Otie Needs a New Pair Of Shoes....
Alright, He needs a whole lot more than just brakes, but we'll start with that. Since I totaled the Matrix in December, Otie has had to step out of retirement. I decided to use the settlement money to bring him back up to everyday driving safety levels and get the repairs that I had been putting off done. Now since I don't really feel comfortable with the car guys I had been using in Alpharetta anymore... I was having to find someone I trust... and hopefully closer to home. Lyon suggested The Elite Automotive Service & Repair Garage in Flowery Branch... I had used them a couple of times for very benign small things (flat tires) and they seemed pretty nice. Well, what I decided to do was... do one thing at a time and see how they handled each service to hopefully build up some kind of trust and rapport with them. I decided on the most urgent of the repair would be the Hub Assemblies and asked them to replace the pair (or all) that needed it. Dropped off the car and headed home.
Within the next hour I hear back - The Hubs are fine, but your front left brake is metal to metal - you need a new rotor and new brakes. Are you kidding me? I knew I was going to need new brakes, so Yeah do it! And the Hubs ... cool. Saved some bucks and time! Then he tells me I need a new Rear end. But not right now. Well, I probably won't have the money later... so that sounds like the next big fix. He says it will be around $700. That's do-able especially if it makes the car safer. A lot of the list below is purely aesthetic and not very imperative. But I put them on there so I wouldn't forget them. The stereo I ordered is actually important. I wanted to move towards hands - free (bluetooth-Ipod) for safety reasons. Also I really believe Georgia is moving towards that soon and I wanted to do it on my terms not because it was the Law. That's how I dealt with seat belts and by the time it was Law... I had already been compliant for a couple of years. Also I don't want to do the redneck thing anymore... It should be here on the 17th and I'll get it installed this weekend. I also plan to clean off the dash and minimize all the hookups and things I look at. It's pretty junky and distracting. I ordered an extension flush mount plug so that it will look more factory. I have other ideas for a docking station and I will work on that as well. It's about streamlining, comfort and safety. Oh yeah... The Cool Factor. I'm all about the Cool Factor.
Within the next hour I hear back - The Hubs are fine, but your front left brake is metal to metal - you need a new rotor and new brakes. Are you kidding me? I knew I was going to need new brakes, so Yeah do it! And the Hubs ... cool. Saved some bucks and time! Then he tells me I need a new Rear end. But not right now. Well, I probably won't have the money later... so that sounds like the next big fix. He says it will be around $700. That's do-able especially if it makes the car safer. A lot of the list below is purely aesthetic and not very imperative. But I put them on there so I wouldn't forget them. The stereo I ordered is actually important. I wanted to move towards hands - free (bluetooth-Ipod) for safety reasons. Also I really believe Georgia is moving towards that soon and I wanted to do it on my terms not because it was the Law. That's how I dealt with seat belts and by the time it was Law... I had already been compliant for a couple of years. Also I don't want to do the redneck thing anymore... It should be here on the 17th and I'll get it installed this weekend. I also plan to clean off the dash and minimize all the hookups and things I look at. It's pretty junky and distracting. I ordered an extension flush mount plug so that it will look more factory. I have other ideas for a docking station and I will work on that as well. It's about streamlining, comfort and safety. Oh yeah... The Cool Factor. I'm all about the Cool Factor.
- HYDRAULIC HATCH SHOCKS : COMPLETED 2009
- WIPERS : COMPLETED 2009
- HUB ASSEMBLIES NOT NEEDED YET
- FRONT GRILL CLEAN-UP : COMPLETED 2009
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT LIGHT REPLACED BULB - 2011
- BLUETOOTH - NEW STEREO ORDERED WILL HANDLE THIS 1-15-13
- IPOD ADAPTER - NEW STEREO ORDERED WILL HANDLE THIS 1-15-13
- BRAKES - FRONT COMPLETED 1-15-13
- CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REPLACED #10 FUSE - 1-15-13
- NEW REAR END
- REAR MAIN SEAL - REPLACED
- DIFFERENTIAL LEAK
- A/C CLUTCH - BEARING ARE BAD - NEW COMPRESSOR PROBABLY
- BRIGHTER HEADLIGHTS - REPLACE WITH HALOGENS
- ARM REST - NEEDS REPAIR
- BULBS BEHIND DASH
- UNDER CARRIAGE SHIELD
- BRAKES - BACK
- SPARE TIRE - CHECK UP
- MOVE SPARE TO SAFARI RACK
- CLEAN UP EMERGENCY KIT
- CLEAN ENGINE
- GAS TANK SENSOR
- TRANSMISSION COOLER
- MAIN SEAL
- SHOCKS
- LEAF SPRINGS
- FOG LIGHTS - NEEDS REPAIRED
- TOUCH UP PAINT
- FRONT PLATE HOLDER
- HEADLINER IS STARTING TO SAG
- HOLES IN LEATHER SEATS