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[semiotic_pirate]

Situation: Ready to go to work, you go down to the garage to drive there... Car doesn't start. Shite! Use CoB's car to go to work. Get (free!) tow to mechanic. Three hours or so later and here's the decision presented to you:

1. $5500 for a new engine, with labor included, call it an even $7K; no financing, 140K mileage on the original car.

2. Get a new (for me) vehicle; this means playing "where's the financing" and possibly painful negotiation process. End up with a monthly payment with no trade in, etc.

Screwed either way. At least I can store the non-working car at the mechanics for free for a couple of weeks.

Car hunting tomorrow. Wish me luck with the finding and financing of the next piratical transport device.