TDI by Greg

I finally did some internet research on the new Jetta. I had relied on my mechanically minded son’s decision to buy this vehicle so did not to this prior to buying it from him. My first search turned up one of the “this or that sucks” websites so I got pretty nervous about it at first but furhter research reassured me we had made a good decision. I found a couple of technically oriented sites that give all kinds of expert advice on maintaining and repairing these high tech engines. They don’t get 50 plus miles per gallon out of an engine without advanced technology and I found that repair costs are exhorbitant if preventive maintenance is not done religiously.

The biggest issue is the timing belt change which must be done every 60,000 miles. I do not know when the last one was done and Aaron has not been on line for the last couple of days to ask him. It is making me nervous since the car has 114,000 miles it which means it is due if the last one was done on schedule. I hope I get can get ahold of him soon. If the belt goes (and they don’t give any warning before they do) the engine stands to be in need of $5,000 plus of repairs. The timing belt change runs $1100 and we have that scheduled for Monday. Ouch.

We have a lunch date today with Glen Horsmann, his wife, Beth, and Bill and Harriet Agee. I doubt anyone reading this knows Bill and Harriet but Harriet worked for the Insurance Division years ago. They retired to full timing for some 10 years or so I believe but have given that up for a full time residence here in Arizona. It will be good to see them, Bill is a true character.

Now that we have a car to get around in we will certainly be doing a lot more site seeing and photography. I think we may go to the zoo tomorrow if I can find out from Aaron about the timing belt. Otherwise we will keep the driving to a minimum until we have the work done.

Yesterday was a georgeous day but rain is predicted for Sunday. We had a little rain a couple of days after I got back from Oregon. The same storm I drove through nearly all the way here.

I finally had a chance yesterday to visit the recreational facilities here. They are very very nice. The weight room would do a college training facility proud and includes three recumbent bikes I will be getting on. I have not been good about doing the physical therapy so am still using a cane to get around but that will change today. (Doing the excercises) With two large swimming pools I can also do the water excercises that are a big help in building back the atrophied muscles in my leg.

I thought about going to the Frank Lloyd Wright mansion in Phoenix but they want $37 each to go on a tour so we may wait a bit to do that if at all. I also want to visit the Hohokam American Indian ruins at the Pueblo Grande Museum. That will all happen late next week.

Take care.

Greg