An ode to Stella...
Oh Stella, my 2004 Honda Civic, where do I begin...
You came into my life June 13, 2014 after owning a real lemon (Hyundai) and borrowing another (Subaru) for a year or so. You were a very welcome addition, giving me back my freedom and independence; helping me to get my groove back, hence your name.
But, being a 10 year old car, you had your quirks. Yellowed headlights, a broken hood release replace by a DIY handle, some rust spots, some bumps and dents, and other usual wear and tear. But, nobody is perfect!
We had a good first year, and then you started to let me down.
First, stranding me at the ice cream parlor late at night, 6-7 months pregnant, DH away in Germany and late for my insulin. Your starter had stopped. CAA to the rescue, and a banana for me from the shop and a couple of long days shuttling back and forth to the garage ahead. Good times, not!
I considered parting ways with you then, but I stuck by and paid extra attention to your complaints. After all, you were now responsible for my LO as well!
And things were going well, until last Winter when your new, used, starter began acting up. And then, one cold winter morning your battery died too. CAA to the rescue again! And, 600$ later I decided it was time. I needed to find something more reliable. Something more family friendly. A car that didn't worry me every time we went out of town with it.
I admit, I wasn't vigilant in my search, and that's what brought us here.
Last week you failed me. More specifically, your brakes did. This was your third and final strike! A hole in the brake line causing fluid to spill out and the pedal to go to mush. All the way to daycare with my BFF next to me (who I had not seen in 4yrs), and all the way back with my BFF and LO in the car. Had I known what the problem was I wouldn't have driven you! You could have seriously hurt us, or worse...
So that was it. The hunt was on. Another tow from CAA, another 200$ repair and a desperate search for your replacement.
Which... surprise! I purchased, yesterday.
I was shocked that they gave you a 1000$ trade-in value and was sure they would offer me half that, but I wasn't about to argue! We have a few days left together and then you are off to a new home... Or the dump, I honestly can't say.
You came into my life June 13, 2014 after owning a real lemon (Hyundai) and borrowing another (Subaru) for a year or so. You were a very welcome addition, giving me back my freedom and independence; helping me to get my groove back, hence your name.
But, being a 10 year old car, you had your quirks. Yellowed headlights, a broken hood release replace by a DIY handle, some rust spots, some bumps and dents, and other usual wear and tear. But, nobody is perfect!
We had a good first year, and then you started to let me down.
First, stranding me at the ice cream parlor late at night, 6-7 months pregnant, DH away in Germany and late for my insulin. Your starter had stopped. CAA to the rescue, and a banana for me from the shop and a couple of long days shuttling back and forth to the garage ahead. Good times, not!
I considered parting ways with you then, but I stuck by and paid extra attention to your complaints. After all, you were now responsible for my LO as well!
And things were going well, until last Winter when your new, used, starter began acting up. And then, one cold winter morning your battery died too. CAA to the rescue again! And, 600$ later I decided it was time. I needed to find something more reliable. Something more family friendly. A car that didn't worry me every time we went out of town with it.
I admit, I wasn't vigilant in my search, and that's what brought us here.
Last week you failed me. More specifically, your brakes did. This was your third and final strike! A hole in the brake line causing fluid to spill out and the pedal to go to mush. All the way to daycare with my BFF next to me (who I had not seen in 4yrs), and all the way back with my BFF and LO in the car. Had I known what the problem was I wouldn't have driven you! You could have seriously hurt us, or worse...
So that was it. The hunt was on. Another tow from CAA, another 200$ repair and a desperate search for your replacement.
Which... surprise! I purchased, yesterday.
I was shocked that they gave you a 1000$ trade-in value and was sure they would offer me half that, but I wasn't about to argue! We have a few days left together and then you are off to a new home... Or the dump, I honestly can't say.
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