I Hate Car Repair

01 Dec 2003 By

I need to take my car in for service, but I’m almost afraid to. The last time I took it in I ended up needing $300+ worth of work that “couldn’t wait” and it was strongly suggested that I drop $500+ on shocks.

That was four months and 6,000 miles ago and I haven’t even gotten the oil changed. I’m afraid they’ll tell me something else is really wrong. I still need the driver door handle fixed and I’m sure I can’t afford that. I skipped the last major go ’round of routine maintenance, so I probably shouldn’t skip this one. Plus it needs to be winterized. I think that involves the radiator somehow.

I can never decide if I should take it to the mechanic I like (Mr. Mechanic in Detroit, or Autopia in Minneapolis) or to the dealer. I feel like the mechanic is gonna give me a better price at the very least. I’ve had nothing but good experiences with the mechanics I’ve used. But the dealer is supposed to be the expert on my car. I feel like the dealer will be more likely to point out any problems I didn’t already know about and I’m ambivalent about that. Ignorance is bliss, whatnot. Until it breaks down, anyway.

I wish I at least knew how to the change the oil. I feel like that’s one of those things you should just know. I wonder if I can find somebody to teach me.

  • http://www.contractorpeon.com/blog glenn

    haha, scared to take it in for fear of learning the truth? At least take your car to get an oil change. The guys at the oil change places usually aren’t mechanics and can’t hold your car for ransom, errrr, suggest more repairs.

  • http://www.funkalicious.us Funkalicious

    I agree. Go to an oil change place. They’ll do the needed routine stuff and then make suggestions if they see anything else that needs attention. I have found there is less pressure in those places and they tend to be nicer to women.

  • http://liminalmusings.blogspot.com Deirdre

    I’ll give another vote for an oil change place. Dealers overcharge.

    If you *really* want to learn how to change the oil, I can fix you up with my would-be greasemonkey husband next time you’re around this neck o’ the woods.

  • http://beenie.highlymoody.com/ Kat

    Another vote for the oil change place.

  • http://www.swirlspice.com Erica

    Alright, I’m going to the Valvoline place down the street first thing in the morning.