Crazy Car Story

I have a "regular" job. Well not so regular - but it pays the bills. I work for Welcome Wagon, and I visit new people to the community and those who had new babies (I LOVE my job).

On the 19th, I was on my way to a visit, and in the middle of a very busy intersection, this huge crack sound comes, and the next thing I know......the front of my car is on the ground!!! There was no warning!

I am not exaggerating. Tire sideways, front bumper on the ground. This car got safety inspected less than 3 months ago, so we weren't expecting anything so drastic to happen. Thank goodness it didn't happen when we were on our road trip to Ontario!

Turns out - it probably shouldn't of passed safety - as the entire front of the driver's side of the K-frame of the car disintegrated. Right there in the middle of the road. Which caused the axle to pop out and the entire front suspension to give out.

Anyhow, I call the police first (so they can direct traffic around my car), then the tow truck - who says it will take 45(!!) minutes for them to get a truck there. Then I call my husband to come and get me with his company car. I then call the people I was on my way to visit and say:

"Hi! It's Amanda from WW. I'm just having a little technical difficulties with my car, but I can be there shortly. How is 6:30?" Calm as could be (I was panicking on the inside)

I don't know how I held it together, people were hollering at me to get the car off the road, some people were trying to stop and help. I was so thankful when the police came and they called another towing company that could be there in 20 minutes.

Anyhow, to shorten this novel, I managed to get my visit in, and we got our family home. I then cried for like an hour as all the stress got to me. We had no car for 5 days, live outside of town and have no public transportation system. I was essentially without an income for a week, because I had no way to do my visits.

The car would of cost over $1500 in just parts, not including labour, and that is no guarantee something else would go wrong (It was a 1999 Cavalier).

So, now, I am the proud new owner of a 2007 Mazda 5 Mini Van!

Which is also why I haven't been online much. I've been bumming rides, car shopping and as soon as I got the keys in my hand we haven't been home, catching up on errands,  visits, swimming lessons. And I even managed to get some Face Painting Practice in.

I know I'm still new around here, but I have to say I missed the forum and it's good to be back!!

Scary...glad you are OK!

I am so glad you are fine! Wow! My daughter just got t-boned in a cavalier a few months ago--the emts were surprised she made it out of the car (she climbed through the window) with no major injuries...another daughter totalled her Cav a couple years ago at a stop light bumper cars line up on black ice. They don't seem to be the sturdiest of vehicles...

So glad everything turned out ok.

You now have a mini van....which means you can fit more face paint in it!

Not to bust on Cavaliers but...had one. Owned it for 4 years...towed it 6 times. Got rid of it as soon as possible.

Glad you are OK and YIPPEE! New Car! More face paint!

Wow somewhat similar situation for me with my 99 camry needing $1500 to fix. So i got a new Highlander yesterday. So much more room for my equipment!

Glad you are ok and things worked out well. The place that passed the cavalier safety... Should pay for any loss of pay you had or extra expenses if any.

Thanks for all of the kind comments!
Yes, I certainly can fit more facepaint in my mini-van, but now I have no money to buy any!
I must practice, practice, practice so I can start booking gigs!

Wow, super sucks to have your bumper on the pavement...Glad it all turned out and no one was hurt.

What a terrible and crazy experience. That would be just horrible!!
I just got rid of the minivan I had for 10 years. I've been kicking myself ever since. I bought a Camry,which I love but oh my goodness, I hate shoving my canopy through the trunk now. It is almost impossible to get out. I didn't think my purchase through well, I guess, I just really wanted a car this time. I do love my Camry but oh how I miss my van! Hope you enjoy yours.