Mechanics

After getting my used Jetta from an unnamed dealership in the Boston area (where they did not even friggin' oil the door hinges like they were supposed to on the check list and then offered to do so if I brought the car back but I said I didn't think I would because who knows what else they charged me for and didn't do), I started taking my car to a regular mechanic. I used the Car Talk Radio website to find a mechanic. My Boston mechanic was a guy and his dad and his sister worked the desk usually and they were Brazilian and quite nice and sometimes funny.

My mechanic(s) here are likewise a good find, also thanks to the Magliozzi brothers' website. It is a Napa Auto parts, and I think I am an even bigger fan of them than the Boston place because they have a national name and a standard guarantee on their work. And I see them at least monthly for an oil change or more.

Last time I had an oil change, I remembered how the guy at the front had previously said:

"One of the guys is a Yankees fan and said he hates when your car comes in for work.

I joked back that you do NOT what your mechanic dreading your car coming in, but I understand where the guy was coming from. This is what he sees when my car comes in:

Before my last oil change (6/23 - this will be important later in my suspenseful story) I printed out a Yankees logo and taped it to my front license plate and dropped my car off. Later when they called...

"Two things.."

[Insert stomach dropping because something must be seriously wrong with my car.]

"Your car is ready to pick up. And who is the Yankees fan you live or work with??"

Hahahhaha....I totally made their day. The Yankees fan took a picture and was going to post it on FB. When I went to pick up my car, I was told again how they'd been laughing about it all day...Also, I got a free tire rotation because one of the guys was bored. I did assure them I only put the paper on there AFTER I dropped off my car. I certainly would not have driven around like that.

Anyway. I have spent a fair amount of money at this shop. When CF's car broke down on the way home from the airport and he was near my work, it was towed to this shop. They kinda know me know.

So I call today because my car has had an exhaust leak since we got back from my bro's wedding on 7/4. The guys asks for my name and then says:

"Weren't you just here?"

Not really something you want to hear from your mechanic. But, I am sure we will get a good laugh about the license plate again, and apparently I won the free oil change drawing in June.

OH. And the dates. I had an exhaust leak back in Boston, so I got my old paperwork to see what had been done. On 6/24/2008 I had an oil change. On 7/1/2008 I had an exhaust leak fixed. Coincidence? If so, it is potentially an expensive one.