Lucy turns 13 years old

Lucy turned 13 on January 26, 2013!

Lucy is still alive but not so well.  I nearly blew a head gasket (or my engine... I'm not sure if there is a difference... since the bill was going to be high) but fortunately I heeded the warnings of my car signals and pulled over. 

Today, I had to pull over right away after starting out.  I topped up with anti-freeze but upon driving just 1-2 km the light came back on and she was steaming!  I was so afraid she'd overheat but I didn't get far from home and was able to pull into an auto mechanic across the street from where I had stopped.  

There was a cool test done where they refilled the anti-freeze then sealed it and put air pressure to it to simulate 16 PSI (like driving) and all the fluid gushed out from behind the engine. One guy pulled out a hose that had eroded off this plastic piece. They were going to hoist it but thankfully the old guy was familiar with the bug (I pulled into the garage behind a white 1998 beetle!) So he recognized that it was this connector bit that had worn off. It needs replaced and is only $20-25 plus maybe 1 hour labour. It is very close to home. It could have been a lot bigger problem.

The bummer is that the part won't be ready till Tuesday.  It's Saturday and kind of needed my car today.  I also have been driving to my class on Monday's but I'm going with Lorne to his dental appointment so I guess he will just drop me off at a subway.  Ugh.

Lucy died but she will be re-born!

My husband ran her right into the ground. She came to a grinding halt on the 401 Highway just west of Pickering on June 10, 2010. Thank goodness for TD GOLD VISA - we get free towing! We have certainly got our money's worth from that perk alone. We just had her hauled to our yard since we didn't immediately have the funds to fix her.

Today, Lorne got her towed to a local shop in Pickering where he has been funding the mechanic's children's education funds. :) Just kidding - we have spent a fair amount there for car repairs and truck rentals (moving so many times!) in the past few years.

So estimates are going for about $2000. Maybe $2500. There's no way we're getting a new ($2-3000) transmission so they managed to find a used one for about $650. Then the clutch needs fixed and the driver side window.

Now, this seems like a lot of work to get done - quite extensive. But in the 10 years and 300,000 km, I have not had to replace the clutch or transmission until now. So I think this is money well spent even though my husband isn't so keen on spend a couple grand or more on a 10-year old vehicle.

It's completely paid for and will run like new once she's fixed. It beats having to get a new compact vehicle and acquire a new monthly payment and insurance!

I am so happy! Besides, having one vehicle sucks!

Lucy is 10 years old!

She is about 2K short of having 300,000 km on her and still going strong! Yes, there are still a few things she needs done but she is completely fun and functional.

New Wheels

Literally. Lorne had the front tires replaced November 2009 and the rear ones January 2010 as well as the brakes. That is after 113,000 km!! But it's working like a new vehicle now!

Lucy!

Lorne has taken the ol' girl in today for an inspection and to get estimates of the growing list of "bugs" to fix. There's an auto shop cross the street that specializes in VW. Lucy needs to pass an emissions test before getting her re-registered in December. I noted bug #15 this morning; the seam on the driver's side leather seat needs repaired.

Both vehicles need maintenance and repairs!

Ugh. The van thankfully needs more maintenance than repairs. Unfortunately the Beetle needs a lot of work. My husband is going to get a written estimate of all the items that need to be done on her.

Van: approximately 85,000 km at the 2 year mark
Bug: approximately 286,000 km at the 9+ year mark :)

This is a note to self to post photos of the things that Lucy needs fixed.

1. driver side window - electrical
2. passenger side seat belt
3. air bag light is on
4. check engine light is on
5. windshield is cracked
6. both heated seats need fixed
7. radio/electrical needs looked at
8. need new tires
9. moon roof needs fixed
10. new clutch? we'll see...

Being a 2-car family works

Lucy, my 2000 New Beetle has more than 270,000 km on her now... almost 9 years old and she'll be almost 10 before she needs another inspection. :)

The Uplander has proved very convenient and useful. It has over 51,000 km on it after 15 months. Three trips to NB this summer alone would have added about 10,000 of those. I have to renew it's registration in December before my birthday. It isn't old enough yet to require a bi-annual inspection (emissions test).