Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Friday, August 10, 2012

Saga of a Sale









I've been thinking about a new car for the last two years. Seeing 100,000 miles roll past on the odometer made me figure it's likely that costly repairs lurk right around the corner.

Hubby has been resistant. He insisted that our car could go on much longer (perhaps to infinity and beyond) and we didn't even need to consider a purchase.

In recent months after plenty of arguments debate, he agreed it was time to pull the trigger...on a vehicle that will soon undergo a major makeover in 2013. So of course, we wanted the 2012, which has become more scarce than hen's teeth (and that's pretty scarce!).

Long story short, after many days of visits and phone calls prompting a salesman to search multiple locations throughout the Midwest looking for just what we wanted, the poor man finally tore out a handful of his own hair and begged...

"We'll give you an extra $500 off on a new car if you buy it from our lot...please!"

It's hard to refuse an offer like that.

We now have a new vehicle sitting in the garage. It's not exactly what I wanted, but close enough.

Funny thing. I had tears in my eyes when I left my old girl behind and drove off in the new car. It felt almost like I'd abandoned a long time friend. Over the years our car took us to our children's sporting events, to college visits, to agility and flyball classes, hauled materials for humane society special events, and took us to wonderful vacation spots. She moved kids in and out of college dorms and helped me bring home baby Indy and baby Bogey, not to mention a few foster critters through the years. She took me to my mother's funeral and my daughter's wedding and was a faithful member of the family for well over 10 years.

Gosh, is it weird to get so sentimental over a car?

15 comments:

Donna Volkenannt said...

Hi Pat,
Earlier this spring I got traded in my van for a car. I love it. Even though I had special memories of traveling in the van, like you did in your car, it was time for some new wheels.
Hope you make many more memories with your new car--sounds like you got a great deal!
Donna

Fireblossom said...

No. I would feel the very same way. I have only ever had one brand new car in my life, but oh how I loved that car. It was a red 1987 Ford Escort. It lasted ten years and drove it until it literally just wouldn't go any more. I still miss it. It was like a part of me.

Unknown said...

We just lost our trusty beast and we felt a bit sad too. So maybe we are just both sad. I know think about the fun times when I was sick in the wellies. sick in the handbag and the best ever sick on my peeps lap. They all shouted but the dear beast forgave me. Vroom vroom somewhere where unwanted cars go dear friend. have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly

Tea in Texas said...

I just happened to come by this morning and read your comment on selling and buying a car. I have the same sadness and the excitement of a new car! The sadness was from a red Buick my Daddy gave us. It's sad to see it go for Daddy is gone and so is the Buick dealership where he bought Buicks for over 40 years. My husband and I are now Ford enthusiasts for our red Expedition has taken us over 100,000 miles on many vacations, antiquing journeys, taking my son to college and visiting him. This summer we traveled 6,000 miles to Oregon along the west coast and back with no major repairs and just up keep! We love the Expedition and now have a new red Explorer with all the bells and whistles and some we are still discovering but the old Expediton is still my favorite!

Thanks, Pam

Two French Bulldogs said...

New car, stress, buyers remorse, happy
Good luck
Benny & Lily

Sketching with Dogs said...

It's strange how cars can get you like that. We are almost the same milage with ours - eek. Everytime hubs says 'this isn't going to last much longer' it strikes fear in my heart, lol.
Enjoy your new one!
Lynne x

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Awwwwwww there are always so many GOOD memories associated with a Faithful Vehicle.
SO What are you gonna NAME the new one?? I vote fur FRANKIE.

Lynn said...

Lovely memories about the trips in your car. I don't think it's weird at all...

Ryker said...

Yes, you do have a lot of good memories attached to that old car. I have never owned a car for more than six years so I have not experienced that. It is so important for me to have a reliable car in the winter here that I tend to replace them with newer models more frequently than most. Will be doing that again in the Spring.

An English Shepherd said...

No I think lots of people get very attached to their cars :-)

Tammy said...

I've always done the same thing. It feels just a teeny bit like losing a pet.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

No, not weird at all! I've named my cars (the current one is Flossie). :)

Mary Horner said...

We may be getting a new car this week, not terribly sentimental about the car we have now, but others in the past have made me sad to see them go!

Lassiter Chase and Benjamin said...

We don't think it's silly to get attached to a car. Mommy celebrate's her car's birthday.

Pup Fan said...

Congrats on the new car!

I totally understand how you feel about saying goodbye to your old car though. I've felt that way before about cars, apartments, etc. It's not so much the object, but all of the memories attached to it...