In Need of Wheels
Donation protected
I’m in need of some assistance in replacing my broken car. The vehicle i am currently driving is dangerously unsafe and malfunctioning, and a car is an absolutely vital necessity for my life. Without a car, my commute to work becomes two and a half hours long by public transit, followed by a walk from the bus stop to the office that stretches over a mile long. I carpool with a coworker who does not have a car of her own, and she is five months pregnant; asking her to take this walk from the stop alone is unconscionable.
HOW I GOT HERE
In 2012 I had a wreck that totaled vehicle I was driving at that time. I managed to purchase a 2007 Ford Focus with the insurance check for a lump sum of $5000, but it’s been a headache ever since.
In April 2013 I had to replace a catalytic converter at the cost of $750, only to find out the the other catalytic converter (the one attached to the manifold) also needed be replaced, costing me another $1200. I had the rear shocks and spark plugs replaced and repairs made to my driver door (which would not open from the outside even when unlocked), the total cost of repairs completed in April came to $1950.
Later that summer, I took it in for an oil change and found out the front brake rotors were so worn down that they need to be replaced. The mechanic couldn’t even check the back breaks because the barrels were on so tight that they’d have to destroy them just to get them off - which would mean I’d also need new barrels. National Tire and Battery’s estimate for the total cost was $1275 for all repairs. I had everything except for the back brakes replaced, costing me a total of about $750, on top of the $1950 I’d already spent earlier last year.
Then in early 2014, I began to have steering issues. I had the rack and pinion replaced, a new steering column installed - basically the entire steering system was replaced. This didn’t seem to solve the problem, so my mechanic warranted the tools and had everything replaced again, and gave my car a realignment.
None of these repairs have solved the problem.
Every time I need to turn hard, back up, or reverse, my car makes noises like an angry Chewbacca. It is extremely difficult to turn. The air conditioning is out as a result of the compressor being broken since 2013. My usual mechanic is so vexed by my car, he is hesitant to touch it and recommends I try another shop.
Just this weekend (8/2/14) we took my car to the dealership. According to their assessment, the power steering is completely gone: the rack is coming apart internally; the pump is coming apart - there are metal pieces and bearings inside of it; and the passenger constant-velocity (CV) axle is coming apart. I would need an alignment and new steering fluid, all to the tune of $2712 before tax.
The service mechanic told me flatly that he didn’t believe the repairs to be worth the cost. he did say they would take it as a trade in, but I don’t have any money and my credit is shot due to long term unemployment. I was able to get job that started just this past monday (July 28, 2014), but without a car I will need to travel two and a half hours and then walk over a mile to reach the office.
Taking this job was a pay cut, but better than unemployment. It will allow me to get ahead on my bills, but not allow me enough to save. I was already contemplating a second job before this - now I will absolutely need one.
I need help to purchase a functioning car. I’m not looking for anything extravagant, but something reliable with reasonable mileage. Unfortunately this is not an expense that I can handle on my own, and my coworker and I need a new car to ride to work as quickly as possible.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
To date I have spent $2700 on repairs to the Focus, with another $2712 required to get it back in safe working order. That’s a total of $5412 in repairs in a year and half!! Since the original cost of the car was nearly $500 less than this total for repairs, I’ve decided that a trade in would be the most prudent choice at this point. The purchase price of a new-to-me used car is still not something that I can afford outright, so this is where your help comes in.
If you have some cash you can spare or if you just share this page, I truly appreciate any help towards this goal.
HOW I GOT HERE
In 2012 I had a wreck that totaled vehicle I was driving at that time. I managed to purchase a 2007 Ford Focus with the insurance check for a lump sum of $5000, but it’s been a headache ever since.
In April 2013 I had to replace a catalytic converter at the cost of $750, only to find out the the other catalytic converter (the one attached to the manifold) also needed be replaced, costing me another $1200. I had the rear shocks and spark plugs replaced and repairs made to my driver door (which would not open from the outside even when unlocked), the total cost of repairs completed in April came to $1950.
Later that summer, I took it in for an oil change and found out the front brake rotors were so worn down that they need to be replaced. The mechanic couldn’t even check the back breaks because the barrels were on so tight that they’d have to destroy them just to get them off - which would mean I’d also need new barrels. National Tire and Battery’s estimate for the total cost was $1275 for all repairs. I had everything except for the back brakes replaced, costing me a total of about $750, on top of the $1950 I’d already spent earlier last year.
Then in early 2014, I began to have steering issues. I had the rack and pinion replaced, a new steering column installed - basically the entire steering system was replaced. This didn’t seem to solve the problem, so my mechanic warranted the tools and had everything replaced again, and gave my car a realignment.
None of these repairs have solved the problem.
Every time I need to turn hard, back up, or reverse, my car makes noises like an angry Chewbacca. It is extremely difficult to turn. The air conditioning is out as a result of the compressor being broken since 2013. My usual mechanic is so vexed by my car, he is hesitant to touch it and recommends I try another shop.
Just this weekend (8/2/14) we took my car to the dealership. According to their assessment, the power steering is completely gone: the rack is coming apart internally; the pump is coming apart - there are metal pieces and bearings inside of it; and the passenger constant-velocity (CV) axle is coming apart. I would need an alignment and new steering fluid, all to the tune of $2712 before tax.
The service mechanic told me flatly that he didn’t believe the repairs to be worth the cost. he did say they would take it as a trade in, but I don’t have any money and my credit is shot due to long term unemployment. I was able to get job that started just this past monday (July 28, 2014), but without a car I will need to travel two and a half hours and then walk over a mile to reach the office.
Taking this job was a pay cut, but better than unemployment. It will allow me to get ahead on my bills, but not allow me enough to save. I was already contemplating a second job before this - now I will absolutely need one.
I need help to purchase a functioning car. I’m not looking for anything extravagant, but something reliable with reasonable mileage. Unfortunately this is not an expense that I can handle on my own, and my coworker and I need a new car to ride to work as quickly as possible.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
To date I have spent $2700 on repairs to the Focus, with another $2712 required to get it back in safe working order. That’s a total of $5412 in repairs in a year and half!! Since the original cost of the car was nearly $500 less than this total for repairs, I’ve decided that a trade in would be the most prudent choice at this point. The purchase price of a new-to-me used car is still not something that I can afford outright, so this is where your help comes in.
If you have some cash you can spare or if you just share this page, I truly appreciate any help towards this goal.
Organizer
Maria Jackson
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
