It was the labor on the radiator that was going to drive the cost up, Bobert.

Well, the Taurus is definitely toast. Yesterday Steve (my mechanic) gave me a quick and dirty rundown based on what he could see through the grill, looking under the car, and through the big gap where the hood was crumpled up. Today he finally had time to pry the hood up.

The core support is badly damaged and broken. The ac condenser is cracked. There is a hole in the radiator. Everything got shoved back toward the passenger compartment and some sort of electrical box at the back of the engine compartment is cracked and when he turned the ignition on there is a hot electrical smell and smoke. All he could say is "some kind of electrical problem" from the look he gave it, and I had already told him just to take a quick look. If we had collision on it, it would be totaled. I was already aware that it was approaching the end of it's useful life. It is headed to the salvage yard as soon as Son can get over to Steve's to clean it out.

Son wasn't hurt, Mary. Unfortunately, I think the lady he rear-ended is probably in for some back, neck or shoulder problems. When I learn that everything got shoved back a bit in the Taurus to the point that electrical box was cracked, I am not so sure I want him in something as small as a Corolla or Civic.

I guess I also don't want to fixate on a Toyota or Honda given their resale values are so high. I need to remind myself that the Subaru I bought for $4500 with 96,000 miles on it blew the engine 14 months later and cost me an additional $2000.

On the other hand, Steve is driving a Honda with 370,000 miles on it, original engine and original transmission. Of course, he is a mechanic, and a bit obsessive/compulsive.

Bobert, look for a pm asking for a bit of assistance.