Thursday, July 30, 2009

Sometimes Being a Woman Rocks

My 1st car was a 1984, Red, 2 Door, Hatchback, Standard, Honda Civic. I'm not sure if it's because I just never paid attention or that I didn't care, but I went my entire first year driving it without changing the oil. I had no idea that this was needed every 3 - 5,000 miles.

It died suddenly on the side of the road, never to be resurrected.

My 2nd car was a 1986 I was moving up in the world, Silver Blue, 4 door, Hatchback, Fully Loaded, Automatic, Dodge somethingorother - I drove it one year, changed the oil and kept gas in it.

I should have kept this car because it ran well, was incredibly comfortable and was paid for but I was a car snob I wanted something a little more... um, 20 y/o-ish...

...So, I traded it in for my 3rd car. A 1996, White, 4 Door, Tan interior, Fully Loaded, no hatchback Standard, Volkswagen Jetta - My. Absolute. Dream. of a car. I loved this car. I changed its oil, washed it, vacuumed it, and drove it into the ground in 5 years.

This leads me to my 4th car. A 2005, Silver, 4 door, Hatchback I'm starting to see a pattern, Almost fully loaded, Standard, Scion XB. Yes. That's that little milkman truck, safari car, box on wheels thingy. I'm not really sure what I was going for here other than a reasonable car payment and some security that my car wouldn't break down in the middle of nowhere as I was traveling a lot that summer. I drove it for 2 years and after a year of dating Mr. R, he convinced me I needed to trade it in while I could still get a decent trade-in price on it. And I did.

Lastly? My 5th car. A 2007, White, 2 door, Black interior, Fully Loaded, Hatchback, Automatic, Volkswagen Rabbit. I've decided I'm a serious VW girl. They are sporty, easy to drive, durable and fun cars. I take pretty good care of it... Oil is always changed at 5,000 miles {even though the kind of oil that was used says I can go 10,000}, I don't clean it as often as I'd like... but that's life.

Anyhow...

I had my first 5 oil changes done for free by VW as this was part of the deal. It would cost me $80.00 to have the dealership change it and well... I thought it would be easier if I bought the stuff and Mr. Realife did it. Not so much.

I bought the oil from Sam's Club and thought I was set. Mr. R informed me I needed an oil filter, too, so I went to Ace Hardware I'm not kidding and asked if they had one. They were incredibly polite at least to my face and said that I'd need to go to an automotive store.

Napa was across the street, so I mosied {we mosey in small towns} on over. The line was long, but I went in with my game face on now. With men everywhere, I didn't want to look like an idiot, so I stood there looking like I knew exactly what I was doing and what I was there for.

After standing in line for 20 minutes, I was summoned to the register. I folded my hands in front of me and set them on the counter and said in my most serious voice I need a Fuel Filter. He diligently looked on the computer to see if they had that part and he looked at me with a disappointed glare. I'm sorry ma'am, we don't have any in stock.

With my pride a little hurt again and a little taken aback that such a large automotive center did not have what I needed, I replied I'm really shocked you don't have such a common necessity for a car! I've waited 20 minutes really hoping you'd have this item. He apologized and after giving me another referral, I sort of pouted my way out the door.

Feeling distraught and really slightly annoyed, I walked into the new Automotive Store {name is slipping my mind}. Not. a. person. in. sight. -- The very kind looking man stood behind the counter smiling How can I help you, Ma'am? Humbled by my last two experiences, I finally let my gaurd down and just asked I need to get my oil changed and I need a Fuel Filter, do you have one of those?

He grinned and said I think what you mean, is do I have a OIL filter.

I think I died a little on the inside that day and so did my husband.

I think I'll stick to counseling.

24 comments:

Megan said...

hahaha this was too funny! You love your hatchbacks, ha!
I'm the same way, if it wasn't for my dad, my poor car would never get any attention, when it comes to maintenance. When I was 16, maybe 17, I went to change my oil for the first time..because my dad said it was time! The guy asked me what kind and I had NO idea there was more than one, ha! I just said the best...I drove a 2000 Ford Mustang..she was a beauty but definitely didn't need the best, ha! Thankfully, now that I'm away from school, my current car is under warranty, or whatever, so if it ever needs ANYTHING then I go to the dealership. I joke that my 'dad' away from home is the nice man, Mel (my service provider), over at BMW, hahaha!

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh! I learned how to change my own oil at 16!! :) Poor girl!

Lucky in Love said...

Ha! Too funny!

Good for you for going by yourself though. Those stores can be intimidating!

ELP said...

LOL!!!!!!

I think we all have our moments :)

Classy Fab Sarah said...

I'm a Volkswagen girl too!!

I got my Jetta last year and I LOOVE IT!!

Anonymous said...

LMAO. I think even I died a little at the end of that story. Hahaa. It happens to the best of us!

Lucy Marie said...

he he he! So funny. Although I'm extremely proud of you for going by yourself. My hubby has been changing the oil in both of our vehicles since we bought them and so I clearly know exactly what it is that he needs to do it, and I still don't go to the store to pick it up.

Mrs. Hanson said...

I love VW too!! I just got my first last month!!! AND I love it :) :) Oh and thank you because you just reminded me to get my first "service"..... lol

Lindsey said...

Haha too funny!

Lauren said...

Ha ha...so funny! I hate dealing with car stuff!

Kenya said...

ha ha.... well, at least you never gave up!

Unknown said...

You sound exactly like me. The things we do for our cars.

Annie said...

LOL, too funny!
we all have those sort of "blonde" moments ;)

Ally Wasmund said...

Oh my gosh! That's hilarious! Awe you poor thing...but it's crazy, I probably would have done that EXACT same thing! I'm very clueless about cars. Just ask my husband. ha ha

Thanks for the great story today!

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

aww haha! you crack me up! i say good for you for anyway=)!

Children of the 90s said...

Haha, my first two cars were a 1995 oldsmobile station wagon followed by a 1995 buick regal, both maroon. I always wanted a Jetta in high school, so I'm very jealous.

That kind of stuff happens to me all the time, I'm beyond clueless. I learned a trick though: when I go to get my car checked out I act confused (because I am) and tell them I'm really poor and can't really afford anything. They knocked $25 bucks off the price--being a clueless girl can have its benefits :)

LWLH said...

I pump gas and that's about it...Big Man takes care of the rest : )

Cole said...

I'm good about getting my oil changed, and I know how to pump gas (though I never actually have to do it - it's a MA blue law; no pumping your own gas in my city)... but that's it. In my defense, I keep an AAA membership and I've never had to use it!

Sara said...

Oh, that's funny! Thanks for sharing with us. I actually learned how to change a flat and my oil in drivers ed. (Not that I ever do either.) How crazy is that?

Cocaine Princess said...

Don't feel bad. I'm completely cluess when it comes to car lingo.

Megan said...

LOL Sounds like something I'd do. My response? "I don't know about this crap! That's what guys are for!" heehee

I always wanted a Jetta, but sadly, never got one. Now I love my big ole gas guzzler and couldn't drive a small car if I wanted.

Mommy In Pink said...

Oh No! Lol, sorry, but that is funny stuff!

Madison Sanders said...

My brother and Papa love to work on cars so they do all the oil changes at my house.

I hate to laugh, but that was funny!

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