The next "good" thing

Well, after it was all said and done, I dropped the car off this morning for the fixes and got it back this afternoon. But not without more drama to add to the ending. Somehow, with their vast resources, they couldn't locate the correct lightbulb. So I had to drive 2 blocks to pick up the correct bulb and take it back to them to install (reimbursed of course). They fixed the horns, for the most part as I still need to adjust them a little more. They did realign the headlights so that now I can see everything in front of me instead of half and the road itself. They fixed the fender liner, and they looked at the front end alignment. I was afraid of letting them do that, but made it clear that I only wanted them to see if there was anything damaged and not to try to adjust anything. An hour after I dropped the car off they called and told me that the adjustments that I had intentionally made were the only thing that was off and wanted to know if they should fix them. I said no that was all thank you very much, so I'll be adjusting with Kevin sometime in the near future to fix the pull. I go to pick up the car after work and as I'm getting closer am beginning to worry if I would make it there in time because of traffic. I call and let them know and they said they could park the car outside the gate and leave the keys in the console in case I don't make it there before close of business. I show up, check in and am told that everything is ready and I can go as the car is outside with the keys in it. Great! I go to the car, and it's locked......... Needless to say I found it very funny. Luckily though, the dealership still had some people around that were able to cut a new key and 15 minutes later I was on my way home! And as a bonus, I could see where I was going as well. =)
Till next time.

I'm not going to let it stay the way it is

Yeah, it's a bunch of little stuff, but it should have been done right before I picked it up.
There is a very distinct antifreeze smell in and around the car right now. They didn't clean it all off before letting me take it off their hands. Not a problem, but more of a pride in your work thing. Why would you let someone take a car, that just had a broken radiator, out with antifreeze still on the engine? Especially when I got 2 miles down the road and noticed smoke starting to rise from the hood! Inital reaction was I freaked! Then I figured they just left the excess liquid, and I was right.
The alignment is definitely off, the more I think about it, the more I feel I should take it back. If it's something more than just a minor adjustment, I'm not going to be the one to try and make that point. If they monkey with the other settings, then Kevin and I can fix it!

Here's what else is wrong:


Ok. So the fender liner is a little off. No big, but everything add's up to one big pain. And it all started with "Oh your horns are in the wrong spot? Oh well!"
Fix it.


One nice shiny headlight and one not so shiny! Not their fault, just that's what happens with new versus old. Looks like I'll be buying a new headlight soon.


Now this is wrong! Sure the one is new, but it shouldn't be that dull! Oh, I know what's wrong! They used the wrong brand headlight!! Even after I told them that the original was undamaged and if they found that it needed to be replaced that they need to use Silverstars!!
Fix it.


All right. Now I know it's a liitle hard to tell from this, but I was trying to get from the center of the car and the camera tilted. Well anyway, it's on level ground and the front of the car if 5 feet from the garage door. Those lights aren't aligned as there is a 2" difference from the top of one to the top of the other. Also, it's very obvious that the bulb they replaced is not nearly as bright as the one they took out.
Fix it.

I'll be making a phone call tomorrow.

Day 9 at the shop

The car is back!!

I've got the call right around noon, and couldn't go anywhere. Had to wait till almost three to go pick it up. Interesting dilemma though. What's wrong with this picture?

I'll give you a hint, What goes beep beep and is very visible?

My horns! That was the first thing I saw when I picked it up. They are in the wrong spot. I mentioned that to the man who gave me my car back and he said "Oh really?" and gave me the keys anyway!! Guess that means that I get to find out what else is wrong and take it back to have it all fixed at once. Like, the fender liner that is partially on, and the possibility that they put the wrong type of headlight in!! Plus my alignment's off, but I don't think I want them to fix that as they'll probably try to fix other things that don't need to be fixed. I'll have to take a look at that this weekend.

Day 8 at the shop

No pics, even though there should be one. They are all done with the exception of the fan that hasn't made it in yet. It should be done on Monday, but worst case now is Tuesday. Hopefully it will be ready by Saturday since that's when I need it back!

Day 7 at the shop

Well, either they did a lot of work this morning, or work was done yesterday and they just didn't take any pictures. Anyway, it's being worked on and it looks really sad now. Also, I noticed all that they had to take away just to be able to do the work. I hope my horns make it back on the car!

Day 5 and 6 at the shop

No work done, apparently still waiting on parts, or are they?

Day 4 at the shop

Well, another day and no pics. I'm guessing that they only take a picture if something has been done to the car. Then again, maybe they only tease you with some images to make you think that's what they're doing then they show you the end result without everything inbetween. I may actually stop in tomorrow to see if there is anything new to report or if they are just waiting for something to happen.

Day 3 at the shop

Well, I don't know if anything happened today or not. Their site wasn't updated, so I didn't get a new picture. This is the end of the third day. =/

Day 2 at the shop

So it looks like there was a little setback in getting anything done today. I guess it figures that when the car is out of commision is when the snow and ice hits. Besides, I think they are still waiting on parts anyway.

Day 1 at the shop

So they started to look at the car, got me the estimate, and are "beginning" the work. Was able to get a pic of the car and got it an interesting way. I was going to actually go there and snap some photos, but was told that they have an online tool that takes pictures for me to show me the progress which means that I don't have to call them up everyday and bug them about what's going on with my car! Very ingenious idea!

Looks kinda sad missing that headlight. =(

So here's the good

I guess I can't have a good and bad blog if all it has in it is bad, so here's the good.

The car is getting fixed! Total damage worth is ~$3200. They claim that's it, but who knows what they'll find when they actually start to dig into it. It may be more or it may be just that. It's scheduled to be back in my possession around the 26th, so that's some good news also. Tonight I have to decide on whether or not I want to spend an extra $2k to get the entire car repainted or let it go with what they are going to do. The other dilemma is going to be whether or not I trade the car in when I get it back or if I continue to drive it till further notice. Decisions, decisions.

The reason for the car

Guess maybe I should have explained a little to those who hadn't actually heard the news. The quick blog setup and posting was mostly to get the pictures out in circulation. Now maybe I should explain to those that don't know. I live in "God's Country" Clayton, NC. This just so happens to be one of the most bountiful areas filled with deer as well. As you've probably concluded, I met one of those deer up close and personal at about 45-50. It was early in the morning and it was out for a leisurely stroll completely ignoring the two cars coming at it from the opposite way till one slams on it's brakes at which point it jumps out right in front of me and I hit it. Next thing I know, the deer is in the air and completely vanishes. I never did see it again. Since it was dark, the damage didn't look that bad (which I thought was all cosmetic), even though I knew that I was not going to like the outcome. It wasn't till I almost made it to work (some 20 miles later) when smoke started to pour out of the hood. That's when I realized that the radiator hadn't survived the impact. I limp to the office and get out and see the carnage that you see below. Now I've got a Grand Prix (boring) while the dealership and body shop hash out some numbers for the insurance company to decide whether or not to fix or destroy. Hopefully news will come tomorrow.

I was told that noone could see these before. So I've decided to start this so the progress can be watched. Yipee!

First of many to come

As it says, just started it and will be adding the good and the bad in my life!