Redneck Roadtrip

Daddy is obsessed with his Chevy Malibu… I think he thinks its an actual; member of the family. From his weekly email:

My car is a delight to me.  It’s a 2004 Malibu, and it’s in perfect condition –for the most part. It has all the bells and whistles on a car that I’ve ever wanted.  I’ve fought off the temptation for the past two years not to trade it in on a new Malibu. Twice a year,  GM  sends me a coupon ($2,000) to apply to the purchase of a new car.  Coupons are my downfall.  However, with exceptional  grace from God,  I’ve overcome the temptation (so fare).   It’s still a very clean car with great gas mileage  (25 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the road). 

Two weeks ago,  I heard something like marbles rattling around in the engine area. Il tremio!   I immediately took  my little treasure to McClusky Chev ,  where I always take the car.   Bad move.  There I was –sitting in the waiting room, and  the woman from the service desk informed me that the front part of the catalytic converter was bad. Cost?  $1,031.  I went into cardiac arrest. I just sat there, staring at the floor. She asked me what I wanted to do, and I didn’t reply.  I was too busy staring at the floor.  (Sometimes,  floors have to be analyzed closely, or they can sneak up on a guy get the better of him.  Floors can be spooky.) 

Finally, she went away.  I moseyed over to the phone book and contacted Smiths Auto Muffler  (5^th  +  Madison, Covington, KY).   I told the fellow my problem.  When he told me that the shop would do the job for $430,  I was over there in no time flat.  In addition to that,  the “receiver” and  exhaust pipes had to be replaced.  The total job came to $575.  I never parted with my money so happily as that day. No more McClusky Chev repair shop for me. After eight  years,  we’ve parted company.  I plan to drive my little limo to MSP on June 28 for the wedding of Bob Sander’s  daughter,  Erin. (I hate long –distance driving.)