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microbieThe week of Christmas, a warning appeared in our car that the brake pads needed to be replaced. I'm sure we replaced the brake pads once in the nine years we've had the car, but I can't remember when exactly. Anyway, considering most of the driving is urban and drivers are increasingly aggressive, it seemed worthwhile to check the brakes. Because of the holidays we had to wait 10 days for the shop to have an opening. On Monday two more warnings appeared: the battery was no longer charging, and the engine temperature was high (after about 10 or 15 minutes of normal city driving).
We needed a car for the days the shop would have ours, so we rented one. The rental outpost within walking distance only had SUVs (convenient--they also cost more to rent), so we ended up with a Ford Escape. Quite a size difference from a Mini Cooper. Obviously a few days isn't enough time to get used to an SUV, and a Ford Escape is considered on the smaller side. Still, I didn't see a lot of advantage in riding in one. We even took it to Costco, which is made for SUV owners.
I've hated SUVs for a long time. I associate their rise in popularity with auto manufacturers evading fuel efficiency standards set by the Clinton administration. They're another example of companies selling people stuff they don't need for more than they can afford, and they set off a race where everyone feels like they have to drive a tank to feel safe. There are some SUVs now that are built on compact or sedan platforms, so I guess the SUV label is just marketing?
Anyway, even with the horrible start to the new year and having to go back to a full five-day work week, it's nice to have our car back. The brake pads are fine, but the sensor was broken. The alternator (and a pulley?!) had to be repaired. Nice to have one thing fixed.
We needed a car for the days the shop would have ours, so we rented one. The rental outpost within walking distance only had SUVs (convenient--they also cost more to rent), so we ended up with a Ford Escape. Quite a size difference from a Mini Cooper. Obviously a few days isn't enough time to get used to an SUV, and a Ford Escape is considered on the smaller side. Still, I didn't see a lot of advantage in riding in one. We even took it to Costco, which is made for SUV owners.
I've hated SUVs for a long time. I associate their rise in popularity with auto manufacturers evading fuel efficiency standards set by the Clinton administration. They're another example of companies selling people stuff they don't need for more than they can afford, and they set off a race where everyone feels like they have to drive a tank to feel safe. There are some SUVs now that are built on compact or sedan platforms, so I guess the SUV label is just marketing?
Anyway, even with the horrible start to the new year and having to go back to a full five-day work week, it's nice to have our car back. The brake pads are fine, but the sensor was broken. The alternator (and a pulley?!) had to be repaired. Nice to have one thing fixed.
