Car Dilemma

So, I just dropped my car off at the shop because it was getting to the point where I couldn't ignore the problems anymore (mainly the fact that my brakes were starting to go). I hadn't brought it in in years because, well, I stopped really driving much about 2 years ago, and even back then it was overdue.

While the various issues are of varying importance (the brakes being the most important, with other issues like needing a clutch replacement, new belts, new struts, etc etc.), the total for all the repairs is $4600. Now, my car is a 95 Civic hatcback, probably worth less than that. Other than the current mechanical issues, the car is in apparently good shape (no structural issues, no problems with the engine itself, etc). So, my current dilemma is this: do I pay for the repairs? Or do I just pay for the really critical stuff so I can drive it home and then buy a new car?

Currently, my running favorite is the Honda Fit (sorry eingy and Seppo :P). It's cheap, it's got good fuel economy, and it is apparently actually fun to drive. But even that is about $14K~$15K. I can certainly afford it (though it puts a dent in my downpayment for a house...), but the question is - do I *need* a new car. On one hand, my Civic will likely last for another few more years. On the other hand, the car is 14 years old and has put in its time. Should I donate the old girl and get a new one? Or should I just stick with it?

Inconsequential Conspiracry Theory part 247

So, I've been using one of those Gillette Fusion razors (you know, the one that vibrates and has 5 friggin' blades) that I got as a stocking stuffer present last Christmas. To be honest, it's not *that* much of an improvement over the Mach 3, but the vibrating blade does make it feel like it's doing more...

But that's not the point of this post. Since it has a rotor inside, it does, of course, require batteries. Or, a battery, I should say. A single AAA battery is used to power the thing and it even has a little battery power indicator light built into the side to let you know when it's running low on juice. But that's where my little conspiracy theory comes into play.

After using it for a few months, the battery indicator light started flashing. A couple weeks after that, in the middle of usage, the razor started to slow down, then eventually died. Well, I was in the middle of shaving and was in the shower (I have sensitive skin, so shave in the shower) so I couldn't very well just walk out of the shower just to replace the battery. So, instead, I decided to try and take the battery out and put it back in, just for the hell of it. Weird thing happened - despite the fact that the razor had actually *died* on me, it sprang back to life and the indicator light stopped flashing.

And the razor worked without a battery replacement for another 2 months. Just the other day, it happened again - the razor slowed down, then eventually stopped. I tried the same trick again. It sprang back to life and has been fine ever since.

I could understand if the indicator light was simply meant to start flashing when it felt a significant enough drop in power from the battery or whatever, but what really weirded me out was the fact that it actually slowed down as if it was running out of power, then would stop working until I opened it up, and went through the motions of replacing the battery. Maybe Gillette has some deal with the battery companies to help boost AAA battery sales... o_O