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The Auto Shop And The Smelly Car

August 26th, 2009 Leave a comment Go to comments

So there I was, minding my own business, tearing around the local industrial park in my S2000 yesterday afternoon, running over squirrels, cutting elderly people off, and parking in every handicap spot I could find when my clutch pedal starting feeling a little spongy.  I had to push the pedal almost to the floorboards to change gears.  Today during lunch I could barely get my car into reverse.  I could tell in my heart of hearts that this did not bode well for me or my wallet.

Jamming out of work a bit early, I dropped my car off at the mechanic and picked up a rental.  Then, the waiting game for “the call” began.  Luckily I didn’t have to wait long to get the bad news.  Turns out my master cylinders are shot.  Leaking.  Dying the slow death.  ”Oh, and by the way,” the mechanic said in a whispery, purring tone, “your rear brakes need replacing.”

And so, to make a long story stuffy, that’s how I spent $800 in the course of an hour.

Oh, and the rental car I managed to pick up from Hertz is a Nissan Rogue.

I felt lucky to get this rental.  It was the end of the day and this was the last vehicle left.  Throwing my computer bag on the passenger seat I buckled in and was immediately overcome with the smell of cigarette smoke.  Looking around the car at that first stop light I could see that this car was covered in ash.

Way to keep your cars clean, Hertz.

Pulling into the garage I took a second to reprogram all of the spanish channels to something a bit more appropriate, cut the engine, and resigned myself to the fact that tomorrow I’ll be $800 poorer and smelling like a cigarette.

I miss my car so much…

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  1. A closer look reveals the human race
    A closer look reveals the human race
    August 26th, 2009 at 23:23 | #1

    I have had the same experiences with other companies. How much do people who work at car rental desks make? That may explain the care. I have also gotten some rentals that had been mercilessly worn out by customers. I rented a Buick LeSabre in D.C. that had a suspension and steering so beat up, I could not keep it in a lane. It was one of those late flight last on the lot specials. People being people, they treat them like garbage cans. Good luck getting your vehicle back!

  2. August 27th, 2009 at 17:57 | #2

    Thanks, brother. I finally got my car back and I couldn’t be happier. I’m back to running over puppies and doing doughnuts on my neighbor’s lawn.

    I’m at a loss to explain why some people just don’t give a flip about taking care of things, especially if they don’t belong to you. Is it a sense of entitlement, or just plain self centered behavior? People are no good.

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