Check engine light came on, figured it was something relating to emissions — yep. The “converter”, whatever the fuck that is. Something to do with the tailpipe. The car is still, for now, driveable, but I was advised I’ll eventually begin to see performance issues. Since the repair issue isn’t as pressing as, say, blowing my clutch out, I think I’ll probably wind up taking it to Ed’s Garage in Hereford. If the things customers look for in businesses that they patronize, Ed is three for four: he’s cheap, talented, and honest. However, he’s not particularly quick. (But I’ll take the three he’s got for what he doesn’t).

I don’t see anyway I’ll avoid paying this repair, short of moving right now to DC, or buying a new car. Since breaking my lease would cost more than the repair, that’s not an option. Since buying a new car would be far more expensive than the repair, that’s not really an option, either.

Hopefully, I will soon find a job in or near DC that enables me to quit my pizza delivery job and use my vehicle primarily for my commute (to the nearest MARC station). When that happens, and my vehicle becomes more for transport and less as my primary source of income, I’ll be far more comfortable (less mileage, less breaky-breaky).

I bought my Celica in July ’03. It had 35,000 miles on it. It now has close to 180,000. If I keep it, I’d like to be able to run her into the mid two-hundreds before I go shopping for a replacement. For the most part, she’s been a great little car.