Today I wasted the morning on the shoulder along Interstate-30 in Little Rock.
My 20-something daughter was in her car with her boyfriend driving home at around 2:00 am when her car (2008 Toyota Avalon) overheated. She pulled to the side of the Interstate and the engine died. Around 3:00 am, she tried adding some antifreeze she had in the trunk, but no joy starting the engine. She texted me (asleep at the time) and called one of her friends to come get her.
This morning, I saw the text. So my daughter, her boyfriend and I went to see if we could add some more coolant and get the car started. BUT when we got there, the car was gone. And there was a pile of her stuff and broken glass where her car had been.
I called the Little Rock police. They transferred me to the State Police, that told me a State Trooper found the car vandalized and had a towing company take it to their impound lot. We took photos and collected her stuff. Strangely, her boyfriend found a large piece of plumbing pipe in the pile that would have been perfect for busting out car windows. I kept that pipe.
My daughter cried a lot because there were things in her car precious to her. But there was nothing of any real value other than a charging base and four controllers for a game console. The console itself was not left in the car, so who knows if the thieves even took the accessories that were there? I imagine most everything will be in the car when we get to it. I called the wrecker company, but it will be Monday before we can see about getting the car towed home.
I imagine my part of this adventure will be around $300 to pay two towing bills and any impound fees. And that will only get me a 2008 Avalon with what is likely blown head gaskets and a broken window. Depending on the damage from the vandalism, I may be able to get a few hundred dollars from the insurance company beyond the deductible. But we will have to see. A used Avalon engine installed will be about $2,000. Or around $750 for repair parts, head machining, fluids and the rest if I do the work myself. I doubt I will do that. I don't have time. But I can grab a window at a local salvage yard. They are relatively cheap and install that myself.
The only good part of this is that I own WAY too many vehicles. So my daughter will have her choice of "rolling stock" for the time being.
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