I may be blonde, but I ain't stoopid

Women be warned - don't go to a mechanic alone. Or, if you do expect the worst.

I hate to call it my beater, but my car it on the fritz. Hopefully it has more life to it yet than I give it credit for. We'll see how it survives its first winter. I thought it was high-time to bring it when I was beginning to feel like a Nascar drive (Or Formula 1 for you espanolcitos). I got a recommendation of a mechanic, and felt comfortable dropping off the vehicle.

Well, when I finally got called back in - there was a laundry list of things to be fixed. The exhaust system, timing belt, axles, brake fluid, electrical whatnots... All of it totaling more than what my car is even worth. I decided to get a second option.

The place I ended up going to made almost all my repairs - replacing necessary parts, not the whole freaking system for a forth of what the other guy said. No sweat then, right -- everything was fine. Car was fixed, money was saved.

Not so fast. Let's not forget that the day I got it replaced (axles were included in that) my car dead stopped on the busiest road in town on my way to pick Peds up from class. What to do, what to do? My car is at a dead stop, I am alone, it's dark.... eeps. At least I flicked the hazards on! Peds and the rest of the Spaniards came to my rescue, as did some strapping young men.
It was, to date, my first adult experience -- having to deal with your car breaking down in the middle of a busy road. Amen it was evening - so there was no accident or complication with other traffic. The story ends with me having the car towed back to the original place and having one to many VTs that night to forget about the pain. Have I mentioned yet that I hate cars? Because I do. I hate being dependent on a gas-guzzling, repairs needed *thing*.

Anywho -- that is the fun and glory of being a women. Having the mechanic try to pull a fast on you. Doesn't work so well with me mister - not even if you send a cute "thank you for ruining my day and confidence in my vehicle" card a couple of days after you try to rip me off.