As of Thursday, I’m no longer driving my FP.
In last week’s WYFP, I ranted about the many problems that I had with my 22-year-old, 159,200-mile car:
- The windshield is cracked.
- The right window won't roll up from the driver side. (I’d have to reach over to the passenger side to roll it up.)
- There's rust on the bottom.
- The front right high beam isn't working.
- The AC hasn't worked for some time.
- There's a leak in the windshield wiper fluid tank.
- The tie rods’ days were numbered.
- The left turn signal won't automatically shut off after a turn. (The right one did, but not the left.)
- There’s a leak on the manifold.
- The hood wouldn’t open without a fight.
- Every now and then, the check engine light would come on, and the reader would say, “Transmission component slipping.”
- Last week, the key started having trouble going all the way into the ignition. (That’s what inspired my rant last week.)
Many of those problems were frustrating, but they wouldn’t necessarily prevent me from driving the car. But the last one actually kept me from driving my car for a short time last weekend.
So I had to look for a new (read: used) car. With my financial situation, I needed a loan to get the car. Well, guess what? My credit union denied me an auto loan. Why? Because my income was too low!
So I tried again to get a loan through another financial institution. Thankfully (and to my surprise!), they said yes. So I got the loan, and…. drumroll please...
As of Thursday, I’m the proud owner of a 2012 Focus! I wouldn’t mention the model by name, but I’m proud to say that it was assembled by my UAW brothers and sisters at the Michigan Assembly plant in Wayne! So I continue my streak of only owning UAW- and Michigan-made vehicles. Also, my grandfather worked at Ford for 45 years, so I think he’d be happy that I’m finally driving a Ford instead of that LeSabre I’ve had all these years (LOL).
The problems I've had with my car are secondary to the problems I've had trying to put my digital media and political expertise to work.
I need a car. This week, I got one.
But you know what I’ve needed more? Work. Clients. Especially now that the school year is over and I can’t substitute teach for a couple more months.
So that’s an update on my FPs. What’s your freaking problem?
