cars

I have a hoarding problem it would seem when it comes to cars. We currently have three, and I feel conflicted with the idea of parting with any of them. Two of them are paid in full, but have had their fair share of repairs. The repairs on the surface seem expensive but when considering the prospect of a long term commitment to a car payment, I feel better about the short term pain than ditching a car all together.

Having older cars is the reason we have AAA membership. When people make the argument that everyone that owns a car must buy car insurance is comparable to forcing everyone to buy health insurance, they are being silly. Car insurance doesn't primarily protect the owner, it protects banks and strangers from the owner if minimum coverage is purchased. AAA membership is more comparable to health insurance, yet not everyone has AAA membership.

Anyways, J is nine months pregnant and it is winter, so I have had her drive our biggest and newest car, Dodge Journey. Normally, it was for weekends and family trips, so the mileage has been low. The longer we hold on to the Sebring and Neon as weekday cars, the longer we can keep the mileage low on the family car. Currently the Sebring has noise it makes that sound like it's going over a manhole. Nothing too worrisome, but I'll drive the Neon until money is more freed up to pay for the repair to the Sebring.

The Neon has had an expensive year. Last winter and spring, it needed new tires in addition to new timing belt, water pump and another matter that was a few hundred bucks. I had the $2000 in upkeep spread out over a seven month period, and I was thoroughly annoyed when I had a rear brake fall apart and become wedged in the wheel well.

Ever back out of the garage and coast? Well I wasn't coasting, and for a moment thought I had hit something. Describing the situation to a mechanic, he aptly suggested I get the car towed on a flatbed to the shop. I called AAA, and a regular wrecker came! I said that I had asked for a flatbed since the rear tire was stuck, so the dude called dispatch and relayed to me it would a significant wait. He then tells me that he can use dollies, but it took him nearly an hour to get them attached. Before he started, he had me initial and sign a form. It was raining so I didn't read it before signing. I read my copy inside my house, and he had marked that my car had preexisting DAMAGE! Dude filled out a new ticket without a fuss, but I swear he was trying to pull a fast one on me.

The repair to the car was more than a car payment, but less than 2, so I am not too anxious to get rid of the Neon for a car that can seat 6 like the Mazda5. Haven't driven a Mazda5 yet, but there's a good chance it will be the next car we buy... if we don't get another Dodge Journey, at least! Just love the Journey! Mileage could be better in a Mazda5, but the known qualities of the Journey make it seem a luxury worth the extra gas. We have a Journey and don't need a second. We have two paid in full cars that are covered by AAA, so we're fine until one hits the beyond salvaging point.

Yes, I'm a car hoarder, but I think I'm content with 3 at a time.