I've Got The No Go Car Blues

The day started out nicely enough.

Scratch that. The kiddos were whiny this morning, but I got them out the door and on their way to school with mom and I headed back inside for a few more hours of sleep. Minutes into Part Two of my slumber, I got a call from my wife that something was left behind and could I bring it by. Sure thing. I can always sleep later. Upon leaving the apartment, I decide to kill two birds with one stone and drop my dog off at the vet first.

Dog is dropped off, pleasant conversation exchanged with lady at reception desk, and I am on my way out the door to bring forgotten item to my wife.

Car won't start. F*#k.

It's probably the alternator. I can get a deal on a good one at DW Honda. Just shy of $200 plus towing and labor. I took a cab back home and will go in to work late today when my wife gets home.

The plan: Wait for her to get home, jump it, and limp it back to the apartment, and take her van to work tonight? Go ahead and tow it to DW now? Decision time awaits.

So, I'll be late for work today, and maybe tomorrow. My doctor's appointment is Friday at 3:00. I may have to reschedule and hope for no more headaches for a while. Better stock up on Excedrin tonight.

Also bouncing around my brain: I own two Hondas. They are otherwise good cars but with a lot of miles on them.

1. The Accord wagon that wouldn't start today.
2. A Civic that I love but haven't started since I bought the Accord. (It sits at my mom's house and I have neglected the poor thing.)
   

At this point, I really wonder if I could get a brand new scooter (Vespa maybe?) by trading both cars. I could handle some small payments especially with that famously good gas mileage. I could stand the chilly drives in this moderate Nashville winter and I rarely take the interstate anyway. My daily commute is only about six miles and the speed limit is 45 mph at the highest. My needs are not much. I just want dependability at a good price. Value.

[Edit: I just looked around the web for some typical prices. Even pre-owned seems to be a bit pricey for me. Back to fixing what I've got.]

I think I'll waste a dollar on a lottery ticket tonight...just in case.