Car Update for 2012


Just simply say that before I am driving to ALA 2012, I have to look at my car. I got a nifty little headlight I got for Christmas, and I am putting it to good use. Looking for trouble on my 2007 Chevrolet HHR 1LT.

Last month during a really "bad" snowing, I was driving to work, the closer I went south, the road conditions went there as well. I had a little skidding trying to stop halfway in Bosque Farms, NM at a light. I decided to just keep going and hoping the road would get better. Surprise, it did not! I was less than 300m (~yards) from work when a truck pulled in front of me, skidding around. I tried to avoid it, but my car skidded and I hit the curb. 2 weeks and $250 later, I got my car back.

Pretty much the next day I went to El Paso, TX to see family (12/23 ish) and there are another large snow storm coming. I had to leave pretty early just to get through the nearly impassible I-25 from Dona Ana through Valencia counties to get home. This is what my car looked like the next day, coated with ice from the freezing rain.

Now, two weeks later, I found a list of things that have to get fixed.

• The shocks in the struts need to be replaced, as they are leaking.
• The radiator needs to be replaced.
• The grease from the busted CV joint needs to cleaned out from the car.
• The exhaust system needs to be replaced.
• The 100,000 mile maintenance needs to be done.

I know that is going to cost a pretty penny, even if I do the work. It just might be more sounds for me just get a car that is not as complex as this one. Say a 2005 and newer GM truck or a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I like the people and cargo capacity of this HHR, but I am just expecting too much out of it. The economy solution is not working too well here, I have to just eat it and get another truck.

That's about it for now, just an update.