My husband’s car was stolen last Monday night. It’s a ten year old Civic, which is very popular among car thieves. Who knew? Having a car stolen is a surreal experience. My man woke me up at six, after he’d gone outside to get the paper:
“Honey, when you went to buy milk last night, did you park the Civic somewhere?”
“Park the Civic somewhere? No, I took the Outback. The Civic was in the driveway when I got home around 11:30.”
Um, not any more. Someone had made off with it. My husband’s a champ, he was incredibly calm and cool about the whole thing. The police sent someone over, we called the insurance and picked up a rental car, all before eight am. I learned that thieves love ten year old civics; they’re popular with street racers because they’re easy to soup up. This, you can believe, gave me a whole new perspective on our humble red 1998 civic.
Well, the car’s back, and I had to fetch it myself. The police found in Thursday. They’d previously informed me that they can give you about half an hour to come claim the car, and if you can’t make it, they’re forced to impound the car at your expense. Fair enough, I thought. The police are busy and can only hang out so long guarding my crappy stolen car. Luckily I have an awesome friend who willingly accompanied me to a crime scene, let me share her babysitter so I didn’t have to bring my five year old son along, and made herself late for an appointment when the whole thing took longer than anticipated. Where would we be without our girlfriends? Thanks again, T!
The car was parked in the carport of a seedy apartment complex in Rose Park, a little the worse for wear, smoky, cigarette burned, dash ripped up, stereo missing, half-eaten burrito and stinky gym bag inside. Luckily after I got the key in about a quarter of an inch in, the car started right up and we brought it home. Our insurance makes it out as about $900 worth of damage on a $1000 deductible.
In the meantime, we’d been researching replacement cars. Yesterday, we put money down on one of these, it should be ready in June! I’m trying to view it as a lemons to lemonade situation.
Oh poop! Actually, I wish someone WOULD steal my stepdaughter’s crappy old Civic. It’s been a real lemon. We need to get a new (used) car for her, and while we’re thinking “Honda” or “Toyota”, she’s thinking “BMW” or “Mercedes” or “Saab”. Hah! And she thinks the maintenance on her Civic is a pain!
But exciting news on the new car, I’ll really be interested in finding out how you like it, since that’s something I’d consider for myself whenever I get a new car.
Holy Crow, Heather!! If someone could make lemonade out of lemons, you’re definitely the one who could do it. 🙂
What a pain! Maybe the universe was telling you it was time for a new car.
Adam’s car gets broken into all the time. It’s a 15-year old Honda Accord. Thieves love the old Hondas.
ack! how annoying! hopefully the cops will be able to figure out who the thief is/was, and prosecute. and you get a new car out of the deal! sweet.
I have a 1998 civic! Yikes, I am going to be on my guard. Sorry you had to go through the hassle.
Oh man, that stinks! At least it all kind of turned out okay.
So did they arrest the person who stole it? That would be good if one more car thief is off the road. enjoy your new, less stealable car (hopefully)
Anne in Calgary
Oh, so sorry. I live in Rose Park, and reading that made me sad. We haven’t had anything bad happen, maybe it’s a “NIMBY” thing. You don’t steal from your own neighborhood? I don’t know. We were robbed when we lived in Draper, and your post brings back all of the feelings.
I read this and then had to take my son’s friend home, and all the way there and back I was mad at the drivers, being way less forgiving of stupidity.
I’m so sorry. Did they get the guy?
My mom’s old Civic was stolen in Sugarhouse a few years ago–same deal I guess. The police also recovered it a week later, with a few thousand more miles on it. In it we found receipts from a golf course in St. George, receipts from Mexico, and lots of fast food wrappers. It was weird and awful.
On the other hand, the car you’re getting sounds amazing (not that it makes it any better to have had your car stolen).
So are you going to get both the new cars in the garage now? I hope the subaru doesn’t get bumped to the outside. Hubby finally cleaned our garage so we can get both inside. I am sorry about the car I can’t believe they found it. Way to go slcpd. Lemons out of lemonade thats our motto right. Are you getting a fun color? Do you fill it up at home?
-h