It’s been 4.5 years since I had to make a car payment. And over Christmas I almost got new brakes and shocks while I was in Dallas because my parents have an awesome cheap mechanic. But I checked my finances and decided that, no, this was not in my financial best interest.
So I didn’t but I decided it was The Year of the Civic. I needed new brakes, new shocks and I hadn’t waxed her by hand in . . . at least 3 years? And she’s never been detailed and with this dog there’s fur in places I can’t reach. Plus there’s this bit about the radio. I still haven’t replaced it. I got the insurance check and then shrugged. I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to get a new radio put in. I don’t really even think about it anymore. Which is a drastic change from 2008 when the missing radio was enough to drive me mad.
We’ve even taken 4 minor road trips since the radio was stolen and it’s no big deal. We just talk. Or sleep. Or listen to headphones.
Anyway, my car might be due for new tires or at the very least is overdue for a tire rotation. So with all of that, I knew it was the year to show my Civic some love. (Plus, she turns 10 this year!)
Dave took her to work last week because we were supposed to have the coldest weather ever and he doesn’t need to be biking in 20-degree weather. And he asked a mechanic about my brakes. Even though I’ve only gotten them replaced ONCE in her lifetime (and that was front-only) apparently my brakes are fine, I just needed brake fluid. On the way to pick me up, my radiator cap broke and we had to make an emergency trip to Auto Zone (btw, think there’s a relationship between the median income of a neighborhood and its proximity to an Auto Zone? Just asking.). $12 later, with a new radiator cap and some fresh brake fluid, the Civic was much happier.
So it looks like the universe thinks it’s the Year of the Civic, too.
“…think there’s a relationship between the median income of a neighborhood and its proximity to an Auto Zone? Just asking.”
I am here to tell you: yes, there is. I used to work with an account director who came to us from, um, Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts, I can’t remember which. And they definitely have a strategy of placing their stores in low income neighborhoods, preferably with large minority populations. Because apparently rich white people don’t change their own wiper blades or add power steering fluid on a weekly basis. Which I guess makes me a Poor?