that's a good experience.

on saturday, i discovered that one of the hangers (that's what it is) had broken and stopped by the MONRO (OF WATERTOWN MASS SUCKS ASS!) and it was a really shitty experience. the guy behind the counter was a prick. i will admit that M had given me mixed reviews from co-workers, but that things tended to be more negative than positive. but i was figuring it would be a quick fix, easy money and a quick way to end the day. instead, the prick behind the counter blew me off.

so, fuck 'em.

fast forward to this morning. i call Midas down the road from me (one i actually went to a few years ago, still had me in their records with my old addy) to see if they can look at it, and after a minor shock of "a few hours" (i think he was figuring the whole exhaust system would need to be fixed, which i spose would take "a few hours"), i headed down there. a few minutes to take a look at things and the result is this:

• 3 broken hangers (2 on the muffler, 1 on the tailpipe)
  
• 30 minutes to fix
  
• $40
  
• satisfied customer: priceless

so off i went to get coffee and a muffin, walk back and hit an ATM and by the time i got back, my car was on the ground getting ready to be backed out of the bay. it took 20 minutes.

so, i'll cry from a mountain top - GOTO MIDAS! MONRO SUCKS ASS! GET THE MIDAS TOUCH!

it was pretty cool and i'm kicking myself for not having my camera with me, but i've never been under my car (either one for that matter) so it was kinda surreal being under it and looking at the underside. there was something of a simplicity to it. cars to most people seem like these complicated devices, and what we can't see, must be complicated. but looking under mine and it really is pretty simple. i was able to identify pretty much everything. found out that my fuel tank runs parallel to the left side of the car (makes sense as the spare tire is under the trunk) so i'm practically sitting on it as i drive. but it also explains why the 2-door has a 17.3 gallon tank vs. the 4-door which has a 20 gallon tank. (the wheelbase is longer on the 4-door, more room for the larger fuel tank)

there is a plate that covers the fuel tank, the transfer case (that's what provides power to the front wheels for 4WD), the muffler, suspension. things were looking a little rust covered, but everything looked sound from my layman perspective. but all in all, it was pretty cool. i realize that it's just another car for mechanics, but as someone who knows far less about cars than i'd like, it was pretty cool.

so, remember people, given the choice of Midas or Monro, go Midas.