“Take a seat”
Or “tek a seat” rather. Either way, you don’t need to speak Jamaican patois to figure that out.
“Look pon dis”
Engine vomit is not cute
Honda, we have a problem
A blind man could see that an engine’s not supposed to look like that. Shit, it’s so bad my Jamaican mechanic just stopped using words all together. The tired man just raised his eyebrow, shook his head slowly and drew a lazy line across his neck.
“It’s done”
At least 4 of his other handymen are all gathered round staring at the engine by this time.
He breaks the silence once more.
“You ever seen anything like that?”
They all shake their heads. Heck, I’m no mechanic and I knew it was bad. You don’t need a GED to figure hot oil spewing out a head gasket = fail. The diagnostic came next:
“Marc, I can fix anything. I never back down from a challenge. But this…this can’t be fixed”
It’s true. This man opens his shop at 9am and I’ve seen him close regularly at 11pm. He’s one of the hardest working men in the business. He’s like a neurosurgeon for cars complete with price quotes for random parts cuz he does it so much.
Funny enough, I wasn’t upset, angry, sad or anything like that. A not so strange calm always seemed to tip-toe a couple steps behind. I’d known for a couple months I needed a new car. I’d been pushing the poor thing to the limit. I’d been cruising to St. George’s Island, Tallahassee, Gainesville, Tampa, Miami and Timbuktu for good measure.
This sturdy 14 year old shiny red rock is as faithful a sidekick as they come. Did I expect the engine to die? Nah. Who would? I figured I’d have at least till the end of the year.
My ’94 Honda Accord felt differently. She was choking car blood and it wasn’t pretty. Now she was in the ER.
“How much?”
The question that echoes to eternity. It was there when I replaced the automatic transmission, the oil pan gasket, distributor o-ring, radiator fan & cap, timing belt, water pump, rear brake pads, muffler, variable speed sensor, tires, & headlights.
I grew tired of how much.
Ready for a new car but without the cash, a new engine’s my only bet. New car? Ha! Not with my pungent distate for debt. I hate bills. I feel like debt is the 21st century version of slavery. I look to break the shackles of captivity every damn day.
“You need a new engine. Parts, $600, Labor $475″
$1075?? Ugh…
Just a month earlier I replaced the transmission for $800. I’ve put more money into this car than what I even paid for it. It sucks. Big time.
I bite the bullet. Not wasting one more second than I have to. To the ATM we go.
My 15 min temporary truck
As I drive my mechanic’s jalopy of a work truck to the bank to get the cash for the engine, I try to keep things in perspective.
It could’ve been worse.
At least I have a car…well had a car.
At least my ride isn’t this broke, busted and disgusted truck that’s already shut off on me once.
Shoot, I can hear Malika now: “you know how many people would love to be in your position? To even be able to fix that with cash? You so damn spoiled!!!”
Well hey, 2 years ago I was dying to be spoiled.
Since learning how to build a profitable website, I’ve been able to cushion myself against hardships in life.
Have I hit my early retirement? Not yet. I’m working on it though. For now, my online business works as a financial airbag for the accidents that inevitably happen in life.
To be honest? I wish everyone had one. It’s part of the reason why MarcsBusiness.com exists.
While I’ve got my own Get out of Jail Free card, I’m working on my online business blueprint that’ll help my friends I have now as well as those I have yet to meet. I think everyone could use an extra revenue stream. Is the way I’m proposing for everyone? Probably not. Is it worth checking out? I definitely think so. After all, every man & woman is responsible for their personal bailout package.
What’s your Plan B (where B = bailout)? If you don’t have one, what’s stopping you? Drop a line in the comments. You just might help or be helped by someone you never met.
Good article Marc…
Man. That sucks. How many miles did you have on it? MIne has 196,000 in it now. I just replaced the timing belt + EVERYTHING, seals, belts, pulleys, everything I could think of in March. I am hoping to make it to 300k. Mine is a 94 as well. Luckily, I have a 5spd, so no tranny issues *cross fingers*.
Look on the cost of that engine this way… If you were making a car payment that would be about $250-350 per month + FULL insurance cost + state tax cost. Look on this as about 4 months car payments that you would have to pay if it was a new car.
I need to talk to you about the website thing. I am doing one for my photography now.
Dude how about have a series of bad event (2months)
First my gas tank started to leak
took 2 months to get a replacement
Then the same week the gas tank got fixed drove to miami and my alternator went out. fixed that and drove home. same day went to go back on the road and the car was running on 2 cylinders. new engine time got tht 2 weeks later.
since then i bee nrunning pretty good as u said i would go get a new car but tha money aint there rite now.
@ Roops
It told me the link to your website was broken. Incorrect link maybe?
On the car stuff though, I only had about 135,000 on it. With a Honda, you know you can ride those things out forever. It was just a series of unfortunate events. When it first overheated, they changed the fan and radiator cap (as well as the fuse) but it seems the damage was already done.
@ David
That’s rough. It was only 2 months ago I I spent $800-$900 on a new ‘used’ transmission. I won’t even mention the cost of all that other stuff over time. In addition to that, my 6 month insurance is due next month.
$$$
Either way, like yourself, the cash isn’t on hand for a new car. In 2010 I’ll have one for sure though
Excellent article that compliments the website. Keep the good work flowing boss.
LOL Marc, That truck that you had to borrow looks like the one I drive now! Heavy Chevys in the house! Like you said that I would say: “you know how many people would love to be in your position? To even be able to fix that with cash? You so damn spoiled!!!”
Rejoice in having the means to handle what you attract in this life. be careful what you condemn as “problems” and negative this.
Your idealistic friend for life and partner in crime,
Malika
i am hopping that with very hard work on Affiliate marketing, maybe i would be able to achieve Financial Freedom in 2 years time..-;
I have another 3 words for you….
Get… A… Ford!!!
So what happened to the engine? head gasket blew or what?