It was an ordinary summer Wednesday, driving south from Oregon, down into California, bound for the great wide east. The open road lay before us in all its glory. And lo! there was a terrible shaking of the vehicle, which continued even at rest. The light of angry engine ignited, and in vain an explanation was sought.
None being forthcoming, I called for a towtruck, and was safely delivered to the backcountry purgatory that is Susanville, CA. Being late in the day, a diagnostic was scheduled for the following morning. Car-less and despondent, we were left to check into a Super 8, enjoy a longed for shower, bad science fiction movies, and a reasonable amount of alcohol. The worst was considered, but high hopes were to pinned on a brighter tomorrow.
The sun rose, the morning blossomed. We vacated our dwelling and haunted the library, having the twin luxuries of books and wifi. And then we waited....
And after some calls some horrible, ridiculous, unbelievable news. "Your car needs a new engine."
Thus my shiny, ten-month old car needed a massive repair, which apparently cannot be diagnosed further than "it doesn't work, take it apart and get a new one!" The dealership advice: call Chrysler. Our assumed postscript: so that we can be compensated and get a rental home. Chrysler was called a case manager would call in the next business day. We resigned ourselves to staying another night stranded. Back to the Super 8. Hang tough, and all that.
And then the crapstorm really came in.
Chrysler? "Sorry, we gave your case to the wrong guy. And we strung you along so long you can't call anyone useful. And our guy who is supposed to help you doesn't do weekends. Try getting reimbursed for a rental car later, go ahead and we'll not cover the whole bill." Dealership? "Engine comes in a week. We don't have a loaner for you. We can't even get you to a rental car agency. And we're closed on weekends." Rental agency? "Our branch in Susanville is closed weekends. Pony up more hotel money and stay in our scenic hole-in-the-wall town! Or try Reno, which you can't get to without a rental car. Want another rental agency to pick you up? Then prepare to pay thousands more because of your one-way trip across country!"
So yeah.
