RIP Big Green Pal (updated)

Tuesday evening, as I was driving C home from the climbing gym (and less than a mile from home), the oil light came on in my Honda Odyssey minivan. I hadn't ever seen that light come on so I took notice. I decided to go ahead and drive the rest of the way home since who really wants to abandon her car in the middle of an intersection only to find out that the warning light meant it was time for an oil change and it wouldn't have been a big deal had you not caused a 4-car pileup by blocking the stinking intersection you idiot? Once we got home, I pulled out the trusty manual and looked up "oil indicator light" and was referred to a page where I was told, in no uncertain terms, that when I see that light it means STOP YOUR CAR NOW AND CALL A TOW TRUCK, YOUR MECHANIC (he needs to go to the Bahamas as much as anyone), AND YOUR MOMMY!

Darn it. When I walked out to the garage and saw a 10" circle of oil under my old pal, I knew it was bad... very very bad.

When my loving husband returned from work, he read the manual, interpreted it much the same way I did, looked at the puddle of oil, checked the oil level ("Dipstick dry" he proclaimed), and we started contemplating our options (during which time, my Dad called about an unrelated topic but allowed me to cross off item 3 - call your mommy well, er, daddy -- and he had the same "she was a good van" tone in his voice that indicated even he, with far more car knowledge than K or I, felt like our big green pal was a goner).

Following the initial shock was, well... more shock at the cost of new (or even used) cars right now. I blame Cash for Clunkers -- I mean, some of us could really use a clunker right about now but they were all traded in on brand-spanking new cars! We've contemplated being a one-car family (and that will most likely be the short-term reality) but there are many times when it just isn't practical.

Anyway, I called our insurance company yesterday, remembering that we have towing coverage. They immediately sent over a tow truck (at "no cost to us" - such a funny thing to say... I pay the bills, ma'am) who took the van to our mechanic. He said he'd diagnose the problem for $100, so that's what's happening today. If the prognosis is as bad as we suspect, our next course of action is to sell what's left of her. We had a couple of good laughs coming up with our Craigslist ad. K came up with my favorite:

2000 Honda Odyssey. 160,000 miles. Doesn't run. Smells like cheese. Best offer.

I'm sure it will turn into a bidding war.

Update: Good news! The van isn't dead and I'm an idiot. Although we were VERY low on oil (hence the indicator light), the puddle on the garage floor was power steering fluid instead. Mr. Mechanic says the engine's fine, we're now full of oil with a new filter and an air filter, and we need to keep an eye on the power steering fluid and the Ol' Green Lady will be with us for a (hopefully long) while longer. K was heartened by the mechanic's assurance that although yes, we were idiots, we weren't AS big of idiots as many people (who ignore the indicator light for several days and end up destroying their engines). So go, check thy oil and think of me.

PS: Our other car, a 2003 VW Passat Wagon with 4Motion (I give you the full name and model because we love this car and recommend it highly despite some less than stellar reviews from other sources) is going in tomorrow for the car equivalent of a "spa day" - it involves more oil and costs more than any spa day I've ever had but I'm also less likely (but only slightly so) to rebel by konking out by the side of the road and refusing to carry around any more kids, groceries, or compost, goldang it!