One thing has been painfully obvious since I got my little metro, the upholstery and support in the seats sucks. As the metro is experiencing some thermostat issues, Ive decided to attack the upholstery next and began by tearing out both the front and back seats.

Now whoever reupholstered the seats before did not do a very good job. The cheap naugahyde was pulled WAY too tight and was tearing at every hog ring. Also the seams and folds were sloppy. So I start to take the pieces apart and set them aside to use as a pattern. Ive decided that after being a professional costume designer in my previous life that I would tackle the reupholstering job myself. A decision to which many respond with a skeptical "Really?!? Have you ever done it before?". Well, no, but after looking at the previous work, I cant believe that I could do worse. I actually am not doubting my skills as much as I am doubting the heartiness of my sewing machine.

Taking the seats out was no big deal and other than a few mummified spiders, there were no unexpected surprises....but when I finally get down to undressing the bench seat, I discover the original black and white hounds tooth factory upholstery! Fricken' Sweet! Even though it is tattered and torn and cannot be used, its still pretty cool to see this 50 year old fabric peeking out from beneath the padding. I cut out a small bit to keep and tossed the rest. As I look at all of the pieces at my feet I begin to wonder if Ive bit off more than I can chew, but "live and learn" right? After all, I bought this car as a "do-it-myself" project and how cool will it be to say that I did in fact "do it"...so for now, Ill keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.

Recently I recieved a coupon for a wheel alignment at a "brakes" shop for $40. My 2000 Tiburon was getting a bit shaky on the highway so I thought I would go in. As I dont have a fancy lift for my car and it would take me quite a bit longer than the 20 minutes that I would wait for them to do it, I figured it wasnt a bad deal. My passenger side brake was making some noise, so I casually asked them to check it out while it was on the lift. 30 minutes later the guy comes in with a long list of "problems" that my car was having. Seized brake caliper, paper thin brake pads, 3 hoses that needed replacing, etc etc....all for a grand total of $780!!!! What!? I came in for a $40 job and now youre telling me I need to spend almost $800 bones?!? The salesman continued on with his schpiel, making it seem as if my car would burst into a ball of flames if I left the parking lot. Having always been a skeptic of salesmen, but not being an automotive expert just yet, I called my gearhead boyfriend for confirmation of these issues. My boyfriend promptly said "get the hell out of there", and I paid for my alignment and left, supposedly taking my life in my hands, and hoping my car would make it home.

Once home, we jacked up the car and removed the tires for a closer look. The brake pads were in bad shape but not "paper thin". The brake caliper did seem like it was seized, as we couldnt get the piston to turn back into the housing...but after a few minutes we remembered the emergency brake was on (duh) and after turning the brake off, the piston screwed down just fine (a trick I suspect that they may use to "prove" that its frozen..."see, we can hardly turn it"). With a little lubricant, $30 worth of new brake pads from the local parts store, and the scraping of some of the back east rust, she was good as new. Wow. My bill went from almost $800 to $40 in one afternoon, now Im pissed! Was it because Im a woman? Was it because the look of horror showed on my face when he was explaining the "dangerous" state my car was in? Was it because most people arent educated about their vehicles and have no idea what things cost or how easy some things are to do yourself?

This incident gave me a whole new appreciation for the "do-it-yourself" mechanics out there, and for the information that I am learning by working on my own car. It also reinforces my opinions regarding vocational tech programs in high schools and how cutting them is a REALLY bad move. Ive decided that I will always do my own investigation of mechanical problems, and learn as much as I can about my vehicle, before jobbing it out to another potential financial rapist who was just waiting to prey on a seemingly "unknowing" customer, and a woman at that! Ive also decided that my future children will not be suckers. I plan on serving them with many "quality" hours with their grandpas and uncles who know a thing or two about cars, so that they will not become victims to these scams. Maybe they should demonstrate a certain level of competence with common mechanical problems before I will allow them to own and drive a car? Hell, maybe all of us should. As long as people remain ignorant, the vultures will continue to feast.