dead monte carlo

Although my sister arrived safely from Massachusetts, her car didn't fare out so well.

Just before she left, she had a transmission service done; a basic flush and fill. Not a big deal.

The moron who performed the work conveniently forgot to place a seal back on the automatic transmission, and all the tranny fluid leaked out. No fluid = no lubrication = busted transmission.

The car was brought to a proper (as in ASE certified) transmission shop yesterday just outside of Inverness. The bill for repairs is over $3000. Yeah. Ouch.

Being that the problem originated due to a mechanic's screw-up, I told my sister to let the insurance companies (as in hers and the auto-idiot's place) duke it out. Hopefully she'll fare out okay. Either the car will be fixed or she'll be compensated enough to get another car.

In the event she needs a new ride, she's in the right place for it. Florida sells tons of cars. I recommend to anyone that if you're in the market for a car, shop here. If a car sells for $25,000 up north, it's $19,000 here - or less. No joke.

I told my sister that it's just a car. It wasn't like she owned a Corvette or a DeLorean. Just a plain jane Monte Carlo. Cars can be replaced. Better that she's in good shape (although a bit shaken up from the whole ordeal) and the car is busted, rather than her busted and the car in good shape.

Not a very happy Christmas for my sister, but as they say, all things happen for a reason. Maybe this is an indicator that she's supposed to stay in Florida.

-- update --

Auto-idiot very quickly agreed to incur all costs for fixing the car, even if his insurance doesn't completely cover the damage. Should be fixed after the holiday.

Cool beans.