Car Repairs and Replacement
Donation protected
Hey folks,
I’ll dispense with the small talk this time. Allow me just to get to the point.
On February 19, my wife’s car died. After a long, drawn-out process, we finally got it to the mechanic’s shop, only to find it was far beyond repair. The timing belt had broken, ripping up the inside of the engine. The entire engine block needed to be replaced, which would cost $1400. The car’s transmission was dying, too, which would cost another $1000 to replace.
It was a 2002 Mazda Protege worth $700. $2400 to fix a 16-year-old $700 car… well, that was that. It’s dead.
Now, we’re stuck with one vehicle, a 1999 Honda Accord. To make matters worse, physical reasons make it hard for my wife to drive the car, but I don’t want to get into that (no, it’s not automatic/manual transmission). We’ve gone through all of our options. Public transportation in our area isn’t feasible for several reasons (from money to safety). Carpools and the like can only do so much (though I’m trying). And in our area, biking/walking isn’t an option.
My wife now has to deal with driving a car she’s really uncomfortable with while handling two kids, one of which is going to first grade. She has her own job on Fridays, too. All while having to drop me off and pick me up from work. She can’t go to her upcoming classes. I can’t do medical appointments.
Compound that with our current financial status and several other issues, well, we’re in trouble.
We’ve already started repairs to make it easier for my wife to drive the car, but it’s super pricey (screw whoever came up with fancy powered driver seats). In the end, we decided the only feasible solution is a second vehicle. However, the only cars in our price range either have too much mileage or are too old to qualify for an auto loan. And even doing that is going to be bad for us.
So, a few friends convinced me to start a fundraiser to help us out. The proceeds would go to cover the cost of fixing my car to make it safe for her to drive. The rest will go toward a downpayment of a replacement vehicle.
Right now, we’re looking at something like a 2007 Accord with around 100,000 miles on it. We’re not aiming for anything even remotely new, just something that gets the job done.
So, I’ve never asked for anything like this before. I hope you’ll forgive me for asking now. I’ve fought this for over a week, but we’re just out of options. I’ve been sick from stress about this entire fiasco.
I’m sorry I’m asking. I really don’t want to. But I don’t know what else to do. If you guys have suggestions, I’m more than willing to hear them.
Thanks for your time.
I’ll dispense with the small talk this time. Allow me just to get to the point.
On February 19, my wife’s car died. After a long, drawn-out process, we finally got it to the mechanic’s shop, only to find it was far beyond repair. The timing belt had broken, ripping up the inside of the engine. The entire engine block needed to be replaced, which would cost $1400. The car’s transmission was dying, too, which would cost another $1000 to replace.
It was a 2002 Mazda Protege worth $700. $2400 to fix a 16-year-old $700 car… well, that was that. It’s dead.
Now, we’re stuck with one vehicle, a 1999 Honda Accord. To make matters worse, physical reasons make it hard for my wife to drive the car, but I don’t want to get into that (no, it’s not automatic/manual transmission). We’ve gone through all of our options. Public transportation in our area isn’t feasible for several reasons (from money to safety). Carpools and the like can only do so much (though I’m trying). And in our area, biking/walking isn’t an option.
My wife now has to deal with driving a car she’s really uncomfortable with while handling two kids, one of which is going to first grade. She has her own job on Fridays, too. All while having to drop me off and pick me up from work. She can’t go to her upcoming classes. I can’t do medical appointments.
Compound that with our current financial status and several other issues, well, we’re in trouble.
We’ve already started repairs to make it easier for my wife to drive the car, but it’s super pricey (screw whoever came up with fancy powered driver seats). In the end, we decided the only feasible solution is a second vehicle. However, the only cars in our price range either have too much mileage or are too old to qualify for an auto loan. And even doing that is going to be bad for us.
So, a few friends convinced me to start a fundraiser to help us out. The proceeds would go to cover the cost of fixing my car to make it safe for her to drive. The rest will go toward a downpayment of a replacement vehicle.
Right now, we’re looking at something like a 2007 Accord with around 100,000 miles on it. We’re not aiming for anything even remotely new, just something that gets the job done.
So, I’ve never asked for anything like this before. I hope you’ll forgive me for asking now. I’ve fought this for over a week, but we’re just out of options. I’ve been sick from stress about this entire fiasco.
I’m sorry I’m asking. I really don’t want to. But I don’t know what else to do. If you guys have suggestions, I’m more than willing to hear them.
Thanks for your time.
Organizer
Ryan Stansifer
Organizer
Mission Viejo, CA
