You know that scene in Return of the Jedi where Vader shoots at Skywalker and hits R2-D2? I've finally lost Car2-D2. This last weekend, after 130,000+ miles of faithful service, the head finally cracked and oil started pushing into the radiator. I noticed because Sunday morning there was a pool on the ground under my car that looked like a melted Frosty. Car2 has at best 30 days before the hoses all fail and the engine dies.
We looked online to assess prospects. Diagnosis is that it's a cracked head and not just a head gasket since many Saturn SL1s from 1991-1997 fail because of this engine design flaw. To buy a new long block will cost me about $1500 and require several days of work with my dad and the right tools to put Car2-D2 back on the road. Everything else has been replaced, so I am inclined to continue to drive the car, because, where else can you get basically a brand new car for $1500? I do need a new driver's seat...
When you consider the facts, Car2's performance has been nothing less than a standing miracle. I took possession of the car in 2002 when it had just over 80,000 miles. It was on a salvage title, having been written off as a total loss. I expected the car to fail because of damage to the engine because of that accident. That and it burns oil or maybe just leaked it through the head, such that when I chagne the oil if I have 2 quarts I consider myself lucky. At that rate, I expected the engine to throw a rod. Instead, I drove an average 16000 miles per year.
I expected the car to die around 220,000 miles. As of this morning, I have driven the car to 210,057 miles.
My dad has gone back and forth on the car. Even as he encourages me to replace it, he does research into what it will take to get it roadworthy again. I have decided to keep it as a backup and commuter vehicle for around town and to go to work. I will work on it with my dad over the summer as time and tools allow and put this faithful car back on the road hopefully for many more years. If things continue, I could drive this car for another seven years.
We looked online to assess prospects. Diagnosis is that it's a cracked head and not just a head gasket since many Saturn SL1s from 1991-1997 fail because of this engine design flaw. To buy a new long block will cost me about $1500 and require several days of work with my dad and the right tools to put Car2-D2 back on the road. Everything else has been replaced, so I am inclined to continue to drive the car, because, where else can you get basically a brand new car for $1500? I do need a new driver's seat...
When you consider the facts, Car2's performance has been nothing less than a standing miracle. I took possession of the car in 2002 when it had just over 80,000 miles. It was on a salvage title, having been written off as a total loss. I expected the car to fail because of damage to the engine because of that accident. That and it burns oil or maybe just leaked it through the head, such that when I chagne the oil if I have 2 quarts I consider myself lucky. At that rate, I expected the engine to throw a rod. Instead, I drove an average 16000 miles per year.
I expected the car to die around 220,000 miles. As of this morning, I have driven the car to 210,057 miles.
My dad has gone back and forth on the car. Even as he encourages me to replace it, he does research into what it will take to get it roadworthy again. I have decided to keep it as a backup and commuter vehicle for around town and to go to work. I will work on it with my dad over the summer as time and tools allow and put this faithful car back on the road hopefully for many more years. If things continue, I could drive this car for another seven years.
This little Car2 unit and I have been through a lot together. Maybe one day I'll even repaint him. For now, he is a testament to General Motors engineering and the grace of God and one of the most tangible reminders I have of the singular interpolation of Providence on my behalf. He has saved me untold amounts of time and money I would have otherwise wasted and given me a wealth of experience and exposure as we drove thousands of miles across Nevada and beyond in search of adventure and memories. I will dedicate my book in part to this car and the nameless engineers and workers at GM whose hands were blessed to bless my life to infinity and beyond.
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