My car's timing belt snapped on I-95 last month and I couldn't afford the repair

I dropped out of community college two years ago to save money for a better car. Last month on I-95 near Richmond my timing belt snapped and killed the engine. The repair quote came back at $1,800 which is basically what I had saved. I ended up selling the car for scrap at $400 and taking the bus for six weeks. Now I'm behind on rent and thinking about going back to school just for the loan money. Has anyone else had a major car failure wreck their plans after leaving college?

2 comments

2 Comments

cole_walker2624d ago

Man dude, I read something about this on Jalopnik a while back... guy was talking about how timing belts are basically a ticking time bomb if you skip the maintenance. That "sold the car for scrap at $400" part hit hard because I had a similar thing with a used Camry last year. The alternator went out on me heading to work and the whole thing just snowballed into a nightmare. I get the whole "going back to school for the loan money" thing too... it's rough when you're stuck between fixing a car and keeping a roof over your head.

kelly6124d ago

Ha! Nothing says "smart financial move" like dropping out of school only to watch a $30 rubber band destroy your entire car fund. I mean, at least the bus gives you plenty of time to regret everything.