An Irritating Car · Friday March 19, 2010 by Julie
When we got our Ford Windstar in the late 1990’s, we were looking for something that would comfortably contain our three menfolk, imposing guys with stature. What we did not know was that the car would suck down gasoline, believe that a $400 repair for a malfunctioning door lock was just fine, and rattle promiscuously.
Today, I drove it from Seattle to Portland. At low speeds, it jingled, bounced, and squeaked. Well, I’m used to that. The ABS brake light was on. It’s been on for some years. Two mechanics looked at it, at great expense, and concluded that “it’s just the sensor.” So fine. Oh, and the Check Engine light was on, too. David just went to the mainland yesterday and said nothing about the light. Did it wait for me to go on? Or did David think such a teeny thing wasn’t worth mentioning? After all, it’s a very small light, which could fit under a quarter if you taped it on to the dashboard display in just the right spot. I juddered and rattlled down I5, wondering if I should cruise around the Greater Northwest, looking for a reliable mechanic. Or proceed to Portland, where my sisters have pointed me to a good one?
Portland. The front brakes were bad. An engine hose had collapsed. The tires were bald, and also the wrong size for the car. Now, just over $1,000 later, there is still a rattle and jingle in the front wheels and the heater makes terrible noises, but the warning lights have gone off and the judder is gone. I’m grateful to the mechanic and looking for a better car.
