Saved some money

I am not an auto repair guy but I figured replacing a broken side mirror couldn't be too bad. The Ford dealer was going to charge $310.00 just for the part plus I don't know how much for the labor. But the worst part was I couldn't get it fixed for almost a month.

I backed into a column in the parking ramp at work. Tore off the driver side mirror unit. It is heated and motorized.

Thanks to the internet I found an auto parts shop in St. Paul and multiple YouTube videos on the steps to replace the unit.

The used part was $110.00 and it took less than 1/2 hour to complete!

It isn't perfect. There are some scratches on the black cover and turns out the motor doesn't adjust up and down. But it adjusts in and out and the mirror moves manually up and down. Best of all it isn't going to fall off or flop around.

Before - mirror cracked up

Before - bungees holding it in place

After - it isn't in primo condition with some scratches

After - nice mirror

Ford Fusion Hybrid

I haven't written a vehicle review in a long time. I had the occasion to rent a vehicle last weekend while visiting my sister in Virginia.

I picked a Ford Fusion Hybrid from the National Car rental aisle at DCA National Airport. I like renting  from National because you get to pick your vehicle.

It was after midnight and I really just wanted to get to my hotel in Herndon, VA. I own a hybrid Escape so am accustomed to hybrids. However, right away I was a bit confused because there isn't a shifter. The normal drive, neutral and reverse are operated by a knob on the console between the front seats. Once I figured that out, the large rear camera screen with directional guides was very helpful getting out of the cramped parking garage.

On the highway I noticed that the Fusion Hybrid goes into electric mode at any speed. My 2011 Escape Hybrid will not go electric over 45 mph. The transition between electric, gas and combo in the Fusion is virtually undetectable.

The Fusion Hybrid has to be the most technologically advanced vehicle I have ever driven. There are lots of bells and whistles for sure but they don't interfere with enjoying the driving experience.

I had some difficulty understanding the radio but that ended up being because I thought all the controls were on the touch screen but they are not. Connecting my phone for handsfree communication was very simple. That is helpful when traveling.

Ford has announced they are ending automobile production in the United States. I find that very strange but I hope they take the technology in the Fusion Hybrid to the next generation of SUVs.

Spectacular moon

The only good thing about getting up at 4am to get to the airport in time for a 7 am flight was seeing a super bright moon shining in a slightly cloudy sky. It was a beautiful site.

My kitchen is torn up for the new counter top install on Friday. So there was no fixing breakfast at home.  I was expecting long lines at airport security now that the holidays are over.  But the lines were shorter than they've been in a long time.  I grabbed a coffee at my mid terminal Carabou - the one with the super hot coffee. Igot some yogurt and two hardboiled eggs at one of the new CIBO merchants on concourse G.

This week I've rented a Ford Fusion with Sync.  I'm going to test the portability of MySync