the ridiculous week I had

[Mudcat]

Basically it all happened on Wednesday.

Wednesday morning driving to work, the transmission on my '06 Impala completely blew up.

37000 km on the thing and the transmission blows up.

Warranty is expired. Repair estimates came in between 3 and 4K.

My financial situation is not good with the more-or-less failure of my business and my slow reaction to it, but I got this nice job and I am fighting to get back on even footing - then that. Come on man.

But that's not all.

The other thing was, when my car lurched to a stop in the middle of an intersection I got out and tried to push it. It would not be pushed. It was completely locked. (Yes, I had it in neutral.)

I pulled a muscle in my ribcage. I do somewhat physical work and that got worse as the week went along. I was hoping this weekend of relaxation might significantly rehabilitate it but there is no doubt it will still be quite sore for the new week. So that is a bummer for sure - and potentially much worse. If it actually keeps getting worse, I would not be able to do the job. I am not a permanent employee there so I have no sick benefits and they have no commitment to me if I can't work. They could just bring in someone else.

Funny thing was (and when I say funny, I mean not funny at all) that Wednesday started with one of my computers not working. It is the kind of problem I have seen many times before; my mind automatically thinks of it as 80 bucks. The computer has viruses and shit; it needs to be scrubbed clean by my computer guru - 80 bucks. I was like, jesus, I am trying to fight my way out of the hole and every time I turn around there is a hand in my pocket for another 80 bucks.

Within hours people are talking to me about $4000 and I am wondering if I might lose my job.



So that was my ridiculous week.

 

[Mudcat]

There is one possible ray of hope. It won't make my ribs any better but it is something. I phoned GM and politely asked if they would do something about covering my repairs on the grounds that a transmission exploding on a car with 37K is something that just really really shouldn't happen. They are currently considering it. I don't know what to expect from that. All I know is it has slowed down the repair process because I guess they have to diagnose things more carefully - meaning I have had to keep paying for a rental car over the weekend.

But hoping for the best.


For my American friends, 37K km is about 23K miles.

 

[MrMonkey]

Sorry to hear this Muddy!

What year is the car? Just saw your 2nd post! Every car here gives you at least 36K bumper to bumper I believe! Engine crap some 5/60k and 10y/100K!

Here's something the GM might look over? Did you at least change the oil regularly? Dad always told me if nothing else done to car, just change oil at least? At that mileage nothing should fail!

 

[Mudcat]

Yes I did all the regular maintenance.

Fokking car!

 

[Bread]

:down:

Sending you a hug from afar.

 

[senco78]

27K miles and the transmisson goes out... bummer, no reason the tranny should break that soon
dont hold your breathe about GM replacing it.

I bought my truck new in '07 and have drivetrain warrenty for 5 yrs or 100K. currently have 64K on it and expecting it to take a shit on me anytime
the bumper to bumper warrenty was 36K miles or 3 yrs... once I hit 37K miles all kinds of little things started to crap out...
by little things I mean: glovebox latch breaks, speakers went out etc.... nothing major but its like they know exactly when the stuff will start to break

 

[reno cool]

27K miles and the transmisson goes out... bummer, no reason the tranny should break that soon
dont hold your breathe about GM replacing it.

I bought my truck new in '07 and have drivetrain warrenty for 5 yrs or 100K. currently have 64K on it and expecting it to take a shit on me anytime
the bumper to bumper warrenty was 36K miles or 3 yrs... once I hit 37K miles all kinds of little things started to crap out...
by little things I mean: glovebox latch breaks, speakers went out etc.... nothing major but its like they know exactly when the stuff will start to break

I find little shit like that is always problem in American cars. Like they don't want to to do the simple things well.

 

[Cougar Bait]

Wow, that sucks.

I mean, all of it.

Here's to hoping things improve.

 

[FreeFall]

I remotely login into your computer and fix it for $40. That should give ya a few more lunches!

I'm thoroughly impressed you blew the tranny in 23k miles. I hope this car company takes care of you because that is rather fucked up.

 

[roguejuror]

Maybe cause lack of use?

 

[Archie]

wow, life blows sometimes

Big Al has had a rough last few days.....

I don't know how to make you feel any better...

I think a song will come out of this, that is better than "I had bad day"

maybe you should try posting more gambling picks in the best bet thread and helping others....

karma

 

[stevek173]

Damn Muddy hang in there pal

Stevies are in your corner

 

[mcbaseball10]

Sorry to hear the news. You have overcome far greater obstacles muddy leaving no doubt in my mind you will get through this as well. Perhaps you could consider trading in the vehicle on a newer vehicle and allow the dealership to absorb a lot of the cost. Lot of good deals available with little money out of pocket if you have decent credit.
Concerning the warranty, it is not the mileage rather the age of the vehicle. You have 5 years or 60k miles (whichever comes first) on GM vehicles. 5 years starts from in service date (your purchase date).

 

[Deuce]

I had a similar week the first week of August. Broke up with the gf of 3.5 years, car broke down at the tune of $1500 dollars, favorite bar I frequent closed its doors. What a mess that week was.

 

[RayRay]

get a few other quotes on a rebuilt transmission...4k sounds at least 2x too much

 

[Mudcat]

Heading to work shortly. I was hoping my ribs would be more settled after a completely lazy weekend but they are still pretty tender. I'll just have to tell the guys I work with that I am going to be a complete wimp this week and ask for help with any kind of lifting at all.

Hopefully I can fake it through the week.

 

[stevek173]

I'm sure they'll be cool with it given the circumstances bud

 

[MrMonkey]

Muddy, no way IMO seriously this repair shouldn't be done by the manufacturer free of charge! I mean if you regularly serviced the car I don't care if it's 10 years old the tranny should still be good with only 26K on it!

If you play hard ball with the dealer I believe they will take care of it! Take care of it means dealer will go back to the manufacturer and complain to them to pay the bill! Go to the highest boss (GM?) and make some noise if that's what it takes!

I know at my dealership the service manager always begs just about to get a perfect 10 on every question of how well they performed their job! Something bout the dealership gets money back from the manufacturer for great service!

This could be maybe slightly embarrassing for you but last option would be on a busy day on the dealership floor you make a scene (no profanity ever) and just act like your talking to yourself explaining the whole situation of what happened to your car for everyone there to be the judge! Maybe when the GM confronts you tell him you're a part-time writer and the local paper will love to run my story! I don't know! Whatever!

Muddy if I didn't think you were in the right I would tell you so! The only money really put out by these people is in the parts! Look at the worst that can happen! They tell you not to come back! They won't ever sell you another car! Good luck my friend!