chapter 2, April 7th

April: 7th

I called the Subaru Dealership in order to get a quote for the repairs, maintenance I estimated I might need for her after a winter spent under the white blanket.  I also requested an integrity check as well as emission test as required by the Ontario Gov for licensing vehicles in this province. Concerned about her general health I also requested special attention be brought to the brake pads, an overdue change of oil and battery & alternator verification for good measure. This was combined to a 20 point inspection with the brakes inspection and cleaning of the pads on the house, as part or the overall inspection.

The integrity check or rather the safety check as the Subaru representative was quick to correct me over the phone would be about 100.00$, the emission test another 49.99$ and the battery alternator test also 49.99$. Brought her in April 13^th early evening. At this point I must admit it nearly broke my heart to hear her scrape her way down the street to my local dealership. The tires where so low she felt like a wobbly partner. She sounded and screeched like a wounded and very heavy cat with troubled breathing. Kinda reminded me of how I felt when we got our sick kitten from the farm a few months back. The next day I got a full estimate from the Dealership, the 4 routers had to be replaced due to corrosion, one bearing also needed to be replaced, a seized donut shaped valve was frozen into place in the exhaust system, a support bracket for the exhaust was coming apart and the air filter was stuffed to a near chocking level. As I said, I had expected the worst thought the complete replacement of all 4 routers was a surprise. The bearing replacement I was strangely enough reassured with as I was beginning to imagine I was hearing noises no one else seemed to hear. I had also suspected something was wrong with the exhaust system or intake. What with the off key breathing she had begun making. Again no surprise where the air filter and exhaust were concerned.. As for the battery… well it was nearly dead and pretty much useless for all concerned and had to be changed. Oh well. I’ll spare you the total financial details but suffice to say I was glad my tax return came in early this year thought nothing could of prepared me for the upcoming expenditures and headaches that would soon follow in this seemingly simple enterprise.