In 1982 a beige Buick Regal was probably a mighty fine ride to a certain portion of the population, I don't know for sure - I was driving a Camaro at the time. As many of you may know I received the "gift" of said Buick in August of 2006. I paid my auntie $600. "for the tires " and spent another $500 to get it road ready because it sat in her garage for two years. The A/C was kaput and the cost of fixing it outrageous. So I ejnoy long hot Summers. By November I had to buy a new radiator.
It was mostly OK though because I didn't have to ride a bus to the market and laundry, and could use it to drive mom where ever she wanted to go and to drive auntie in deference to mom's request.
Now, however, she's pretty used up and starting to drive me loco. First the right rear turn signal quit and when I had it changed it'd burn out in two weeks. So I get to use arm signals when I turn right. People look at me like I'm nuts, or think I'm waving or giving them a rude gesture. Wierd and exciting at times.
It has a power antenna that would go up when you turn on the radio and down when you turned it off. It quit with the antenna in the up position. At the same time I noticed the dome light and power door locks no longer functioned. I changed the fuse but it lasted only a couple of weeks. Then the passenger side window stopped working, at least it was in the up position. It works sometimes now - but I'm scared of it because I don't want it stuck down.
Well, a few weeks ago the little plastic tab that you push to raise and lower the driver's side window, snapped off. No problem - there's a little hole - so I just stuck a screw driver in an voila!
But the other day the plastic at the top of the little hole cracked! So I could put the window down - but not up. It was dark and raining so I put a plastic bag over the door and slammed it shut.
The next day on my way, in a hurry, to a meeting I stopped to check in the trunk for some other kind of tool. The air hinges that are supposed to hold the lid up, failed and it came down on my noggin - ouch! No serious damage, it's a gift to be hard headed. I finally found a pair of scissors (no I don't know why there were scissors under the seat!) and twisted until I made a little hole in the plastic and finally was able to raise the window. It's all good - except for the fact that I have to actually LOOK at the spot to use the tool and can't do it safely in traffic, sometimes - so I have to be too hot or too cold. (alas poor me) Oh but don't forget I have to have it down when driving to wag my turn signal arm. OH life is just a bowl of cherries - but watch out for the pits !
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