Warranty
My car died a few days ago. One side of me really hated the end…the other side relished the idea of a new “gadget.” The side hating the end loved the way the car rode, the relative economy, and the up-until-now, reliability. It’s obituary: Born in 2008 and adopted in 2010 by my family, a Toyota Highlander Limited Hybrid with three rows of seats, an as needed car top carrier, comfortably carrying seven people (two adults, three kids with friends: dancers, hikers, baseball players, college seekers, etc). Tens of thousands of miles, hundreds of baseball games, so many dance runs, art runs, sleepovers, photo trips, adventures, vacations…
Each year I religiously took the car in for an annual checkup, spending the money on expensive stuff like timing belts, joint replacements, coolant hose repair, headlights, sensors, etc. Each year I was glad to hear it was healthy (after necessary repairs) and easily passed inspection. But then (dramatic music), a year ago the check engine light came on followed by what in my pilot days I would have called an astounding display of most of the warning lights. Then a tow truck. Then diagnosis and repair. Then a thousand dollars. And finally, back on the road with a smile on my face.
The car is, after all, sixteen plus years old and a comfortable, sturdy ride. But two weeks ago, without warning, the “Check Engine” came back on. Oh no, I thought! I’ve been good to it! Changing the oil, new brakes, new this, new that, I exercise it often…what the hell!! I wouldn’t mind a new car but at my age I’m not sure it’s worth the expense. So, I called the service department at the dealership I’ve been taking the car to since we moved here, the one where I’ve spent some thousands of dollars.
“The earliest appointment we have is in ten days,” was the response I received when I told them my issue. Ten days.
“That’s a long time without a car,” I told her.
“Ten days. Do you want to make the appointment?” she responded.
So much for Toyota loyalty. Maybe now was the time to stop driving. But my wife certainly isn’t going to ferry me around. And she has her own schedule of places to go. My dilemma was the one we all go through, do I spend another large sum of money on a car that is reaching the end of its life expectancy?! Some people run their cars for 20, 30, or more years and hundreds of thousands of miles. Good for them. Good for their cars. But for me, I’m pretty sure the big battery in my hybrid was giving up the ghost and replacement was $2,500+ not including labor. And even if I did replace the big battery, who knew what was next. Sigh. A familiar internal debate. As much as I love new gadgets, I really loved my old Hybrid Highlander…the perfect ride for me. Think, think, think.
"No,” I told her. The internal debate was over, I traded it in. I’m sure it will be taken to a farm somewhere to join other SUVs helping out and enjoying life out in the wild. I wonder why warranties don’t extend to 10, even 20 years. Perhaps because car manufacturers can’t “warrant” how drivers will use or abuse the machines. Squeaky parts, stiff ride, failing functions, crummy fuel, sticky oil, unexpected starts & stops…all part of the aging game.
We have a new car. With a five year warranty. But, then what. Oh.