"Why Bill Was Late Today" Topic

Apologies if some of the Hobby News stories were run late today, but I was out running some personal errands.

(Stop reading here if you don't care about my personal life.)

As I've mentioned a few times, I drive a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant. It's a wonderful vehicle, but it's 14 years old now, and it has been in four accidents:

* I was stopped in traffic on a major highway when an inattentive college student rear-ended my car. She was OK, but airbags deplayed and her car was totaled. Mine had a little rear-end damage.
* I was stopped in traffic when someone exited a gas station and ran into my car, knocking it into the minivan in front of it. Minor damage, front and rear.
* Car was parked when a school bus sideswiped it, leaving lots of yellow paint behind.
* I was in an intersection when another car failed to stop and T-boned my car. Very low speeds, just damage to doors.

The "Check Engine" light has come on, and my mechanic tells me there's a problem which can't be fixed without major expense. It also means the car cannot pass the next state inspection.

That's why I've known it was time to buy a new car.

And then I was sitting at a stoplight the other day, and the driver next to me decided to change lanes – by driving into the intersection, then reversing into the lane he wanted. So his jeep backed right into my vehicle, fast enough to crumple the hood and knock out a few lights.

My car insurance declared my car totaled – it was still driveable, but the worth of the vehicle was much less than the cost of repair – and they gave me a check.

And today, I bought a "new" car – well, new to me, a low-miles used car. The plan was that it would be ready to pick-up at 8AM this morning, but there was a hitch in the paperwork, so I spent a good part of the day at the dealership or in transit (and returning the rental vehicle).

It feels so good to have my own wheels again.

Hooray! What kind of wheels did you end up with?

Is it you or the car that attracted all the accidents?

Good to hear you found some wheels.

With a check engine light, always check to see if the state will either help pay for repairs or if you can get a waiver based on the age of the vehicle. In my sad experience, some mechanics will avoid telling you about it. Obviously, this is going to vary wildly by state.

Somehow the idea that something from the year 2000 is now old and obsolete is slightly disturbing …

Did you get a surplus HMMV?

Or a Tesla thingie?

Glad to hear you got a new vehicle.

"Somehow the idea that something from the year 2000 is now old and obsolete is slightly disturbing …"

"it's not the years, it's the milage"
IJ
YouTube link

Thats a lot of accidents; and not not your fault! Where do you live???

Anyway good to know they've never been serious and you're getting new wheels. Did you say it was a Bimmer? Nice :)

God bless you on the roads

With that kind of history, maybe should have gotten a Suburban painted glossy orange with brush bars.

Rob

Four accidents in one morning? Sounds like you need to buy a lottery ticket.

You may want to consider something like a Toyota LandCruiser. The '91 my son drives has hit numerous things (walls, other cars, light post) over the years with little damage. I hit a deer the other month at 65 mph with my wife's '98 and only put a small dent in it.

pjm

Well I've given my 2003 Mitsubishi gallant to my daughter going to college in philly. I suspect I will not see it again. Fond memories of the gallant. And have fun with the new wheels.

My first car was a 1990 Mitsubishi Mirage. I put 300,000 miles on that thing and it ran great…until I ran into a Jeep and totaled it.

My third car was a 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage. I thought to myself "If this one gets me half as far as the first, I'd be happy." When it hit 150,000 I took it to get it inspected. They couldn't pass it because the frame was rusted out.

They don't make 'em like they used to…

Get a lawyer to ride with you…..

What kind of wheels did you end up with?

a 2012 Mitsubishi Galant

Excellent!

Wow! Happy riding. :)
Drive safely…

Ditched a car only 14 years old ? Bless me, I guess
I got to shoot my 1996 Ranger….

After reading your tale of sorrow I do believe it's time you got yourself an M113 Armored Personnel Carrier. Even an errant school bus will not dent it. All the other little mishaps described would total their vehicles. Yours might get some scratches on the paint.

Maybe get a vehicle without a cloaking device? Just sayin

Clearly you need a Cadillac-Gage V150 Commando. Get the mortar carrier variant and you'll have a convertible.