Cars are funny this way: got 3 payments left on the ol' Tracker, new job doesn't require any driving so I've really only had her out the last 2 months for shopping or going to the airport... so naturally, she's decided to have a fit.
Noticed some odd symptoms- trans starting to slip alittle going into 1st gear (electronic auto trans), and at the same time, the engine coolant gauge going berserk. Coolant vanishing, but couldn't find the leak.Didn't seem to be actually overheating until Saturday, when it overheated and expired on the Turnpike as I was on my way to go flying... grrr... perfect day....coolant steam coming out of water pump; ah yes, the seal is blown. funny, though- not a peep out ofthat thing; they usually make a hell of a racket when they go.
Oh well, I was going to bring it in for service on a long list of minor items anyway; needs to be brought up to snuff for inspection (a little overdue)... and amazingly, the first towtruck (flatbed) showed up in 15 minutes. He charged $80  to get me off the highway, so I decided to call a contractor on my roadside rescue list for 3 free miles and what I hoped would be a reasonable fee for the 10+ miles back to Newark. He showed up in about 1/2 hour... this is unheard of!! Forty bucks for 17 miles; much better. Total for towing was less than what the airplane rental time would've cost. But: note to self: renew AAA membership, idiot!! But of course, even AAA cannot get you towed off the Turnpike...
But of course I am not done spending money, here... the garage called yesterday with an estimate. Seems everything I thought was wrong was correct: water pump shot,  trans pan is leaking, coolant temp sensor and thermostat should probably be replaced. there is still the possibility that the radiator's bad, which could cause intermingling of coolant and trans fluid (ulp!); they have to do the above work first to confirm that. Got my fingers crossed.
At any rate, these guys are OK. I've used them before (for the old Volvo), and I trust them. The bill for thermostat, sensor, water pump, new trans pan gasket, new valve cover gasket, new air filter, new plugs, replacing a broken stud on each rear wheel, and new front brake pads: $725 with labor. That's not too shabby, considering how much disassembly is required to get at all that stuff.
The bad news? To pass inspection, the exhaust manifold (cracked) has to be replaced. Can't be found used, Can't be fixed (broken bolt where it attached to down pipe)and the best price they (and I) could find for the part was $320. Crap! Thought I'd seen them cheaper, but can only find cheap ones for the '95 model. Urgh.
I have to be philosophical... I've neglected this car; it could've  been much worse (new transmission? Blown head gasket?). She's overdue for some pampering; I've done all the work on it myself the last 5 years, saving tons of money in the process.
And I have the money, although it'd be nice to spend it on many other things...
I could do a lot of this work myself, but I'm too busy and sick of working under it in the parking lot. always seems to rain when I have that thing in pieces... later this summer I'll probably throw some new shocks on it and maybe get a new soft-top for it. Then new tires before the next snow, and that should hold it... until the valves start to go...

Hey Sean, look at it like this... the whole towing thing would have been far worse if it was your rental C150 on the turnpike and the FAA came in for a little rescue... 

Seriously, cars eat money! Not alone gas...

Last month I had my girlfriends car inspected... broken exhaust-pipe... 350+ euro's to replace it... 2 weaks ago, I noticed my exhaust seemed to be hanging lower than normal... 400+ bill to replace mine ( slightly bigger car)

And than garages... I once had airco-trouble... gas gone... ok, refill... gas gone again... baboons in garage tell me it's nothing, fill it again... gas gone again... compressor dead... compressor connected to motor... causing extra-resistance on starting the engine... killing off my battery. Result? Tow-costs, new compressor, new battery... just before I went for the south of France.

So, I come in the south of France, the sun burns, I turn on the airco... and behold? Nothing! Bleeding hot in France during the summer, I tell you that!

Back in Belgium... other garage... seems a conduite leaked, as did a big coolant-grill.

Now it works...

Total amount of cash spent? 2.500 Euro's!

I felt kinda sick when I added it all up... 

Oh well,

We'll live...

Kris

Bingo, Brett- I was hoping it was not the case, but after changing water pump, etc. they fired it up today and- guess what? Still losing coolant, and she overheated quickly. Blown head gasket. Cool! I hate having money!!
Even better: the head might be cracked (I will of course go to see it if that's what's claimed next, but it wouldn't surprise me).
That'll mean a full top overhaul... yippee!!! I'll be broke!! Woohoo!!!

   

Eh, it's not that bad, really- as long as the repair doesn't exceed what I paid for the car, it won't be as bad as some of my other "dead car" stories (like the time the aluminum head blew on my old Fiat; the carb was full of oil... heartbreaking).
  I'll bite the bullet, whip out the plastic, and tell myself I'm buying another year or two of worry-free utility out of this cool little truck.