When we last spoke about Mini Me’s Misadventurous adventure…the Misogynistic Mini Mechanics had replaced her engine and assorted internal organs, but left her night-blind in one eye because I wouldn’t pay them $79 bucks to change her bulb.
That aside, Mini and I had a bit of a Me to Mini convo, where I told her I was taking her into a Mini-Mechanic Free Zone so she better be on her best behavior.
If not…I was abosofrigginlutely ready to take her into the woods and introduce her Bonnet to her Boot, if you catch my drift.
She apparently didn’t want her face to meet her arse because we made it home in one piece and in time for supper.
That was Saturday.
Do you know where she was on Tuesday?
Yup.
Back in the shop.
It seems, the poor dear was low on oxygen and needed a new sensor.
(O2 Sensor…get it?)
Anyway…
$405 bucks later, she was breathing freely again, which is good, cause I had a special day planned for that Mini-bitch.
You’ll remember the little convo she and I had before we left the dealership?
Well…
SAYONARA SISTER!
So, it is now official…I’ve had my last Mini-break
I. Am. Now…
Post-MINI-pausal!
I’d like to introduce you to my new friend…
Su.Be.Du…Sue for short
∗This gal has stars in her eyes∗
Let’s see how we get along…’cause I’ve already warned her…
After 3 weeks, I leave the Great Frozen North (a.k.a. The Northeast Kingdom) Friday, on the journey south to reclaim Mini Me and head home to Virginia on Saturday.
The hotel room near the dealership is booked so I can arrive at the service door bright and early Saturday morning to pick her up.
Speaking of the dealership…I was in contact with them today, as I had asked them to do an ‘extended’ test drive to make sure she was sound, knowing I was leaving for Virginia directly from picking her up.
Word back from the Wrench Wench was…
“The test drive went really well, the Mini’s purring, but one of her high beams is out.”
“Which one?” I ask
“Driver’s side high beam” she replies
“Really? I had that replaced in July” I remind her, since she has all the service records.
“Maybe the other dealership used an aftermarket bulb” suggested she.
“Not sure what you mean by aftermarket bulb Marissa. Last I checked, the bulbs were not MINI specific. As far as I can tell from the receipt, they installed a Sylvania 9008, which seems to be the standard.”
“Do you want us to fix it? If you do, I can order the bulb today and it will be here tomorrow.”
“Order it? You don’t HAVE one? What would that cost me Marissa?”
“$78.96”
“To replace a bulb????”
“The cost of the bulb is $13.96 plus tax. Labor to install is $69.13. And, if you had it replaced at a dealership last time, maybe they would offer a warranty on the bulb?”
“Marissa, the cost to replace that same bulb in July was $36 complete. I think charging $69 just to install a bulb is MORE than UNREASONABLE! I’m not sure why your quote is so high, but would appreciate if you could work with me on the price (not to mention, between me and the warranty company, you just got paid 8,600 bucks!”
” I can’t really speak for other dealer’s pricing. All dealerships vary around the country usually because of state differences.”
“Well, I think I’ll pass on your installing a replacement bulb and I’ll take care of it when I get home.”
Sing along with me?
I dream of Mini with the bright gold lights…
Yeah, you’d think so wouldn’t you?
I’m really not convinced this entire scenario would have played out the same way had I, been a bloke and not a sheila.
Even a sheila as mouthy as me.
Who’s to know for sure.
All I do know, is that come Saturday morning…I’m back behind the wheel, headed home.
And depending on how fast I dare to drive until I know Mini Me is with me or against me…
14 or so hours later (I’m taking the road less traveled home), I’ll be in my own bed, snugglin’ with my Sadie, and scratching my husband.
Really?
Oh wait…In my own bed, scratching my Sadie and snugglin’ my husband.
Either way…I’ll be at a Ford dealership the day after.
50 Shades of Gray Hair 
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