the subaru is getting fixed today. i did the usual full 30k mile maintenance (well, it was probably much closer to 40k) with the exception of the timing belt (which i had replaced last year sometime). the snow tires are now mounted, which is good since there is plenty of snow to be had. i also finally got the rear door fixed; the handle and mechanism had been almost completely rusted which made it very difficult to open and close it. not being able to open the back would be a major bummer (and would negate a major benefit of having a station wagon).
jesse used to have a volvo wagon where, at the end of its life, only the driver side door would open out of the five doors. i guess he was lucky that door was the last to go.
the front brakes are also shot again after only a year. damn, that was fast. scott (the guy i usually have handle my auto stuff) said it was probably due to heavy usage, weathering, and corrosion as opposed to, say, the previous installers (not them) screwing something up. that’s good news, i guess, as otherwise i would be more than mildly annoyed.
unfortunately, they don’t have the brakes in stock as some evil person earlier in the day needed them, so i’ll have to take it back again next week. ah, well, what can you do. the subaru has not been givng me as much love as my two previous toyotas.