My Saturn's getting old

[javasaurus]

A little here, a little there, the Saturn never needs enough repairs to call it quits. Well, it just failed its emissions test. In thirteen years, it's always passed. Even now, it only failed the hydrocarbons, suggesting that it's simply not burning all its fuel (that's what the failure report said, anyway). That could mean it needs a tune-up, which is cheap, or a new catalytic converter, which is not cheap.

What's really irritating is that it just had a tune-up (my Mr. Tire adventures back in April, grrrrrr....), which only confirms in my head that the Mr. Tire in Annapolis couldn't find their lugnuts with a socket wrench.

However, we found a local mechanic, mostly by accident, that seems OK. This will be a good test case for him.

Comments

[culfinriel.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a pretty sturdy little car, really.

Now I'm getting nostalgic

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

I really like my little Saturn. Thirteen years old, it's got its problems, certainly. The odometer stopped more than a year ago at 204k, so I have to estimate the total miles based on gas purchases (a bit over 230k now). Last time I measured the mileage it was still getting about 33 mpg. The radio and cassette player and AC still work well (need to replace a speaker, though). The plastic molding around the doors is falling apart. It's still relatively safe (I wonder if the airbags still work -- but I really don't want to find out). Plastic body doesn't rust or dent (though it can crack). I've been hit a few times, and the body just pops back into shape.

Saturn started as a completely independent branch of GM, developed their easy-to-maintain, safe, cheap, efficient car for all people. Then GM decided to reincorporate Saturn into the parent company again, and their cars have gotten lesser ratings ever since. For what they cost now, and with their current reputation, I'd rather spend a little more and get a Honda Civic or maybe a Toyota. But when I got mine, Saturn knew how to make a car.

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

argh. I just checked my records, and back in April with the whole Mr. Tire nonsense, I also took the car to a Saturn dealer that I trust (they're too expensive, generally, though). The dealer indicated that the cat was in fact shot (no thanks to shroedinger), so at least now I know what I'm looking at.

groan.