Goodbye Ross

Last Wednesday, while driving out to Sandy for one of my night classes, my car--lovingly named Ross by me and my friends while I was attending Snow College--started smoking. Luckily, I was just getting off the interstate, and the Sandy campus was just a little ways away, so I was able to make it there without anything exploding or bursting into flame.  I parked, got out of the car and walked to the front only to find that coolant was pouring from the bottom of the engine like a waterfall.  Bad sign.

We just replaced the water pump in January because I had a coolant leak, so I called the guy that fixed it then and told him my problem.  He said it could be any number of things, some not so expensive to fix and others very expensive, but, either way, I was going to have to have Ross towed back to Salt Lake.

I called the towing company, arranged to have Ross picked up, and then went to my class.  (Phil unfortunately got the lucky job of waiting outside in his car for the tow truck to arrive.  I had called him to come straight to Sandy when the car started smoking, but it turned out there wasn't really anything for him to do). The next day, after taking a look under the hood, the car guy reported that Ross had a cracked radiator that would cost almost $400 to repair.

Ross, which is a 1996 Saturn Sedan, has almost 190,000 miles, plus some body damage from an accident I had been in and a mysterious squealing sound that we were never able to solve.  Well, after talking it over, Phil and I decided it would be best to retire Ross and save our money.  We both felt that we were probably at that tipping point where we would be spending more money to fix Ross every few months than it would be worth.  After calling around a bit getting quotes, we decided to go ahead and sell Ross for $300.  Not much, I know, but that was the price we were quoted everywhere, and its better than nothing, right?

So, now, I get to be the lucky one to use good old Public Transportation.  At least we live close to Trax and several bus stops so I can get to school and work (I could even walk if I had to).  We still have Phil's car and I don't mind taking the bus or train; its actually kind of fun and reminds me of Europe (except not nearly as efficient).  And once we move to Arizona we are hoping to live close to Thunderbird campus so Phil can either walk or ride a bike and I can use the car to go to work.  And, I tell myself, we are saving money on gas, repairs, insurance, etc, plus it will be easier in the move. 

All that said, I have to admit, I cried a little over Ross's departure.  He was my first car after all.  Kind of like a first love. Well, Ross, here's to all the good times we had together, may your new life be as happy as your old one!