There goes my baby (again)

MINI 2.0 makes way for MINI 2.5

This time my MINI is headed off to Rasmussen MINI in Portland by private hauler! Steve’s friend (and boss) Ken is a race cat driver so he has a car trailer and a BIG truck. They picked up my car at Car Tender on Capitol Hill after work, stopped by here for a home-cooked meal, and hit the road at about 6:45. It’s going to be a long night for them! Thanks guys!

Last year, when the engine was destroyed in the flash flood before that massive wind storm (12/06), it went by flat bed tow truck to Car Tender on Capitol Hill. They did a fabulous job replacing the engine, and servicing my car for the last 2+ years (once I was out of my MINI warranty).

This time, it was the transmission (for no known reason, I think it’s just the luck of the draw), and the CVT 6 spd auto manual transmission is *special*. When the steel belt of the transmission lets go, it sprays metal bits all over the inside of the tranny case. My lucky day was Sunday, March 2nd. I backed out of the garage, put it in Drive, and heard and felt a little "splink" sound and the car wouldn't move. (Although the engine ran great!).

I've been a basket case ever since. Although I have to thank my husband for making all the calls, getting the quotes, and deciding the best way to handle it and making the arrangements. What a relief.

Independent shops find it too overwhelming and costly to repair. Car Tender could get a manufacturer refurbished transmission and install it for $8,200 – but our favored dealer in Portland (far superior in service and quality than the dealer in Fife, WA) could get the same part, install it for less, provide a two year warranty – and no sales tax ($6,800). We just needed to get the car down there.

Finding the money to do the work has been the trick. Our economy is squeezing us all, and we are feeling the pinch. Last month we began to focus on getting our financial house in order and cutting costs and trying to find ways to earn more income to make up for a growing gap become money coming and money going! To fix the car we’re relying on cashing out a small IRA we’ve been sitting on for 10 years (as our little emergency egg) and also borrowing money from Steve’s dad. Thanks dad! You are a lifesaver… AGAIN!

I am in a borrowed car (thanks Lisa!!) so able to work. We’re hoping to go and pick up the car in Portland and drive back on the 22nd.

My MINI has a practically new engine (only 17k miles since it was installed Jan 07), and it will have a good-as-new transmission. Looks like I am going to have a mostly new MINI! I will be hanging on to this car for a very long, long time!

Thanks for all your kind thoughts and helpful suggestions over the last couple of weeks!

You can read my post from my blog last year Random Acts of Mother Nature, MINI 1.0 makes way for MINI 2.0