Damn cars

I've had pretty good luck with my car. I started driving my current vehicle in summer '02 and to this day it hasn't failed me yet. I've dropped almost 50,000 mi. in it (without any crashes or incidents) and it's taken me all over Minnesota and the midwest, with long trips to and fro to places like Boston, Maine, Cape Cod, Orlando, Daytona Beach, Atlanta, Nashville, Miami University (in Oxford, OH). Hell, I even took it North and South Dakota(gasp!). But besides the basic oil changes, I only had a few basic repairs: vandalized windows, a new battery and snipped hoses to my radiator.

Today, I learned I need all new breaks and a starter (the current one was rusted out). I went to the family auto repair shop that we've used for years - so I don't feel I'm getting ripped off. I never trust car repair folk in the cities. If anyone knows any, drop me a line.

I was due for an expensive repair. As far as the bill received today -- let's just say I know where I will be spending my gov't refund check instead of at Pinehurst No. 2 or Pebble Beach.