RIP: Subaru 1996-2008

As we pulled out of Mark and Diana's driveway, Kathy's trust old subaru felt funny; the wheels felt like they were on ice. I vowed to take it to the dealer when we got back up to Sarasota. Unfortunately, we never got that chance.

We're cruising down I75 at about 80 when we get into traffic and I have to take the cruise control off. The car immediately starts slowing down, cars begin backing up behind us blowing their horns and drivers cursing; something is clearly way wrong. And, to make matters worse, we're in a construction zone, with those big concrete barriers on both sides, and nowhere to pull off, except to just stop dead in the traffic lane. Of such are great 5 o'clock news videos made...

Anyhow, as we're now down to about 15mph, and cars are coming behind us at about 80mph, we're scrambling for an exit. The first sign we see if just coincidently for george's place near naples, and it's only a mile down the road. So, we goose the engine up to 7,000rpm, and make a run for the exit ramp...at 15mph and slowing. 5 minutes later, we just make the exit as a tandem semi is bearing down on us, coast down the offramp, and roll to a stop on the side of the highway.

I call george, who without any hesitation cuts out of his golf game and comes to get us. Couldn't ask for a better friend in time of need. While I wait roadside for the flatbed (try finding a flatbed in Florida), he gives kathy his new cadillac, and returns to his golf game. Kathy of course is scared to death, as the car costs more than our house...and cars...and frankly, all our assets put together.

Then, the real fun begins. First, the the only subaru dealer is 80 miles away, and AAA doesn't cover that far. So, there goes the leftover cash in the wallet. An hour after pickup, the tow operator calls me with the news "Hey Lumpy, there's no subaru dealer here, just an empty parking lot". Seems AAA had bad info in their database, and sent him to a long closed dealership. So, he just drops the car off at a local garage and leaves. It's now about 10pm, and the car broke down about noon. This day is definitely shot.

Upon awakening (and smelling Mickey's manhattans for breakfast), we take the Caddy up to the garage (80 miles away). Although I left them a voice mail to not touch the car, they, of course, had it up on a lift anyways and we're working on it. So, first I had to get them to put it down and leave it alone. Next , we had to get yet ANOTHER flatbed to transport the car from this garage to the site of the new subaru dealership. Another 3 hours or so lost. The dealer said he would take at least a look at it today, so we went and hung out.

Hours later, he calls me with the great news that for just a few hundred dollars in parts, he will be able to tell me if the car will ever run again. So, we go that route. Oh, and it will be tomorrow before he knows. So, we're stuck in the Caddy for another day. Nice though, as we can setup a tent in the back seat, and it has a full kitchenette.

The next day he breaks the news to us that the car is dead; victim of a destroyed transmission. As the tranny costs more than the car did originally, we decide to put it to sleep. 12 years and 130,000 miles, not a bad run. Kathy is heartbroken; she loved that car, and it had saved her several times from death with its traction and hardiness. They were kind enough to pull the kayak racks off, which turned into a 2 hour job, complete with hacksaws, blowtorches, and drums of lubricant.

So, mr subaru, thank you for all your years of hard work, for keeping us safe, and for all the fun venues we've experienced on your back. Rest in Peace.