After hemming and hawing since 2004, I finally got around to having the shock absorbers of my pokey but reliable little Toyota replaced (it has a name and it is Wigby). My mother had been at me for the past three years to get it done, but I balked at the expense, and I had gotten used to the thumping I would hear whenever I bounced on a pothole (loudness of thump directly proportional to size and depth of pothole). Over the years I realized that I couldn't hear the thump if I turned up the stereo, and probably everyone I've ever given a ride in my car will attest to having been subjected to listening to my Twisted Spinster cds at an uncomfortably loud volume. I am pleased to report that there will be a significant reduction in passenger torture, because the thumping is gone, and this was accomplished at a total cost of 10,800 buckers. I was ready to fork over the entire amount, but my mother very kindly footed half the bill (thanks Ma! Dinner's on me sometime this month), this being her week for a windfall at the nursing school she invested in. And I am not one to refuse a generous offer, unless it's coming from someone who wants something in exchange, like any of my major organs or running into a mall in nothing but my underwear.
Before letting me go, the mechanic gave me a talking-to about the state of my underchassis. It's coated with mud. Eight years worth of mud, to be exact, because it has never had an underwashing. He was also particularly bothered with the muck that was caught in the rubber trimming around the trunk, as well as the dust in the hidden corners of the doors. Very obsessive-compulsive, this mechanic. I wouldn't be surprised if that is how he had lost all his hair (he looks like Kojak, only whiter), by getting unduly worked up over his clients' minor sins in vehicle maintenance. But though I find him a tad overzealous with car care, I'm already pencilling in a underwash, engine wash and detailing for next week. If a little green Toyota now rides like a pillow on wheels, it ought to start looking like it does.
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A little maintenance goes a long long way.
ReplyDeleteRemember Tito Fred's Karmann Ghia? Stunning looks, kaso yung chassis puro kalawang at butas. Naubos ang budget sa pag-repair. Also caused alot of rainwater to seep into other areas.
Buti hindi nasira yung strut towers sa pag-thump. Nasira yung towers ng Esteem dati, nag-shred yung front tire.
Nope, the towers are fine and dandy, and I have an underwashing scheduled for tomorrow. Yep, I remember that Karmann. That was a heap of junk.
ReplyDeleteNow that we're on the subject of cars, have you seen Transformers, and is it good? Si Bumblebee ginawa nilang Camaro! Sacrilege!
Teka, teka, teka. Ang mekaniko mo ay parang si Kojak ... only whiter? Which means ... mestizong kalbo ang mekaniko mo????!
ReplyDeleteNaalala ko tuloy iyong first car ko, puro kalampag at puro butas. Kapag binabaha ako sa Manila, lumulutang ang sapatos sa ilalim ng silya ko ...
At sana naman ay maayos na rin ba ang kalampag sa ankle mo?
U-huh, he is tisoy and has absolutely no hair on his head. You should see his kids, they're gorgeous (and they have hair).
ReplyDeleteThe ankle is mending nicely, thank you very much. I will not be able to run a marathon any time soon, but I can now walk without dragging my right foot like it's made of lead.