Here I am at this year’s Boston Marathon, turning the corner onto Boylston Street, getting my first look at the finish line. Those last 385 yards are a killer!
I’ll be running another half marathon in October, but won’t tackle a full 26.2 miles again unless I feel I can get my time back down to something approaching four hours. The facial hair is now gone, by the way.
The air conditioner has been replaced, it works great, and I paid what I expected, a little over $1400, including the initial diagnosis; i.e., the cost of replacing the compressor. So that’s that. Time to move on to whatever coming’s next.
A compromise has been reached with Honda. My position is that I can understand the compressor going on a car with 95,000 miles on it. But this Black Death thing, where the A/C is completely destroyed to the tune of $4000, indicates a product defect. I have agreed to pay $1300 for a compressor replacement job, and they will replace the entire system. The car goes into the shop on Thursday.
It seems likely that I am getting closer to being able to reveal the secret project I’ve mentioned occasionally for some months now. Once I’ve been released from my promise of silence I’ll let you in on the news.
Honda of America called, and we discussed a compromise for “out of warranty” work on replacing the air conditioner. Without stating a dollar amount, I told him in what way I’m willing to be flexible. He’s contacting the dealership, and I might have a decision before the end of the day.
Take a look at this estimate from Bernardi Honda of Natick, MA, for a completely new air conditioning system for a 2002 Honda CRV: $4000
“Compressor Damaged Internally” doesn’t sound like normal wear to me. I’m looking for some honesty and flexibility from Honda of America, and I’d better get it. For starters, I’m already out $108 for the estimate.
I also had the dealer check the driver’s seat. It locks into position, but it feels like a rocking chair when stopping and starting. A couple of loose bolts? Nah. Try a whole new base for over $500. I wonder if the seat as is would be safe in a crash?
What happened, Honda?? These sorts of problems didn’t used to happen.
