So.
I've had it. TFrog is in bad shape, and I can't let it suffer any more. As it is, I get the hurky-jerky starting up in first, especially when the car's warmed up. But I've been routinely skipping 2nd gear, going right to 3rd from 1st.
While this has greatly increased my fuel efficiency, it's no longer fun. The cold weather is coming, so it was time to bite the bullet and drop the car off at yet another transmission shop.
By all accounts, this is a good one. I drove out last night, with daughter following behind. (Naturally, TFrog always drives much better when it's on the way to the shop. It's a weird phenomenon.) Parked the car out front of the shop, filled out an envelope and sealed the keys inside. Envelope went into the night drop.
Daughter thought it best that I drive her car home (it was after dark, and the roads were unlit and winding - hey, I don't mind). So I got in, and turned the key. Dead battery.
DAMNIT. I had just dropped the keys to my own car in the slot, and now my "ride" was dead. (Why, o why, did daughter turn the car off, anyway?)
Eh, it only cost $30 for a jump and only a 15 minute wait. But still, it's one of those REALLY ANNOYING events that should never happen in the first place. I blame myself. I wasn't paying attention to daughter's car (previuosly my wife's), and that battery was original Motorcraft equipment (a 1999 Mystique).
So. TFrog's only got 183,000 miles and already has transmission problems. Princess' car is only 6 years old, and already the battery is giving out.
WHY CAN'T FORD BUILD A CAR TO LAST???
dwight