Autohypochondriac - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

El Pollo · 07-05-2005, 08:23 PM

We all know what a hypochondriac is: someone who always thinks they're sick to the point that they make themselves sick. Well I've finally figured out that I must be an autohypochondriac: I keep believing there's something wrong with my car until I make my car sick. Everey little bump, every little noise, every little thing about my car means something. And since I don't know a damn thing about cars, I assume the worst. And then, eventually, it comes true. And it just keeps happening. My tires blow out, my struts get destroyed, my check engine light comes on, my dashboard short circuits, etc. And it just keeps going. I hope this last round of repairs will last me for a while but I'm still on the edge of my seat with every bump and noise. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, I hate cars.

MexicanOnABike · 07-05-2005, 10:44 PM

i know it's a shitty thing when cars break down but i can't help but laugh at the situation... sorry.
what kind of car? maybe it's time you upgrade? or maybe it's time you get a complete peice of shit that cost almost nothing so if something seems to go wrong, you can just forget about it since it's not important.

Daniel_ · 07-05-2005, 11:25 PM

You have my sympathy.

My mother is a "car witch" (family joke). Every time anyone in the family lends her a car, it comes back with something broken. Not damaged by mis-use, but not working.

She used mine once and the passenger seatbelt stopped unreeling more than half way. There are many other cases.

It's too weird.

Nobody lets her use their cars any more. But that might just be because we're not talking to her.

El Pollo · 07-06-2005, 02:24 AM

It's a 97 Honda Accord. Accords are usually very reliable. I had one before this one and it worked great, even after it got flooded. And this one started off just fine and was fairly reliable for 2 years. But then the problems just all came in succession and now I'm scared to touch the thing.

bermuDa · 07-06-2005, 05:09 PM

weigh your expenses and decide whether it's more cost effective to just sell the car and get something else... unless you enjoy being afraid to drive your own car. My old 89 tracer has been a champ, so far the only thing that needed fixing was an old brake hose. If any expense comes up that's more than a grand or so, I've got to chuck it, it's just not worth it.

shakran · 07-06-2005, 05:16 PM

sounds to me like you need to learn somethin' about cars! The problems you're describing are mostly wear items. Tires and struts wear out. It's just a fact of life. The check engine light could be just about anything - and a lot of those things aren't serious. Some cars, the light'll come on if you forget to screw on the gas cap. The dash short circuiting is the only weird one you described.

The best way to stop being worried about every noise is to learn about cars and how they work. It's intimidating at first but when you get right down to it, cars are pretty simple. If you can figure out how to undo a bolt, you can do most car repairs

My wife used to be just like you. Every time a new thunk would appear she'd think the car was about to die. I suggested she learn a few things about cars, and she kinda took it to the extreme. Bought a Sentra, stripped everything off it, then put it back together, replacing anything that was worn. Now she won't even LET me fix her cars. Insists on doing it herself. She's having a ball with it, and never had those "what the hell is THAT" moments again.

07-05-2005, 08:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
El Pollo Insane Location: Austin, TX	Autohypochondriac We all know what a hypochondriac is: someone who always thinks they're sick to the point that they make themselves sick. Well I've finally figured out that I must be an autohypochondriac: I keep believing there's something wrong with my car until I make my car sick. Everey little bump, every little noise, every little thing about my car means something. And since I don't know a damn thing about cars, I assume the worst. And then, eventually, it comes true. And it just keeps happening. My tires blow out, my struts get destroyed, my check engine light comes on, my dashboard short circuits, etc. And it just keeps going. I hope this last round of repairs will last me for a while but I'm still on the edge of my seat with every bump and noise. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, I hate cars.

07-05-2005, 10:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
MexicanOnABike Location: up north	i know it's a shitty thing when cars break down but i can't help but laugh at the situation... sorry. what kind of car? maybe it's time you upgrade? or maybe it's time you get a complete peice of shit that cost almost nothing so if something seems to go wrong, you can just forget about it since it's not important. __________________ - Movie Reviews - Ratings-

07-05-2005, 11:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Daniel_ Evil Priest: The Devil Made Me Do It! Location: Southern England	You have my sympathy. My mother is a "car witch" (family joke). Every time anyone in the family lends her a car, it comes back with something broken. Not damaged by mis-use, but not working. She used mine once and the passenger seatbelt stopped unreeling more than half way. There are many other cases. It's too weird. Nobody lets her use their cars any more. But that might just be because we're not talking to her. __________________ ╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗ Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air, And deep beneath the rolling waves, In labyrinths of Coral Caves, The Echo of a distant time Comes willowing across the sand; And everthing is Green and Submarine ╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

07-06-2005, 05:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
bermuDa don't ignore this--> Location: CA	weigh your expenses and decide whether it's more cost effective to just sell the car and get something else... unless you enjoy being afraid to drive your own car. My old 89 tracer has been a champ, so far the only thing that needed fixing was an old brake hose. If any expense comes up that's more than a grand or so, I've got to chuck it, it's just not worth it. __________________ I am the very model of a moderator gentleman.

07-06-2005, 02:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
El Pollo Insane Location: Austin, TX	It's a 97 Honda Accord. Accords are usually very reliable. I had one before this one and it worked great, even after it got flooded. And this one started off just fine and was fairly reliable for 2 years. But then the problems just all came in succession and now I'm scared to touch the thing.

07-06-2005, 05:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	sounds to me like you need to learn somethin' about cars! The problems you're describing are mostly wear items. Tires and struts wear out. It's just a fact of life. The check engine light could be just about anything - and a lot of those things aren't serious. Some cars, the light'll come on if you forget to screw on the gas cap. The dash short circuiting is the only weird one you described. The best way to stop being worried about every noise is to learn about cars and how they work. It's intimidating at first but when you get right down to it, cars are pretty simple. If you can figure out how to undo a bolt, you can do most car repairs My wife used to be just like you. Every time a new thunk would appear she'd think the car was about to die. I suggested she learn a few things about cars, and she kinda took it to the extreme. Bought a Sentra, stripped everything off it, then put it back together, replacing anything that was worn. Now she won't even LET me fix her cars. Insists on doing it herself. She's having a ball with it, and never had those "what the hell is THAT" moments again.