For the Love of Chrysler!

We got a new car recently. Well, new to us. The 2006 Chrysler Sebring. Nice car. The Mrs. drives it. In any event, on my days off, I ran around town, getting the thing fixed up. New oil, tires, wheel, and of course, the title.

Yet, when we went to get the spare key made, we were informed that the dealership had to make the key, since they put some stupid microchip in the head of it. Basically, only Chrysler can copy this key, since they have to install the chip, and without the chip, the car thinks its being stolen, and promptly locks up.

Now, seriously people, it has come to this? You know what kind of inconvenience this is? Not only does it cost $62.00 or so to get this stupid key made, but if someone is going to steal the car, it is not always through a hotwiring. Sometimes, they do have the key, (that they also stole), but they have it nonetheless. So, instead of dropping 2 bucks on a spare key, I am dropping an extra 60 to try and circumvent only one of the many myriad ways to steal a car. Not what I would consider a good investment. No wonder the car industries are in trouble.

Alas, there I am at the Chrysler dealership. I explain this situation, and after telling me the cost, they have the gall to ask if I want the remote control button to open the car from afar. Its an extra 40-50 bucks or so. No thanks, I don't have lube, and this is already going to hurt, so just get it over with.

Here is where things get very stupid. They lead me to a very fancy lounge waiting area while they are busy making the small item they are overcharging me for. They have a copious selection of magazines to read, plush leather couches, a snack bar, TV, and fresh brewed coffee. The place feels like a Holiday Inn without room service or an ice bucket. The air conditioning is even on.

I figure I will at least try and get my money's worth by shoving as many pastries in my mouth and downing as much coffee as I could. I would look like a chipmunk, but dammit, for 62 bucks and some change, I don't give a rat's ass. I am entitled now dammit. So as I am sitting there drinking my coffee (which was suprisingly good) and eating a pastry, I was flipping through ESPN magazine when suddenly, I hear Barak Obama's voice on the TV (this is, of course, not surprising).

However, it was what our President had to say that damn near made me throw up 4 pastries and 2 cups of coffee. He was announcing (and mind you, this is a live broadcast) that Chrysler was going to declare Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in the coming hours today.

O' Really?

I calmly set my magazine and coffee down on the nice cedar end table and calmly walk over to the door leading back to the garage. I poke my head out and find the guy who helped me earlier. I shout that I really need that key in a hurry. When he asked why I was suddenly in such a hurry, I couldn't help but break the news to him.

"You guys just declared bankruptcy. It was on the news."

The guy makes a face that can best be described as surprised, but not stunned, and then smiles at me. "Yea...well...um...let me go check on that for you."

I smile and shut the door. Looks like I better shove a pastry in my pocket for the road and get out of Dodge...

-Deimos