Hey car buddies!
Well the other week I was driving and my dials in my gauge cluster would go to 0, have my brake light flash at me, and have the temperature readout go to -- like the computer was trying to reset. It did it a bunch of times! Also, my turn signals did not make a noise, the only way I knew they were on was at night I saw the light or if I looked at my gauge cluster. "Ain't nobody got time for that". Oh and my radio would not turn on at all.
I was very upset. I tried turning the car off and back on, doing a trick when I had a fluke before and the dealership told me to get my key fob and hold the lock and unlock buttons until the car beeps twice. It resets the computer. (I had to do that when my tire pressure monitoring system had a fluke). So I called my mechanic and he said I had to go to the dealership. The car has two computers. One for the engine and stuff like that, and one for the electronics. The electronics one GM keeps under lock and key. So I called up the dealership, told them what was going on, and had my mom come with me because I needed a ride home. LOL. She surprised me though. She handed me her car key and said you drive my car, I want to drive this. OK, any excuse to drive the Mercedes around!
So we get there and I ask my mom how the car was. She makes a face and goes, "the car was shaking so violently and bad I thought it was going to fall apart. Literally it'd be like a go kart on the highway and it would be me holding the steering wheel in a seat with the pieces around me." FINALLY! Somebody experiences what's going on with this car! So Chevy tells us they will try and get the car in ASAP.
Turns out the next day my electronics are working again, magically! They know its a ground wire somewhere they just cant find it. They checked all the obvious places. -_- They said that they know something is wrong some place. (Obviously!). They checked the fuse boxes, normal. They also said I have a defective steering column! BTW it is NOT covered under warranty. I also need new tires. They didn't say why. They get the go a head to fix my steering column and I decide that I am done and look at used cars. This was the last straw for me. 3 or 4 recalls, broken transmission (that was covered at the time), things keep happening. Now this? No, that's bullshit! Someone I talk to says what I am expressing is typical of car ownership and GM cars. I was starting to wonder if I had made the wrong decision in the car I chose.
So I looked at a 2009 Scion TC. I liked it. It was a hatchback, panoramic sunroof, traction control, wasn't GM, no stupid rusted on antenna, rode nice, and alloy wheels. But it just didn't feel like my car. Also, my car has some good amenities. Such as: auto lights, the computer that tells me the temp outside, tire pressure, oil life, gas mileage, how much until empty, etc. Oh and remote start!
I also looked at a 2012 Chevy Cruze 2LT. I liked it. I felt bad I liked it. It had heated leather seats, auto-dimming rear view mirror, I believe alloy wheels, and remote start. It rode like my car, felt like my car, just better, and more updated. The engine still had the pep mine does. I didn't get to see if it did on the highway. But it felt peppy. It's a newer, better version. Yet it's heavier then my car, and different. Also, it has traction control! So when can I sign my Cobalt and life away? I feel awful doing it, like I am betraying my parents. But there are to many issues with my car.
So I sat and talked with the salesman and after talking with my parents I basically can't afford it. I could try but I am not at a job beyond minimum wage, and I would have NO spending money for anything.
So where do I stand now? I've had the car back a week? After an expensive time at Chevy. My steering wheel is not centered anymore. (thanks Chevy) I need 4 new tires. I apparently wear them out quickly. (I'm a fast person in general driving applies) There is still some shaking in the steering column but that's because of the way the tires are worn. I probably need my alignment fixed as well. So I have to look at tires, all seasons. Any suggestions?
I'd still like a different car. But I am picky and can't afford much. Especially when my parents won't let me get rid of the car.
I wonder what problems I will encounter with the car next? Sounds super negative I know but I am predicting something by Summer? Seems to happen every few months. I'm over it, complaining only gets me angry parents, and I cant do anything financially. So it seems I am stuck. Hopefully better things will come. Maybe my next car will be the Mercedes of my dreams...well a C300 4MATIC would do. LOL.
-PJ
