Yesterday, the state of our car was discussed briefly in the update. Specifically, we had made a special trip to purchase a bicycle and were blissfully unaware of any mechanical issues whatsoever (read: the car had been performing perfectly). So on the drive home from picking up the bicycle, my car, a 2002 Honda Odyssey, started behaving in an usual way. Basically, it acted as if it wanted to die, prompting me to make all sorts of jokes about my bicycle being my new mode of transportation.
Hahaha.
As it turns out, the joke is on me because my car completely and totally died. Wait, that's not entirely accurate. The vehicle starts perfectly, but going into gear and actually driving is getting less likely by the day. The transmission is no longer working in a manner that would render the car drivable. I was in denial about the severity of this mechanical problem, explaining to friends/acquaintances that the car is "making a noise" and that I was driving Skip's car as a precaution. When Skip arrived home from being out of town and drove the car, a series of events happened, various warning lights illumined, and the car barely made it home. We are virtually certain that were she to be driven again, it would not only be her last duty but that it would end with her being carried home via tow service.
This is a Honda that has been perfectly maintained, and this transmission is the car's second. The first transmission gave out at 70,000 miles, and this second transmission is failing at 150,000 -- not a good life span for a major component. Honda's 2002 and 2003 transmissions were shoddy, and we have a 2002 (Odyssey) and a 2003 (Pilot). We are hoping to laugh about that someday, but not now... it's much too soon... especially since we are experiencing similar issues with the Pilot (also perfectly maintained/driven gently). Honda, you are SO on my list. Despite the lighthearted tone here, we will never own another one.
Our cars are 11 and 12 years old, and we expected to drive them for many more years. Frankly, we believe in driving cars for as long as possible, and we have never experienced "new car fever.". The one time I made a new car purchase, I also experienced the disappointment of having a piece of a tractor tire strike the hood and windshield, scraping both, within the first week of ownership. The resulting queasiness is not a feeling I am eager to repeat. We are also pragmatic enough that the idea of spending thousands of dollars, only to have that purchase depreciate as soon as the tires leave the parking lot pavement is nauseating.
We come from families who also have great reservations when purchasing cars. To evidence those reservations, I proffer the following:
- Regardless of your mileage, e.g., 50K, 150K, 250K, 300K, my dad will dismiss any concerns you may have about the longevity of your car, saying, "You've got another 100,000 miles - EASY.". If you seem skeptical, he will say, "It's not even broke in yet!"
- My mother bought her first new car in 1992 - a 1991 Toyota Camry. Although it's now 22 years old, she still has it as a secondary car.
- Skip's dad's claim to fame is throwing a check at a car salesman and daring him to tear it up. If this seems overly aggressive to you, it's been a while since you bought a car. Because after spending a weekend car shopping? This makes sense to me.
All of the above is intended to lend credibility to this next statement: We do not like buying cars - so much so that our last two car purchases were very used cars (mileage in excess of 100k) bought from family members, and the only reason we went to various dealerships this past weekend is that none of our family members have any "for sale" signs on their cars.
Skip and I have both been negotiating professionally for over 20 years, and we realize our car shopping experience could be protracted. We currently have three offers with three different dealerships, but we are not anticipating a quick purchase.
We are patient. Besides, I have a new bicycle to break in.
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