I have been working on getting my to do list done.

Friday was get the car fixed. I had hoped to only spend like $200. I should have known better.

I went in planning on getting a NEW set of keys made since years back when I got one of my sets stuck in the ignition they replaced the ignition. That repair only came with one set of keys. I wanted a second set of keys made incase I locked my keys in the car. Trust me I have had a few close calls. These close calls also involved banged up hands as I used my hand to stop the car door from closing all the way. The car keys had a ignition security chip in them so a set costs $75.

I also wanted a new remote car starter FOB. My FOB still works but not well since the button to unlock the door is actually broken into the FOB and you have to hit it 12 times sometimes to make sure it gets the message that YES you really do wanted the door to open. I believe the FOB was $50.

I needed a oil change so $30 plus or minus. I don't have the record of my bill in front of me but it always seems like oil changes cost around $30. BF could do this BUT I figured since I was going in for the other stuff I would save him the time and just do it there.

I was having issues with my turn signal. I thought it could be a corroded light bulb socket. The part IF you can get it is like $12 (BF went to the autoparts store and tried to order it; but they never called him back to say they actually got it in - BACK Order Nightmere). On the other hand in the past I have had issues with my turn signals and it ended up being the actual lever. That is spendy so I had hoped it was not that. Well it was the lever.

I also was getting an ABS light on in the dash, BF plugged his BASIC diagnostic device onto my car and it did not return anything. Of course his device is not the $1000 version that includes ABS options, but we figured he ruled out basic break issues that can also result in the light turning on. Well the repair was the ABS Sensor Harness. The part itself is actually pretty inexpensive, and according to BF a pretty basic easy repair.

Well they called me back with a quote of $830-$850 plus tax. Note that I had $155 plus or minus in routine stuff but the other two issues I was hoping to spend less than $45ish on. I was told both the light lever and ABS switch repairs would run $350 EACH.

This is where I made my mistake. I have two weeks left until I deploy. My BF is a vehicle mechanic, and the only thing BF could not do was make the SUPER Crazy Secure Keys that have to come from the Manufacter and the Remote FOB (don't sell the part to general public here).

I called BF to see if he could do the repairs, I was not sure IF he could do electrical repairs (lots of wires in lever). He said in the past he does not LIKE to do them...But he can. For some reason I could not remember if he said he did not like to do them or did NOT do them. I had called and left a voicemail for BF. Then I texted him since it sometimes is less disruptive to text then to take a voice call. Well I did not wait very long (felt like forever but really was not). And then by the time I was able to get ahold of him (he was at drill) I had already called back and authorized the repairs.

BF called back and said he could do both, and truthfully both repairs are minor issues and even if he can't get to them in the next two weeks the car is still drivable.

I thought about it and called the repair shop back and was going to only have them do the original list and leave the two repairs, but the lever was already done and the guy was half way done with the ABS.

Ideally, I would have stopped the repairs and only paid $50 or so for the 50 point inspection to figure out the problem and BF could have gotten to the repairs during the 1 year I was gone. But oops!

Oh well, at least it is done. I got there to pick up my car and then made sure to ask if they had any discounts. I have the (same shop but old NAME) discount card (5% off that is put on the card for future payment). Well I had $21.41 on the card BUT they also give military discount of 15% off PARTS ONLY. The kicker is you can only use one discount.

The lady was pushing the Card but in my head I figured the Parts would come out ahead. So I had the lady figure it out and I came out ahead using Military discount. The order would have earned me like $20 (future) and I had $21.41 on my card but military discount earned me $45 off now but I could not use my $21.41 this visit.

The original bill was $750 after tax, then I got $45 off for military, so $705 total bill.

So basically I think
Basic Maintence $155
Repairs $550

*****

Now the thought for the day. I don't know when my last repair for my car was, but on 9-9-2011 it was $550. I figure that is like 2 months of car payments so I am still in the repairs are less than payment stage so still worth holding on to.

BF wants me to get a different vehicle when I get back and just trade this one in. I am not ready to trade this one in. I don't think dealers give you enough for trade in, plus this is a good car. The only complaint is that during the winter we get too much snow that I need something higher off the ground. Part of me wants this as my summer car and get a winter vehicle and then this one could be a spare...and a future vehicle for my 8 year old. If nothing else I would find out what they would offer for trade in and sell it to family for that price (someone is always looking for a good cheap car it seams).

I just don't know if BF and I are going to agree on a different vehicle for me. Because
#1. I do not want a loan, but I am a buy new and drive into ground girl.
#2. I do not want full coverage (loan or newer car)
#3. I do not want to give up my very reliable car for trade in
#4. I do want a great gas mileage vehicle with high ground clearance....Had thought about 3 different SUV's and he pooo poooed each idea because they were imports (Honda, Toyota, and the final was a hybred). I then started really thinking about either a Jeep Patriot or Jeep Compass. Both get good Gas Mileage and New the prices are still within most finacial experts Vehicle to Income ratio. Well when I said Jeep he said "AHHHHHHH when you go to look at different vehicle bring me with...Well duh. Of course I am going to bring him with, even if I buy NEW). Two people against one salesman for the lowest price- Win Win!

Not sure what to do. BF's compaint with imports and Hybreds is the higher repair parts cost...But if I buy a Quailty NEW vehicle the repair cost will be minimul for a while.

What to do, What to do.