The Story of Old Yeller

So, this is the car that Christian Brothers didn't fix.

We have Coley at Bankston Ford in Frisco to thank for putting the new engine in and making it run like a brand new car. Thanks, Coley, gotta give you some praise guy, you're one heck of a mechanic and we greatly appreciate how available you have made yourself to us and for your honesty.
We also have Ray Huffines Chevrolet in Plano to thank for the new engine. Not a rebuilt, a new engine at an excellent price.


Christian Brothers probably wasn't responsible for Casey's car losing the oil, or for the engine locking up, or for any damage that may have been caused as a result. There isn't anyway to tell, and I'd rather give them the benefit of the doubt than to falsely accuse. I can say that I did not appreciate the way we were treated, the many, many times they changed their mind on what they would and wouldn't do for us, for attacking my personal relationship with God because I'd contacted Corporate and the Better Business Bureau for help when they'd told me that there was nothing they'd do for me, or for condemning my right to write whatever I want, especially since every word I write is true, on my blog. Yes, Corporate had apparently became aware of my blog because they keep an eye on what is written about them on the internet...at least that's the way the head of our local Christian Brothers explained it to me as he turned his monitor on and revealed my blog on his computer in his office. As for ever hearing from Corporate regarding the letters and the faxes I'd written them, I never had any type of response from them. None.
Christian Brothers first told Casey and I that we had two options; take the car 'as is' after they lubed the locked engine generously and got the engine running, and they wouldn't charge us for the tow to get the car to their shop or for the work they'd put into it to get it running, or for a little under $1000 they'd try to repair the rod bearings, but couldn't guarantee that would solve anything. I told them I'd like a new engine put in the car and they printed off an estimate for that too for near $2500. That was the option Casey and I wanted. They told me they'd work with me to pay it off, that I could pay for it as I had it and Casey and I left there that day feeling hopeful... really hopeful.
A couple of days later they called and asked us to come in again. We went back in and they told us they'd changed their mind about putting the engine in, that it was an old car and there were other things that could go wrong with it, like tires (yeah), or the transmission, brakes, whatever. We still wanted a new engine put in and was told that if we did that, I'd have to pay for it within 90 days. So, we decided to cash Casey's saving bonds in to get the engine.
Another couple of days go by and they call and asked us to come in again. This time we're told that they will not put an engine in it, period. They told us that if we'd take the car and just go (and drop the claim against them with the Better Business Bureau) they'd give us $400, or or we could have them replace the rod bearings which may or may not fix it, and they'd knock $400 off it. Even if it didn't fix it, I'd still have to pay $696.89.
So, Casey and I were feeling like we were on some sort of roller coaster.
The next day, another call from Christian Brothers and another option. If we chose to have them repair, replace...whatever, the rod bearing and it didn't fix it, we wouldn't have to pay them anything. If it did fix it, we paid the $696.89.
By this time, we didn't trust them to do anything and frankly, just thought we'd better get the car, the $400 and call it quits before they changed their minds again.

Casey's dad got a trailer and had it hauled to where he knew of Coley, a mechanic at Bankston Ford in Frisco, who would be able to do it at the dealership and they were able to get the engine from Huffines in Plano. Everything came together great.

Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts and inquiries about Casey's car. Every time I drive this car, I'm so jealous. Katy and I were laughing about it last night, it's honestly like sitting on a big, comfy, overstuffed couch, gliding down the road. It feels like it turns with out your having to put any effort into it at all, and it's brakes are excellent. I'd much rather have this car than mine, though I love mine too. It's the exact same car, just not as old.

So, here it is, one more time, for your viewing pleasure and with much thanks and gratitude for all your concern...

Casey and his 1988 Chevrolet Caprice Classic Braugham