ok why does everything cost money?

so went to get my smog checked, $30 regardless if pass or fail failed, obviously by the title, and it’s because error code P0012 - “A” Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded Bank 1. just great because I diagnosed this issue months and months ago and found that it’s not only a common problem on the Miata NB, but also very hard to find the root cause…

ok so after an hour dooming and researching outside because I can’t sell my car without passing smog. I found the California CAP (consumer assistance program) which can help cover costs of repair up to X amount if I qualify. well I’m on CalFresh so I do, but it’s a joint ownership so I’m worried my mom will disqualify mimi for it. sighs.

anyways I went to a cafe to collect my thoughts bc the smog check place said it’d be $150 for diagnosis.

I called Fred’s Warehouse and didn’t really know what to say tbh. kinda out of my field of expertise. are they able to diagnose over the phone? is there even a point telling him my error code? like what?? anyways he was a bit stern but nice and straightforward, said that I should check my oil as a first measure since it can affect the camshaft position. that I knew but I guess I got overwhelmed by the tens and tens of other issues that could cause this error code on mimi. also he said $175 for diagnosis, pain.

so I was like okay, let’s oil change mimi myself bc I should learn anyways and I like doing DIY. but tell me why miata owners say the oil/filter the most inconveniently located place for NB?! also I don’t want to hurt myself, hurt the car, and have a mess to deal with like waste oil. so yeah, it was not worth my time right now as I’m a college student without much time nor tools. sooooo, looked at places to get my oil changed and I was like might as well get my leaking tire fixed.

so tires. I called DC Tires bc a AAA mechanic brought gabi and mimi there once to get a new tire and apparently a really good experience + good price. they were indeed nice and said they got nothing that old in stock, that being 24 years old model. fair. they recommended me to buy a tire online and they can switch it for me. as for oil change, they didn’t do it but referred me to an oil change shop, which would top off my other fluids, too. not sure what other fluids there are tbh. i know there are other fluids, but how good is that deal persay.

anyways, my smog test place also did oil changes and they were nice. $60 was their quote, but they told me to first check if I need a top-off or an oil change, and that I shouldn’t do an oil change if unnecessary. hence why I like that place in general, solid advice. so, I guess that’s the next step. something about a dipstick and oil level. sighs.

the nice reprieve is that all these places (DC, Fred’s, and 15min) seemed pretty helpful and considerate and gave me tips to move towards resolving the issues I brought up w/o necessarily trying to upsell me their services. for that, I am quite appreciative, esp. given the poor reputation the mechanic/car industry as a whole has in their treatment and exploitation of the uninformed and poor.

registration apparently expiring in two days, what to do. got an exam that day, too, which I’m behind on, so that takes priority. being broke is tough. but just fyi, at least in cali, I already paid the registration fee so I won’t get charged late fees, but when my tag expires in the two days, I can technically get pulled over and get fix-it tickets, which should be resolved once I, yk, fix the problem in question. impt thing is: avoid public parking. apparently u can just get parking tickets for incomplete registration, which is the case here. sighs.

“it is expensive to be poor” - james baldwin