Frickin' Update
Took the Frickin' Van (part deux) to the shop today for some overdue maintenance.
I had an oil change done -- that alone I'd got about 2,000 miles past the recommended service interval, but it's been a tough couple of months, so I needed to postpone it. I also knew when I got in there that I should replace the front tires and get it inspected -- it was due at the end of July.
Of course, they always find something. This time it was the front brake pads that needed replacement -- no surprise, as I had been told they were down to about 30 percent in the spring. Still, it was a $400 service after all was said and done -- then another $29 to have the car inspected at another service center up the road, who I trust to do the inspection, but not to service the car.
Outside of the oil change, which I'd just procrastinated on, frankly, it was the classic domino theory at work -- I suspected the brakes needed work, I knew the inspection had to be done, and I knew that the van wouldn't pass inspection without a fresh pair of front tires, as they were pretty bald. So I knew the $29 inspection was going to be more like $149 after all was said and done, factoring the cost of the tires.
Anyway, with all this done, the van should be good for the long trek to my aunt's in Framingham tomorrow, which it looks like I'll have to do solo with the kids, as Bonnie is ill.
Happy Thanksgiving!