The Subaru was diagnosed with having a failing radiator. “Forget driving to Chicago,” the mechanic at Hal’s Autos explained. “That thing won’t make it across the state line in its current condition.” The Subaru was a foreign car, he said, which made parts difficult and costly to acquire. The whole thing, including labor, would set me back around $300, which would be a significant blow to my meager savings. I was out of my depth when it came to cars, so I telephoned my father for advice. He was beside himself. “Three hundred dollars? For a radiator?” he said. “That’s…