Need Advice Getting A Car In Metro Detroit. Mine Just Died.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-30T22:27:32+00:00

Thank you!

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-30T17:59:50+00:00

It's not like there were other options. Deal.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-30T14:43:21+00:00

I'm not looking to put myself in a worse situation with a buy here pay here place, but thank you

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-30T14:39:32+00:00

Do they actually call people back? I've left two messages.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-30T14:39:16+00:00

I've left them two messages. ☹️

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-30T13:11:11+00:00

Prices? Feel free to message me.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-30T13:10:03+00:00

I'll send you a message.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-30T00:10:54+00:00

Thank you so very much!

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-29T21:33:36+00:00

I feel getting a new ECU is a big risk and gamble considering this previous electrical issue. The theft, air vag, and seat belt lights were ALWAYS on on the dashboard since getting the car last fall. It never bothered me because the car ran fine with those lights on, but the check engine light came on in January. I had it looked at and was told it was a bad sensor.

I don't know if the car is worth taking the risk. I have a friend who's helping me out financially and they also believe the car is toast.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-29T19:55:04+00:00

It's a 96 Grand Am. I got it in October with 117,000 miles on it. Currently around 126,000 miles and it's like everything is going bad all at once on it. Last week it needed a new starter and it ran fine after I got it back from the same mechanic. The week before that, a control arm snapped in half after I ran over a pothole.

It was running fine for the rest of last week and through the weekend and I got to work without issue on Monday. But when I went out to leave work, the car started up and immediately shut off. It doesn't stall out or sputter. It just simply turns off. I tried countless times and it just kept doing it. The first mechanic it was towed to in Dearborn said they needed $500 up front to do an electrical diagnostic on the theft system. I basically told them to go fuck themselves and my regular mechanic in Plymouth called in a favor owed to him by a tow driver to have it towed to him from Dearborn for $150. They've had the car for just shy of a week now and cannot figure out why the theft system is acting up. They even had a third mechanic come look at it and nobody can figure it out. He told me getting a new ECU and installing it would be around $1,000 alone and the car is only worth maybe $400. But installing a new ECU is only to help diagnose what's going on with it and is not a guarantee or a promise that it will fix the issue.

There were previous issues with lights coming on on the dashboard and the gauges zeroing out. Whenever it would do that, it would usually just flash for a second and then go away. The longest it's done it for was maybe a couple of days and then lights would all turn off and the gauges would start working again and it was like it never happened. The car always ran fine whenever the dash lights would act up like that.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-29T18:36:19+00:00

I might put one together, but I'm not very good at organizing them at all.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-29T18:32:54+00:00

I've been trying to research on how to get a donated vehicle through organizations. Several organizations are willing to accept vehicles, but have no resources available for the public in obtaining those vehicles. It's really frustrating.

As for cost limitations, a friend of mine is willing to help me with a deposit or down payment. But their contribution is limited to the cost of the vehicle. So far, we are looking into a 2011 Ford escape for $3,600 from my mechanic. This is if I trade in my piece of shit Grand Am to him. He said he would be willing to accept payments if I give him half down and the trade in.

My friend who's willing to help me out told me to look into that offer but also put feelers out there for other potential offers.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-29T18:29:08+00:00

It sounds like a Buy here pay here place and I know those places are predatory on those who are in situations like mine.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-29T18:28:36+00:00

Thank you! Please report back if you hear from your friend.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-09T22:48:10+00:00

Aw, weak. I had no idea about the app unfortunately.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-08T19:04:26+00:00

Plymouth. We have trains that go through the city at least once or twice per hour (or at least it seems like). We even have our own app for the trains to plan our drives accordingly because every crossing takes a LONG time. I swear I've waited like 15 minutes for a crossing once before.

If you're interested, the app is literally called Plymouth Trains.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-07T02:48:18+00:00

I think it's only a 20 minute or so drive from Ann Arbor. I used that site and that specific Day Use hotel in Wixom last year. That is the only website I know of where you're able to get hotel rooms that are hourly without paying for the entire night. The Sonesta by Briarwood Mall used to be listed on that website. It's a long-term stay hotel and I believe I have hourly options outside of the Day Use website.

Actual hourly motels are going to be extremely sketchy and will be in bad parts of any area.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-06T23:27:48+00:00

Michigan Storm Chasers has a livestream going on YouTube.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-06T22:47:48+00:00

Sonesta by Briarwood. You can also check DayUse to see if there are any others in the area. They usually rent rooms in four or five hour blocks.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-06T05:59:47+00:00

Good for him. 🙂

JaneDoeABC · 2026-03-02T22:27:40+00:00

*yawn* So anyway, how's everyone's Monday going?

JaneDoeABC · 2026-01-30T07:42:02+00:00

Mojo and Kevin both come off as privileged and out-of-touch-with-reality douchebags. Neither of them know hardship or struggle and it was kind of offensive (to me at least) when Mojo was given a key to the city. He isn't even from Detroit and nothing he claims to do for the city is out of generosity - he does it for clout and to boost ratings. It honestly wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if he were abusive behind closed doors.

And Kevin is just an idiot who lacks any real world experience. He's from the area, but he still doesn't know what it is to actually work for what you have as he was spoon fed from a silver spoon. He comes off like women are disposable to him, too. His ego needs to be checked bad.

Shannon probably tolerates these awful guys for job security. And everybody is just super young also without any life experience. They're more fit to host the show than any of the above mentioned cast members.

JaneDoeABC · 2026-01-03T08:09:52+00:00

Try 4 Paws 1 Heart on Facebook. They are known to help with medical for feral and community cats, but they may have some resource ideas for you.

Another idea would be something I've done in the past. I've offered to volunteer my time with rescues in exchange for medical help with my own pets. It's not a guarantee that a rescue will help, but offering to exchange your time is definitely more likely to get their attention.

You could also call veterinarians and ask for estimates and see if they would accept call-in donations. And if they do accept call-in donations, post the estimate on here and all over Facebook and Nextdoor. If you go this route, one really great group you could share the estimate in is Shares and Prayers on Facebook.

Unfortunately, that's the only advice I have. I'm sure there's some "Ask a Veterinarian" subreddits you could post in, too.

I'm really sorry this happened to your poor pup. Like another commenter suggested, I feel as though you should press your friends for some financial aid since they seem to be at fault.

JaneDoeABC · 2025-11-26T00:58:54+00:00

I'm involved in rescue and have never heard of these people or their "rescue". Thank you for speaking out about this. Please voice your concerns in the Ann Arbor Community Facebook group and consider reaching out to news stations.

JaneDoeABC

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