Desperately trying to keep my baby

"Jagvar" (Jagvar)
12/09/2014 at 22:03 • Filed to: None

Until recently, I've always been fortunate enough to make a comfortable living. But since I lost my job in August, things have been rough. Thankfully, I didn't stay unemployed for long, but my current job pays $15K less per year than my old one. And my bank statement paints a bleak picture. I'm losing more than $1,000 each month, and that's just from paying my living expenses. The Phaeton is due for its 90K service, and for the first time in my life, I don't think I can afford it. It needs new pads and rotors, and I think when all is said and done, it's going to be more than $3K worth of maintenance.

I'm trying to adjust to my new, lower income. I've scaled back and I've altered my standard of living. No more traveling. No more going out to eat. No more snacks. The heat stays below 70. Next, I'm probably going to cancel my cable. But it's not enough. It's looking like I either need to give up my house or the Phaeton, and the very thought breaks my heart.

That being said, I'm not giving up yet. I still have some savings, and I'll see how badly I get gouged on the 90K service. But if I do end up having to put her up for sale, you guys will hear about it first. This car is a part of me, and things would have to get very desperate before I would say goodbye.

DISCUSSION (37)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:07

Do the brakes yourself, it'll save a lot of money and brakes aren't that hard. You got this, I have faith in you. Or sell it to Doug for a year and then buy it back for less after he's paid for the service...

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:09

I admire your resolve. I hope things work out.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:10

Brakes are very easy to do yourself. Youtube will walk you through it with very basic tools.

Im sorry to hear you might have to sell your car but remember its just a possession. Things will turn around and get better

Alex B > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:12

Solution! Don't drive it until you can pay for it. Maybe start it up a few times and it run here and there. Then 90K won't come up nearly as fast.

Jagvar > Alex B
12/09/2014 at 22:14

That's what I've been doing. I take it out for a very short drive every couple of weeks. But the car is long overdue for service. It's been more than a year since it was last maintained.

 > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:14

I hear Doug Demuro is looking for a car. I am sure once he is finished writing a bunch of articles about his terrible dealership experiences and inability to get laid he will sell the car back to you. Hopefully by then things pick up again.

Leadbull > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/09/2014 at 22:14

Kinja'd!!!

That's crazy.

Leadbull > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:15

Sell your massive shoe collection.

Spaceball-Two >
12/09/2014 at 22:15

Doug hates VAG.

Jagvar >
12/09/2014 at 22:15

I dunno, I don't see him getting into an '04 Phaeton. An E60 M5, maybe.

PS9 > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:16

Get two more jobs. I have like 4. It's not aaaaaahhhhhh———-

Sorry, minor stroke. As I was saying, it's not all bad, plus you get to remain productive instead of lying on your back on a warm comfy soothing mattress having the best sleep of your life. I've forgotten what sleep is like, but I imagine it to be awesome.

Jagvar > Leadbull
12/09/2014 at 22:16

How do you think I bought the car in the first place?

Grindintosecond > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:18

Fazoli's has cheap soup and unlimited bread sticks. you should go eat soup at Fazoli's whenever you feel a bit too good for Aldi's. [edit:] i'm sorry if that may have sounded a bit terse or pokey funny. I meant it purely as humor.

heliochrome85 > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:22

best of luck sir. Sorry to hear things aren't as peachy as you deserve for them to be. 2014 seems to have been a tumultuous year for you.

Raphmoe > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:28

You should pay a few hundred dollars and talk to a financial advisor.

They will be able to do a few things, not the least of which explain that spending $1,000 over a month because you're dipping in to savings is not sustainable.

Seriously, be smart my man. You got this.

AM3R shamefully returns > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:34

sorry to hear about that.

DIY to save money, do you have time to pick up a second job?

thebigbossyboss > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:37

Sorry to hear! I know that feels man, I went from quite a good income to less than $30K. Was really tough to make ends meet.

Jagvar > thebigbossyboss
12/09/2014 at 22:40

Are you back to making a good income now?

thebigbossyboss > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:42

Kind of? Contract for good income signed. It starts Jan 6th, so I guess, no, but I see the light!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:44

What needs to be done? Can you do most of it yourself and can you do it in stages? You don't have to do everything at once and maybe if you stretch that service over a couple of months it might lessen the blow?

Raphmoe > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:48

how long have you owned your car? Is it paid off?

Raphmoe > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:48

do you have more than one car?

Raphmoe > AM3R shamefully returns
12/09/2014 at 22:49

oppo is my second job

Jagvar > Raphmoe
12/09/2014 at 22:49

I've owned it for five and a half years, and yes, it's completely paid off.

Jagvar > Raphmoe
12/09/2014 at 22:51

I own two. My daily driver is a 1999 Mitsubishi Galant that I've owned for 15 years. It's faded and rusty, but it costs next to nothing to run, and just keeps going and going.

Raphmoe > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 22:51

so, do pads and rotors cost $3,000?

Because, the Phaeton is not that special, I'm sure you can do the work yourself if you need to.

Is this your only car?

Jagvar > Raphmoe
12/09/2014 at 22:56

Front pads: $200

Front discs: $250

Rear pads: $80

Rear discs: $240

With tax and shipping, the grand total for parts alone is north of $800. But I need a lot more done than just the pads and rotors.

Raphmoe > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 23:00

what else do you need to do?

Might as well itemize the costs here, i am sure there are opponauts that have experience or can help.

Leadbull > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 23:02

Probably from a car dealership.

Raphmoe > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 23:11

that's good. and the Phaeton is paid off; besides the maintenance. Where are all your expenses? unless you're paying like $2,500 in mortgage payments a month it does not seem that hard to perform maintenance on cars that are paid off. i am not great with numbers tho so correct me where i am wrong.

AM3R shamefully returns > Raphmoe
12/09/2014 at 23:12

oppo is my first job, that place I go 5 days a week is my second job.

Raphmoe > AM3R shamefully returns
12/09/2014 at 23:17

fuck yea

Vicente Esteve > Jagvar
12/09/2014 at 23:43

Im sorry to hear that. And I can just start to understand the pain it must be. I hope it gets resolved, and you don't have to go as far as selling the Phaeton.

ciscokidinsf > Jagvar
12/10/2014 at 02:39

Dude, My Bro Jagvar!!! I know exactly how your heart feels. I was there just a year ago. ( http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/i-sold-my-2004… ) The Phaeton is an expensive, addictive mistress. LOL at the Galant coincidence too, because my other car was also a Mitsu ('93 3000GT when I had my 04) Yeah the Brake Pads/rotors estimate is about right. you could probably squeeze it a bit cheaper. Tires, look hard for Chinese ones, they now do have those heavy tires. However, if you did the 80K mile service, you know you are ahead. Find an independent Audi/VW shop. On my 04, I did approx 20% of the work with my friends (they are very handy with VWs), 60% at independent shops, only the other 20% at the dealer. As long as you don't run it, just be patient. Gas is cheaper now! Give it a few months. Supposedly the economy is going up, not down, so hope it comes by faster your way. And if you give her up, we'll find you an 2006 when fortune smiles and stops farting. Good luck dude!

Raphmoe > Jagvar
12/10/2014 at 09:31

i just saved you $530:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Rear…

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jagvar
12/10/2014 at 18:30

It really saddens me to read this, but it's not worth dipping into savings to stay in an expensive-to-maintain car while you're cutting back so hard everywhere else, however much you love her...

sheila > ciscokidinsf
01/18/2015 at 06:42

I want to thank you for this wonderful program. After years of trying to conceive and a failed IVF and a failed FET, I ordered Pregnancy Herb @ fiokporspiritualtemple@gmail.com According to my infertility doctor it was "very unlikely" that I could be pregnant. But here i am pregnant for the first time in life. I got pregnant naturally just 2 months after my failed FET and after following the Instructions given to me by Dr. I am now 7 month pregnant . I am spreading this story to whomever I meet and who suffers from infertility. he can also restore a broken relationship and make your wish come through.. Do not delete this post, i am helping somebody out here... believed me this is real