Car issues are not MM

[elizabethann]

Today DH and I were on the way to get an estimate for damage that happened to my car (someone backed into my car while it was parked in a parking lot, leaving a huge dent in the bumper and a broken tail light) when we heard some loud noises. When we pulled into the body shop we got out and found I had a flat tire. Thankfully the guy working at the body shop gave us a quick quote to fax to our insurance company and even filled up my tire with air so we could make it to the nearest tire store without ruining my rim. Once we were there the sales person told us the cheapest tire they could install would cost us $150. My tires are just about a year old and I don't do a whole lot of driving so this wasn't expected of course.

This really got me thinking about what people do if they live paycheck to paycheck and don't have credit cards due to being maxed out or not qualifying for them. I am pissed that we had to drop $150 that could have went towards savings but I also feel blessed that we can handle little emergencies without ruining our budget.

This is really a random post, but I'm still pretty sour that this is the 4th time my car has been damaged while being parked (and I'm not talking about the flat tire lol). I don't have very good luck :-|

[blueshirt2003]

That really sucks!

[CloudBee]

You needed a new tire? I'm shocked. If filling it with air was adequate for getting you to the tire shop, I'm honestly floored that the damage causing the flat was severe enough to warrant a new tire.

How bad was the damage you visualized? We've had flats fixed in our high cost of living area for no more than $25.

Sorry about the hit and run accident. Those are the worst.

[MamaMaui24]

Do you have a Discount Tire in your city? They have an amazing warranty that would cover that.

[chessie]

Car issues are the worst. We just replaced my tired, not able to fix it from a side wall gash..cost me 250 for 1 tire. Its unreal. This time last year the costs of repairs was adding up so much for our old car, we went with a new car, cause it was getting so uncontrollable at that point. I am glad we did, I rather know we pay X per month then get slammed with a 2k bill out of the blue.

[elizabethann]

Unfortunately when he filled it with air you could just hear it leaking out right away. It got us to the tire shop which was a right down the street. I'm not sure if patching the hole/whatever it was would've worked but my husband said it must've been riding low for awhile because there was damage around the outside of the tire from rubbing against my rim. I think it must've happened on my way home from work Friday and then driving it to the repair shop didn't help. I just felt more comfortable replacing it so that if the patch didn't work I wouldn't be stranded at some point in the near future (I worry a lot lol).

We just moved across the country about a year ago and before we moved I had all 4 replaced at Discount Tire and had that great warranty, of course when we did a search there aren't Discount Tires nearby us now

I know what you mean Chessie! Both of our cars are getting older and we are hoping to replace my husbands later this year but I am hoping mine will hold out at least another 2 years because we also plan on buying a house next year. Of course things don't always space out the way we plan so who knows!

[Bonita]

Yeah depending on the rim/tire type required, tires are not cheap - $150 isn't too incredibly terrible, but not a bargain either

As for your question regarding people who have no credit, and no money....I guess they might ask friends/family? bargain with the store manager? call around and look for deals elsewhere? cash advance?

Sorry to hear you had the unexpected car issue, but at least you were prepared with an e-fund

[hippygirl]

Car issues can be MM if you think outside of the box. Recently I took my car in and was told a part needed to be replaced for $810. I called a dealership in my hometown. I received my retired parents' business discount and freight for $425. A YouTube video, a screw driver, and 15 minutes later, I did it myself