We got up this morning and Belle'scar was missing. Grandson Zach lives with us and normally goes to work during the dark-thirty hours. He drives a 2004 Toyota Camry, and we had told him that if he ever had car problems, to take Belle's car and we'd figure it out later. Which is what happened.
Zach got home from work about 10-ish and told me that he had brake problems. We went out to diagnose and found a big spot of brake fluid under the right rear tire. We got it into the shop and got it up on jack stands. Brake caliper had turned loose. Defunct.
It was originally my mother's ca. Dad bought it new for her in3004. We lost Dad in '07 and Mom drove it until 2018 when my sisters made her give up the keys. We gave it to Zach and he's driven it through his senior year of high school, and college, and he loves that car. It is a Toyota, but it is now over 2 years old.
We went to the parts house. No lock. We looked around, and found that O'Reilley's could get us one later this afternoon. So, we ordered it. We'll have it in the morning and we'll get Zach's car back on the road.
I will walk him through the process, teach him how to bleed brake, and put new pads on the rear. It's a good learning experience for the kid. PawPaw ain't gonna be around forever and he needs to learn what he can while I'm still here.
In the final analysis though, it is still a 20-year0old Toyota and he needs to think about that. We all loved our first car and we all know that it didn't last forever.
5 comments:
Not even a Toyota lasts forever.
My deepest admiration for your intentional approach to teaching Zack how to navigate the storm and tumult of reality.
Vehicles DO last much longer than they used to. A 1967 Pontiac was about used-up in 10 years. Most 2000 trucks, unless they were in an major traffic accident, are still going strong.
Religiously follow oil and coolant change intervals. Avoid stations with "bad" gas. Keep good rubber on the car (belts, hoses, tires). Find an honest mechanic for those times when things get complicated. Your ride can last a long, long time.
Considering what's out there currently. If you two can keep it running, you probably ought too.
Toyotas are known for long term durability. Dad purchased a 1997 Camry brand new off the lot and it is still being driven nearly every day as a pizza delivery vehicle by my nephew (doesn't want to put on miles on his personal vehicle). I don't know the miles on the odometer but it still works very well, only occasionally 'throwing a shoe' and having mechanical issues. His Dad (my Brother) is able to work on it himself and keep it out of the mechanic mostly. :^)
On the bright side that 20 year old Toyota can't be turned off by someone in a office anywhere in the world because they want to.
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