Misadventures in an Opel

In order to see the surrounding area, we needed wheels. The on available set was my friend's brother's car. Calling this POS a car was generous indeed. The thing was about 20 years old and some serious issues with, well, going. It was actually okay for the first part of the day, we were able to drive around for a while to a couple of the different site I had wanted to see, then we cruised into town for a little while.

So far, my friend's brother's warnings were looking to be over-stated. The car had behaved itself well enough. Until that it is, we decided to go home. After a little shopping at an antique store, we got back into the car to leave. It wouldn't start. Nope. That is until I got into the driver's seat to try, of course it started for me. I was feeling pretty smug at that point, but that lasted for about 3 blocks when the car stalled.

We had stopped at an intersection when the car decided it didn't want to go any more and no matter who tried to start the car, it just wouldn't. After a few cycles of the lights, the guy behind, either in frustration or just to be helpful, helped us push the car through the intersection to the less busy side. We sat there for a good ten minutes fighting with the car.

Finally, I figured out how to get the car going. Turn key, smash gas to the floor. Hold gas to the floor, put in gear, GO! Anything less than that it would stall. We decided it would be better if I drove home, I had more experience and didn't have to sit on a pillow to see over the wheel.

Driving through town with a car that stalled every time I stopped was an interesting experience to say the least. In order to keep the car running took concentrated effort to brake, clutch, rev the engine, and still steer. I didn't seem to have enough appendages to coordinate all of that at once. If it did stall, it was the same thing over again, turn key - hold gas to the floor. I am not sure how many driving laws I broke on the way back or how many people thought I was a nut when I didn't slow down for corners on the very narrow roads, but I did enjoy driving the hell out of that little car.

I did manage to get it back without crashing, driving into a field, or otherwise mangling the car. I think that was good enough for me. My friend seemed happy to be back in one piece though.

After that, we used my friend's mother's car. Another Opel, but at least this one behaved itself and didn't give us any grief.