My car is fixed, my car is fixed.......

{said in a sing-song voice as I do the happy dance} The saga of my car has finally come to an end and I couldn't be happier.

It began months ago with a funny noise under the dash, a hissing if you will. I took it to my local Ford dealership because I really am of the opinion that no one knows your car better than the manufacturer, and up until this point I've had very positive experiences with them. This time was different. I was told that I needed basically an entire new brake system; master cylinder, booster, rear cylinders, pads; to a tune of $1500. Plus, my engine was running a little rough and I needed a tune up for $1100. That's what caught my attention. I might have bought the brake system thing, but a tune up for $1100?!?!?!?! I told them never mind, I'd think about it and picked up the car. Which cost me $400 to tell me I needed $2600 worth of work. Huh!?!??!

Shortly after this I developed a leak in my engine. I took it to my local Midas shop and they were great, fixed the leak and it only cost me $100. I was thrilled. A couple of weeks later I took it back there for a brake inspection. I didn't tell them what Ford had said just asked them to inspect my brakes. Low and behold, nothing was wrong with my brakes. Hmmm.... I don't need new cylinders and pads and everything??? Midas does not do tune up but they recommended a mechanic around the corner. I finally got in to see him today.

I told him I needed a tune-up and he quoted me a price of $250. Huh?!?!?!?! When I dropped it off this morning I made him listen to the hissing noise. He listened and immediately told me what was wrong, I had an air leak in my brake booster. He said he'd check it out and let me know for sure. He also told me I might need a timing chain. When he called me, like 1/2 an hour later, he told me I didn't need a timing chain (yeah) and he could do everything for $700. What?!?!?! I believe, if I'm doing the math right, that's $1900 less then Ford wanted to charge me.

I picked my car up this afternoon and it runs like a top. The hissing noise is gone and it feels like new again. Too bad you can't get term insurance for auto repairs. You have no idea how much I love my car and it's nice to be happy with it again. So I'm doing the happy dance and smiling at my car :)