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Friday, June 7, 2013

tired?



Our poor Honda Civic.  It probably thinks I don't like it, but truth is, I LOVE it!  - as much as an anti-driving bicycle commuter can love a car anyway.

Really, though, I think that my attempts to be as car free as practical make me all the more picky when it comes to choosing gas powered vehicles.

I recently mentioned the criteria for choosing our pedophile van.  Then, of course, there is the ever adored, recently adopted Ellie Mae.







Our third and final gas snacker is the sweet little (no-named) Honda Civic.  We got her about 4 or 5 years ago when we wanted a no-frills, reliable, economical commuter car.  She fits the bill perfectly.  She's a frugal 5-speed with an absolutely hideous interior, moody radio, no A/C, and U-Crank-Em windows and mirrors.

She's quite fun to drive, sneaking in and out of tight parking spaces with ease and otherwise instantly responding to driver commands.

Recall that a couple of months ago, in a haze of blizzard induced cabin fever, I took out the driver's side mirror.  The GUILT!

Yesterday was worse.

Meego and I were coming home from the orthodontist.  We'd just witnessed a crazy person entering busy cross traffic through a red light.  What??  This SUV was stopped and then... just decided to go?  I'm guessing they were just distracted (like so many are!) and forgot they were sitting at a light?  That was STILL red?

They managed to stop-and-go get across as the green-light people stopped, all wtf.  But it was just weird.  Anyway, maybe I was replaying that in my head, or maybe I was tired from unpacking and getting restocked after our little trip, or maybe...

Well, we were about a half mile from home.  I made a tight little road-hugging right turn that the Civic does so well - too well this time.  My turn was too tight and I ended up clipping the curb with the rear passenger tire.  "Ouch", said the friendly Civic.

So there we were, a block or so further on, changing out the flat and replacing it with the spare donut.   Meego actually enjoyed it - going all NASCAR pit crew, albeith much MUCH slower.  I noted that it was a nice day out for such activities, and it was nice to be in a quiet residential area rather than a busy highway or such.  I was not, however, thrilled about getting my new Hello Kitty Stormtrooper shirt all dirtied.

So, I will finish my coffee and take little Civic to the shop now.  I'm contemplating getting her a whole new set of tires as I noticed how baldy her current ones are as I was sitting on the ground with her yesterday.

Maybe we take her for granted because she never complains.  She is just SO reliable.  I even left a sticky note on the garage door so that Magnum didn't automatically climb in and take her to work this morning.

Spa treatment day.
.

12 comments:

Anita said...

Yeah, I've done things like that when tired... or frustrated. However, you and Meego - what do they say? - made lemonade out of lemons. I would have pulled out the cell, the AAA card, and dialed!

I had a Toyota Corolla back in the day - circa 1978 thru 1980 something. I reminisced as I read about how you zipped around town so easily... until you clipped that curb.

Betty said...

Sounds like a great car! It's like my Mazda, I only drive her 2-3 times a week now but she can always be counted on. I'm glad you and Meego got to bond over tire changing, it's a good skill to have.

LL Cool Joe said...

It's against the law to drive on bald tyres here in the UK. I have a slow puncture on my jeep and every time I start up the engine the car reminds me. One day the tyre is going to be too flat to drive and I just know I'm gonna get a message on the dashboard saying "Told you so!"

Abby said...

I think the darn thing IS just so agile that I took it for granted on the turn. That and the fact that there are so few true curbs anymore these days!

Abby said...

You're so right. Despite it being a total blunder on my part, it was actually kind of fun!

Abby said...

Yikes, I'm glad my car doesn't message me!

Anonymous said...

Having ridden in your beloved Honda Civic, I read through your story with a heavy heart. I thought for sure you had been involved in a wreck because of that crazy person. So I was a little happy to hear she just had a slight injury. She'll know how loved she is once she gets a new set of wheels, and I have no doubt she'll continue making you happy with her for many more years. Gotta love those Hondas!

terri said...

Your Civic just sounds so very nice! I am in the market for a new vehicle in the next few months and just can't really find anything I really like. I would like to find a car that I'll love as much as you love your vehicles.

I'm sure the civic will appreciate the much deserved spa treatment. And I'm glad you and Meego walked away from the incident unscathed.

agg79 said...

I love the Civic story. You gotta love those trusty old, no nonsense, down to basic modes of transportation. I still miss my ole '85 Toyota Pick Up at times. Yeah, she was old and dated and leaked a little bit, but she always got up every morning without complaint and got me to work. Gas mileage wasn't too shabby for a 5 speed as well. Glad to hear her recent problems are nothing that a little new rubber and TLC won't make right.

Abby said...

Yes, her injury was slight, all things considered. Teach me to be dissing others! (but really... c'mon, that light was SO red)

Abby said...

Hold out for the car that really suits you. I really do think that cars have personalities. Maybe that's just me being weird, but I'm going with it.

Abby said...

I had a '79 toyota pickup. I remember leaving her on the trade-in lot. She looked so confused as I drove off. *sniff*