Written on March 26, 2008 at 4:04 pm by Jennie

And it keeps getting better and better…

Filed under Driving in France {14 comments}

RIP Renault Super 5.

The garagiste said the entire motor needs to be replaced. That would cost more than the 1200 I paid for it. So now I’m out all those euros and an automatic car. I’m so frustrated and angry and just sad. I could barely afford that car, which took four months to find. I have no idea what to do now.

I’m still trying to learn how to drive a manual, but driving in France was stressful enough with an automatic. I have absolutely no confidence that I can do it.

I still have 10 more days of work. Twenty more hour-long train rides.

Back to depending on others to take me to baby-sitting and private lessons. Back to being 12 years old and having no independence once again.

P.S. Still no internet/phone at my apartment. France Telecom accidentally cut our DSL line, and who knows when/if it will be fixed. If someone would like to search ebay or priceminister or whatever for an automatic car for me, I would really appreciate it.

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Justin

Oh no! Hang in there, and try to stay positive. Things will all work out.Learning to drive a manual is not too difficult. I had to do it when I arrived here, and basically just learned by buying a car and stalling a lot. I am not too bad now. I don’t like to drive, but I am able (heck I drove 3 hours away this weekend, and even made a quick trip in to Germany… big step!). If you make it back to Chalon in your searches I will take you out for a lesson, heck it’s a lease and I beat the heck out of the clutch as it is, so you might as well.
Justin

Oh no! Hang in there, and try to stay positive. Things will all work out.

Learning to drive a manual is not too difficult. I had to do it when I arrived here, and basically just learned by buying a car and stalling a lot. I am not too bad now. I don’t like to drive, but I am able (heck I drove 3 hours away this weekend, and even made a quick trip in to Germany… big step!). If you make it back to Chalon in your searches I will take you out for a lesson, heck it’s a lease and I beat the heck out of the clutch as it is, so you might as well.
Au Soleil Levant

Jennie, this is terrible news! Do you like Sudoku? That keeps me occupied on the train pretty well. It is so true that having a car is a major symbol of independence and adulthood. Keep trying with manual though, you never know when it might all of a sudden come together. Kind of like how it took me three years of French before I finally understood relative pronouns….
Au Soleil Levant

Jennie, this is terrible news! Do you like Sudoku? That keeps me occupied on the train pretty well. It is so true that having a car is a major symbol of independence and adulthood. Keep trying with manual though, you never know when it might all of a sudden come together. Kind of like how it took me three years of French before I finally understood relative pronouns….
Crystal

Hey there…I know how you feel..I’ve been there and I hope you start to feel better really soon. Think of all these negative things as just moments that will make you stronger and more resilient. I’ll keep my eye out for another automatic car for you Courage ma belle!
Crystal

Hey there…I know how you feel..I’ve been there and I hope you start to feel better really soon. Think of all these negative things as just moments that will make you stronger and more resilient. I’ll keep my eye out for another automatic car for you

Courage ma belle!
Here, There, Elsewhere… and

Hi Jennie,Have you tried car share? I know quite a few people who live in Annecy, work in surrounding towns (Albertville, Bonneville, Annemasse, Chambéry, Geneva…) and who car share to work…You can place an ad on internet or in the ’74 (or similar)… Good Luck
Here, There, Elsewhere… and more

Hi Jennie,
Have you tried car share? I know quite a few people who live in Annecy, work in surrounding towns (Albertville, Bonneville, Annemasse, Chambéry, Geneva…) and who car share to work…
You can place an ad on internet or in the ’74 (or similar)…
Good Luck
Linda

So sorry to hear about your car. Bad things do seem to happen in groups, don’t they?
Linda

So sorry to hear about your car. Bad things do seem to happen in groups, don’t they?
Zhu

Sorry! I’m a polite Canadian apologizing on behalf of France that makes you suffer. Spring is coming… bringing good stuffs. Hang on!(positive thoughts – at least, France is strike-free so far!)
Zhu

Sorry! I’m a polite Canadian apologizing on behalf of France that makes you suffer. Spring is coming… bringing good stuffs. Hang on!

(positive thoughts – at least, France is strike-free so far!)
dw

Sorry to hear about your run of back luck. Just 2 more days and March will be over. And you’ve only got one more month of teaching! I’m so jealous.Anyway… I’ll be in Budapest April 8-11 so a bit before you, but I’ll try and update quickly when I get back so you can see if there’s anything super-fun to do. Have fun in Berlin too, I’ve never been.
dw

Sorry to hear about your run of back luck. Just 2 more days and March will be over. And you’ve only got one more month of teaching! I’m so jealous.
Anyway… I’ll be in Budapest April 8-11 so a bit before you, but I’ll try and update quickly when I get back so you can see if there’s anything super-fun to do. Have fun in Berlin too, I’ve never been.