Well, things seem to be going along as they should. I spoke with the insurance company yesterday about my car, they are pretty darn busy this time of year and will get back to me on Monday about my claim. I did talk to "Insurance Man" about the cost of a new paint job and the depressing low value of an 18 year-old car, and he thinks most likely they will consider it the vehicle totaled. Works for me! Then I don't have to figure out how to get cigarette smoke smell out of the car, and I don't have to worry about the next mechanical failure. I suppose I am a little sad about Chuck (the car) not making it to 200,000 miles, but he's had a good life.
I find myself in the unusual position as of the end of today with 3 vehicles. I have to deal with Chuck still, I have a rental car, and I am now the proud owner of a Toyota Sienna van. Thanks to the BOM (otherwise known as the Bank of Mom, branches open all over the world) I have signed all the paperwork and have entered the adult world of car loans. I did realize since I am 33, and have never purchased a vehicle of my own, it was time to see how this works. While I would be perfectly happy to keep getting free crappy cars, not that Chuck was crappy, he was a good deal, I think 40 would be a little too old to be asking my mother to come with me to finance a car.
Of course this all started out so innocently by looking at a used car lot to see how much a used car would cost. I have some simple priorities in a car: easy to get disabled people in and out, room for a wheelchair and passengers at the same time, and an extensive security system. I added the third priority recently. I fell in love with the Sienna we rented in Boston this summer. While most things about caring for a disabled person don't get to me, taking apart a wheelchair, driving 2 blocks to the doctor's office, and reassembling the wheelchair does get to me. My pants get kinda dirty too, and I look like I've been run over by a trike.
The Sienna has enough room to put the wheelchair, fully assembled, in the back with no extra effort, and without tire tracks on the khakis. It also has enough room since all the seats come out, that at some point in time it could handle transporting a power chair. I've been pricing them online, and I know I can't afford a new one. So I went pricing used ones. I don't mind getting a car, but I mind owning another Honda. While I loved it, I didn't love the demand for items of no worth that kept getting stolen from it.
So after the 1st car place, I went to Karl Malone Toyota to see if they had any used ones. I had seen one online, but it was not the color I wanted. Well, they had 2 Sienna's with low mileage that were 2007 models. In their great salesmen-like ways they planted the panic button explaining this was the last day of the great Toyotathon sale. Mostly what I needed to know was how much would we have to put down for me to manage the payments without making Chris wheel herself out to the street with a cardboard sign to earn money. Which reminds me...I haven't seen the one-legged guy with a dog for quite awhile. I think crazy neighbor lady scared him good.
Well, the BOM was open, so we went in, and I was totally expecting great disappointment. Instead we left with my mom planning some great trip to Vegas, and Chris planning the next travel adventure of Phillip the monkey. If you haven't met Phillip yet, be grateful, and don't ask questions you don't want answers to.
The salesmen drove the Sienna and my mom to American Fork, where there is room for it, and I will finalize the details of Chuck's great sendoff into the auto beyond, and call Hertz to take back the Mazda I never want to drive in with snow again. And amazingly enough, the insurance on the new van is EXACTLY the same amount as the Honda. I'm still in shock.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Impound Hearing
Well, I went to the City Courts for my impound hearing. (In case you haven't noticed, I want to drag this out as long as possible, so I'm making it as many posts as I can to keep the agony going.)
It took about 2 minutes, and they hearing officer asked me if there was anything I wanted to say besides I was getting hit twice with my car stolen and having to pay for impound fees as well. He pretty much made my case for me, but I did add that it was Christmas, and I didn't have anywhere to take it, and I certainly wasn't putting it back in the parking garage where it was stolen. He laughed and said that the City would return $180 of my charges back to me, but I did have to pay for some of it since the cops couldn't just leave it out on the street either. I'm not sure what difference it would have made at this point, except maybe the paint job would have been finished. So I gladly accepted my refund before he changed his mind.
I did have one thought as I was driving home from the bank that made me laugh out loud. My car only has AM radio, and intermittently works from one or both speakers. I imagined how cool the person must look that stole my car driving a two-tone Honda blasting Radio Disney from one or both speakers. Serves them right. I hope it was a Hannah Montana song!
It took about 2 minutes, and they hearing officer asked me if there was anything I wanted to say besides I was getting hit twice with my car stolen and having to pay for impound fees as well. He pretty much made my case for me, but I did add that it was Christmas, and I didn't have anywhere to take it, and I certainly wasn't putting it back in the parking garage where it was stolen. He laughed and said that the City would return $180 of my charges back to me, but I did have to pay for some of it since the cops couldn't just leave it out on the street either. I'm not sure what difference it would have made at this point, except maybe the paint job would have been finished. So I gladly accepted my refund before he changed his mind.
I did have one thought as I was driving home from the bank that made me laugh out loud. My car only has AM radio, and intermittently works from one or both speakers. I imagined how cool the person must look that stole my car driving a two-tone Honda blasting Radio Disney from one or both speakers. Serves them right. I hope it was a Hannah Montana song!
THe Impound Lot
I assumed that having my car stolen on Christmas was the pinnacle of events for the holiday season. I was so wrong.
The insurance guy called me on Wednesday morning to make arrangements for my car to be towed to a shop for estimates. He asked me to call the impound lot and get my car released for the tow truck driver. I called down to the lot, and they told me I had to go PAY and fill out some forms at the police station, conveniently located a mere 3 blocks from my house and the scene of the initial crime. So I dressed myself up in my winter clothes ( it was 20 degrees outside and snowing) and wandered down to the police station. When it was my turn, the woman took my case number and looked up a few things, then calmly said to me, "That will be $227." I, horrified and shocked, said, "Are you serious? I get my car stolen on Christmas and I get to pay to get my own property back?" She said, "Yes. That's how it works.", as she passed me a paper to call for an impound hearing. I then forked over all the money I had left in the world. She gave me a form, and I went outside to have another emotional crisis. I called the tow truck driver and explained that I had no way to meet him at the lot, and could he come get me since I had the paperwork he would need to tow the car. He didn't seem happy about it, but agreed to do it. I then called the city courts to schedule an impound hearing, and made an appointment for the next day at 9 A.M.
The truck driver appeared, and we went off to the lot. At this point, I'm really feeling like I've been repeatedly screwed without any Vaseline, and I've had about enough. After a few more forms, and a few unfriendly police workers, they led us into the lot to tow the car. The nice gentleman who showed us to the car did tell me that I was lucky the didn't burn it up. He had a whole row of burned up cars that had been stolen. I wonder if he realized he was not helping.
OK, I'd like to make a disclaimer at this point. I really don't mind being Hispanic most of the time, but when Hispanic people do things that make the rest of us look stupid, I have a problem with it. I assume only a Hispanic person would steal a Honda and then spray paint it with cheap white paint on the doors, mirrors, and license plates, and then realize there wasn't enough paint to do the whole car and add a couple of racing stripes to the hood. Not only that, but a window was broken, the hubcaps painted black, and the gas tank cover painted black. Hmm. Makes me wonder how the police officer noticed something off about the vehicle.
I took a couple photos with my camera phone, and went off with the tow truck to the repair place. At the repair shop, I heard about 2000 stories about stolen Honda cars. I love how everyone has a story to share. They did call a rental car company for me, and the fellow from Hertz had quite a sense of humor. He went with me to look at my car.
Somehow, whoever stole the car had time to take everything (including the trash) from the interior of the car and stowed it in the trunk. They ripped Sir Chomps-A-Lot (the guardian shark of the Honda) and threw him on the carpet, so I was able to save him. The back seat of the car was (and still is) filled with presents in various states of unwrapping, bags with ladies clothing, and boxes of who knows what. Its nice to know the police department has such a regard for others that they leave others stolen property in my vehicle. I guess fingerprinting is out of the question at this point.
Well, I am now set up with a rental car (thanks Progressive!). At least Hertz guy had a sense of humor when I asked him if this car had an alarm system, since he had seen what happens to them without one. Don't worry, the rental car has an alarm system as well as the engine lockout.
The insurance guy called me on Wednesday morning to make arrangements for my car to be towed to a shop for estimates. He asked me to call the impound lot and get my car released for the tow truck driver. I called down to the lot, and they told me I had to go PAY and fill out some forms at the police station, conveniently located a mere 3 blocks from my house and the scene of the initial crime. So I dressed myself up in my winter clothes ( it was 20 degrees outside and snowing) and wandered down to the police station. When it was my turn, the woman took my case number and looked up a few things, then calmly said to me, "That will be $227." I, horrified and shocked, said, "Are you serious? I get my car stolen on Christmas and I get to pay to get my own property back?" She said, "Yes. That's how it works.", as she passed me a paper to call for an impound hearing. I then forked over all the money I had left in the world. She gave me a form, and I went outside to have another emotional crisis. I called the tow truck driver and explained that I had no way to meet him at the lot, and could he come get me since I had the paperwork he would need to tow the car. He didn't seem happy about it, but agreed to do it. I then called the city courts to schedule an impound hearing, and made an appointment for the next day at 9 A.M.
The truck driver appeared, and we went off to the lot. At this point, I'm really feeling like I've been repeatedly screwed without any Vaseline, and I've had about enough. After a few more forms, and a few unfriendly police workers, they led us into the lot to tow the car. The nice gentleman who showed us to the car did tell me that I was lucky the didn't burn it up. He had a whole row of burned up cars that had been stolen. I wonder if he realized he was not helping.
OK, I'd like to make a disclaimer at this point. I really don't mind being Hispanic most of the time, but when Hispanic people do things that make the rest of us look stupid, I have a problem with it. I assume only a Hispanic person would steal a Honda and then spray paint it with cheap white paint on the doors, mirrors, and license plates, and then realize there wasn't enough paint to do the whole car and add a couple of racing stripes to the hood. Not only that, but a window was broken, the hubcaps painted black, and the gas tank cover painted black. Hmm. Makes me wonder how the police officer noticed something off about the vehicle.
I took a couple photos with my camera phone, and went off with the tow truck to the repair place. At the repair shop, I heard about 2000 stories about stolen Honda cars. I love how everyone has a story to share. They did call a rental car company for me, and the fellow from Hertz had quite a sense of humor. He went with me to look at my car.
Somehow, whoever stole the car had time to take everything (including the trash) from the interior of the car and stowed it in the trunk. They ripped Sir Chomps-A-Lot (the guardian shark of the Honda) and threw him on the carpet, so I was able to save him. The back seat of the car was (and still is) filled with presents in various states of unwrapping, bags with ladies clothing, and boxes of who knows what. Its nice to know the police department has such a regard for others that they leave others stolen property in my vehicle. I guess fingerprinting is out of the question at this point.
Well, I am now set up with a rental car (thanks Progressive!). At least Hertz guy had a sense of humor when I asked him if this car had an alarm system, since he had seen what happens to them without one. Don't worry, the rental car has an alarm system as well as the engine lockout.
Goin' Out With a Bang
So I've decided to start a blog since it will be easier for all of you to keep up with the Ripley's Believe It or Not style that has become my life.
So I hope all of you had a good Christmas. I think mine will be unforgettable. I woke up, started some coffee and cinnamon rolls, and the phone rang. I was hoping it would be some member of my family or a friend calling to wish us a Merry Christmas, but instead it was an officer from the Salt Lake City Police Department. He asked me if I still had a vehicle with a certain license plate, and I said I thought so. The truth is, since my car has been broken into so many times and had the license plates stolen before, I stopped paying attention to the license plate.
He asked me if I knew where my car was, and I started assuming at this point, I didn't know where my car was, but I had a feeling he knew. So he asked me to go look and see if my car was missing, and amazingly enough it was. Suprise!
So evidently, he pulled up behind, near, drove past, (who knows) and the guy driving my car got out and ran away. I'm afraid at this point I will never believe an episode of COPS again, since he DID NOT chase after the guy! I know I've seen it on tv, but they must be exeptionally athletic cops that like to run and work on days like Christmas. This cop on the phone with me was not like the ones on tv. He asked me if there were presents in the car, or if I owned a purse with skulls and crossbones on it. Now if I owned a purse, that sounds like the right kind, but I don't.
So, he told me they had my car and I could come get it, and gave me the address. I said, let me find my keys. He said, "You won't need your keys." He said it would run until it ran out of gas, because he couldn't turn it off. I didn't really have anyone who could drive me over to get it, and it was Christmas after all, so I told him I didn't have a way to come get it. I asked him if they broke the window or how they got access to hotwire it, and he said the window's weren't broken. He offered to take it to the impound lot (Ok. Now here is where I assumed this was a nice little present and he was doing this so they could help me out since my car was stolen on Christmas.) So he told me I could come get it at my convenience. I asked him to call if there were more details about it later or if they caught the guy who took it.
I filled out a claim online with my insurance company, mostly because I didn't know if I would be covered in a theft, and I do have rental car coverage. I shed a few tears, got a little angry, and then went on with Christmas. So I called everyone I knew to shock them with the news. I was able to render my mother speechless.
I hope the rest of you had calm, uneventful holiday activities.
So I hope all of you had a good Christmas. I think mine will be unforgettable. I woke up, started some coffee and cinnamon rolls, and the phone rang. I was hoping it would be some member of my family or a friend calling to wish us a Merry Christmas, but instead it was an officer from the Salt Lake City Police Department. He asked me if I still had a vehicle with a certain license plate, and I said I thought so. The truth is, since my car has been broken into so many times and had the license plates stolen before, I stopped paying attention to the license plate.
He asked me if I knew where my car was, and I started assuming at this point, I didn't know where my car was, but I had a feeling he knew. So he asked me to go look and see if my car was missing, and amazingly enough it was. Suprise!
So evidently, he pulled up behind, near, drove past, (who knows) and the guy driving my car got out and ran away. I'm afraid at this point I will never believe an episode of COPS again, since he DID NOT chase after the guy! I know I've seen it on tv, but they must be exeptionally athletic cops that like to run and work on days like Christmas. This cop on the phone with me was not like the ones on tv. He asked me if there were presents in the car, or if I owned a purse with skulls and crossbones on it. Now if I owned a purse, that sounds like the right kind, but I don't.
So, he told me they had my car and I could come get it, and gave me the address. I said, let me find my keys. He said, "You won't need your keys." He said it would run until it ran out of gas, because he couldn't turn it off. I didn't really have anyone who could drive me over to get it, and it was Christmas after all, so I told him I didn't have a way to come get it. I asked him if they broke the window or how they got access to hotwire it, and he said the window's weren't broken. He offered to take it to the impound lot (Ok. Now here is where I assumed this was a nice little present and he was doing this so they could help me out since my car was stolen on Christmas.) So he told me I could come get it at my convenience. I asked him to call if there were more details about it later or if they caught the guy who took it.
I filled out a claim online with my insurance company, mostly because I didn't know if I would be covered in a theft, and I do have rental car coverage. I shed a few tears, got a little angry, and then went on with Christmas. So I called everyone I knew to shock them with the news. I was able to render my mother speechless.
I hope the rest of you had calm, uneventful holiday activities.
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