Lately everything seems to be going wrong. I'm waiting for a jet engine to fall out of the sky and land in my bed (if you saw the movie, you understand)  If I add up all the dental work I'm told I need just to eat normally or the car repairs to drive safely, I'm looking at over $10,000. 

Today I decided to finally get front brakes since the dealer has been telling me for over a year that I need them. I used to use a local mechanic all the time before I bought my 2001 Hyundai, so I went to him at 8:30am for an oil change and said to do the brake work required. More charges on my Visa! Last year he told me my brakes were fine after 3 different places told me they were bad - Midas, Meineke and the Hyundai service advisor. He quoted me approximately $150 which would include machining the rotors.

After the oil change, he showed me my brake pads and said they still had about 20% left and I didn't need to spend the money now. John, the shop owner, asked if my car is still under warranty and told me to see if Hyundai would replace the axle first. I was just at the dealership a few weeks ago for a battery and an alternator (another long story...turned out it wasn't the battery since the car died 2 days later, but it was too late and I was out $140)  They never told me I needed the front axle, but they did say my brake pads were dangerously thin. To me this means they never really took the wheels off and checked the brake pads. I have 2 days left on my warranty. So find an honest mechanic and have your car checked thoroughly if you have a warranty before it expires. 

Many people love their Hyundai Sonatas. Maybe I got a lemon. My power windows have all needed new cables. Twice I had to drive in the rain with my windows stuck down. My power doors have all needed new (actuators?) but at least I could get in with the key. The back doors had to be opened by reaching from the front. The clearcoat has completely peeled off my bumper and the doors. The window tint bubbled and peeled off. The radio speakers are shot and I never turn up the volume. The car looks like an old piece of junk. I was told I need a timing belt that costs $499 and a tune up. I don't know if I should believe anyone at the dealership any more. I hope they fix the axle. I know the first thing I'm buying when I finally hit my numbers.

Anyway, thank goodness for honest people. I know I'm giving John all of my future business. I shop around for a "deal" but maybe that's not the most important thing after you find someone you can trust.