shauna! I saw this recipe and immediately thought you might enjoy it. I know it’s not a new car, but it’s BACON, so it’s ALMOST as good:
http://www.mydailymoment.com/recipes/morning-bacon-casserole.php
Comment by stephanie — June 17, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
Ach. Isn’t that great?
Oh, and did you at least GET a blizzard out of the deal???
Comment by Ellie — June 18, 2009 @ 8:07 am