00:35 Jan 11 2024
Times Read: 610
Had a light dusting of snow today. Backing up out of my drive, I see my car sitting in the extra parking spot not under the carport. That light snow on the red car. Got me thinking of my cars today. And the fun, aggravation and pure hell it has been to buy the three vehicles I have had in my life.
First- let me say that I have been very blessed with all the cars, trucks, work trucks I have driven in my time. Older trucks as my father was not a fan of the ‘fancy computers’ of the newer ones. So safe to say I learned how to drive on some of the oldest vehicles you could imagine- no power steering, air conditional, no radio, nothing electrical. Split gear shift. Clutch.
So my first new vehicle I had was an 86 Nissan 4 wheel drive King Cab pickup. I feel in love with this truck first time I saw it. And yes- all my vehicles have been brand new. Meaning they was always ordered, or moved from other dealers. Yes I was picky- but you will learn I keep a vehicle for an average of 20 years. Its worth getting what you want, and buying new for me.
My father was a big influence on the buying of my cars. We shopped, every time we was in a different town, we drove by the car lots. He wanted me to get a VW pickup--- think Fred Flinston. That was a big no to me. At age 19, I found the truck. It was on the show room at the car dealer. We went in, got a price, went home. A few days later they called, lower price. We all agree to this price- we being my parents.
So on a Saturday we drove up to buy it. Funny thing the price increased. Now remember I was 19. I had been saving for 3 years for this truck. $10,000.00. Dad said no, and he walked out of the building. I was soooooo mad I could spit nails. I drove us home and he joked later he never made the trip in such a short time. I was pissed. Thinking that was the most mad I ever was at my father. He left my truck!
So we went on, the dealer called but Dad told them he didn’t trust them now, and would not buy a bicycle from them. I didn’t care. I was driving a diesel VW Rabbit car, knew I was in it for few more years. That and it would take me a while to get over this, to even get my hopes up again.
One Saturday I was washing tarps on a flatbed. Long handled scrub brush, comet, water. Mom yelled from the office, told me to go home, get cleaned up as we was going to Lexington with my sister to get porch paint. I did not want to go, fussed I could stay home. But nope, I was to go. So off to Lexington we went after noon, when we closed. Dad wanted to eat at White Castle, brand new restaurant. We did. “Why don’t we drive down to the car lot?” he asked. I didn’t care, truly.
He was driving so we did. And what is sitting there- my truck. Chrome wheels, red, beautiful truck. Sold sign on it. We got out, Dad walked over and I went to drool really. It was perfect, just like the one I wanted. Salesman came out, keys in hand. “Want to test drive it?” I looked at him, said something along the lines of I was sure the person who owned it would not want people driving it. He said “But you own it. Your father bought it yesterday evening.”
Dad had been in the area, a few town up, and seems he stop in and found it. He got it for cheaper than the dealer wanted in the other town. And comes out that dealer had traded it for another car. YES! I drove it home that day. Sis also order her a new car at the same time. So win win.
Home to a bank loan, but Mom paid for it to be licensed, taxes. Dad had put the down payment down to keep it overnight. That is how I came to own my pickup that I drove for 24 years. It got called Little Red. As we had a bigger work truck that was red, so Little Red.
Now we go into 2nd vehicle. Should of know it wouldn’t be easy. Really didn’t need it but my Mom car had transmission issues and she didn’t drive that much. Problem is she could not get into my truck. So I took the step and bought a car. This was in 2004. My truck was starting to show its age, so it was nice to have a newer car, more dependable as I drove a lot at night for work on country roads.
Using the same of pricing- I got the best price, went to our local dealer one town over, and said- match it, I’ll buy it from you. They did. Of course it was not on the lot, but in state 650 miles away. Asked them if they bring it in on truck- said no, they would get someone to drive it. Well I barked at that as that is a lot of the breaking in miles. So the dealer and I agree I would drive up the trade, pickup my car and bring it back.
Friday night- we came down to the car lot, check in hand. Now I know the check is cold, but I had called the bank *also local owned* and told them I would come up on Monday and get the loan to cover it. I had the money, it was just shifting it around. They said fine, would stand the check as good.
Got there- and the dealer called to check the funds. Nope, cold check. I said let me talk to them- as it was a branch, they are not aware of the main branch approval. And the main branch is closed till Monday. So I am upset, dad is peeved, but we said we would just come back next weekend. Warn the car might be gone by then- dad told him to call the owner of the dealship. Tell him who was buying it. The salesman just gave Dad a look. Mind you- we was both just off work, dirty. I really think the guy did not believe us.
But he called the manager, who called the owner. “Of course I know who that is. Give them what they want.” Not like we hadn’t done jobs for them for years. So we picked up the trade in car, to drive and pick mine up. It was a Cadillac pickup. Oh man- Dad feel in love with it. My car? 19,000.00 This pick up was double if not more. But did not stop my dad from loving it. As he said it was the fanciest car he ever been in. Not really as my mother was a Cadillac lover- owned 3 herself, cars. But that pickup? Stole my dad’s heart.
Yes- the Cadillac cars came from this dealer. So off we drive, in this mega expensive pickup as they held a cold check. *Laughs* You got to love buying vehicles with me. Next morning before 4 am, we are off. Got to the dealer, picked up my car. Dad had not really been involved in picking this car out- put it was a Toyota Matrix. 4 wheel drive. One- he liked the red color. Something we had in common. 2- it has a CD player, and power windows, and an Automatic… wow. Fancy as he said, but not the pickup fancy. When I knew he approved.
We came home in a snow storm. He flat out refused to believe this little car was 4 wheel drive, and when we arrived home, he wanted to take it out in the back lot of the buildings, do some spins, fun. Nope- after its in my name, we can. We did, month or so later. He loved how it handled. Drove it to the dealer the next day, left it coal dust, snow, salt covered for them to clean and get the paperwork ready. And to get my check cleared.
I still drive that car today. While the air conditional isn’t the best, and it has a issue with low gear, I love that car and is the one this morning covered in the snow. My little Sassy, named as dad said the car looked all sassy.
Now we have the last one. I have always wanted a Subaru. Dad did not want one as no local dealer for repairs. No help this time from Dad as he had passed by now. But I did bring in a friend who buys cars every few years, trade ins. So I order this SUV, and have to say I got all the bells. Tailgate opens, computer this, computer that… I could picture my dad rolling over in his grave. But as I keep a car for over 20 years, this should be the last new car I will buy. If I buy another one- be used.
So of course I have to order it. But seems they have it on a ship, and they snag it for me. So a month later- got the call it was in. Went to pick it up and the man showed us outside to show how the key thingy worked. He leads us to a car, talking this and that. I looked at my friend, and she looked at me. “Can we use my car if we doing a lesson.” “This is your car.” “No- that is blue. I ordered red.” It’s a wine color- but they call it red. He looks at me like I am kidding. We look at him like “You fucking serious?”
Paper work was done, we was going outside to get in it to drive off… and all that had to be canceled. As they ordered my car again. And another month. But I did get a discount. So this morning as I started my SUV, heated seats warming, heater going. I got in, could plug up my phone for music, maps, all that. I backed up, seeing my 2004 car that I try not to use when it’s really cold as its not best heater. And I can’t prewarm it up as I am still in the house. Yes, I’m spoiled.
I called her Vixen. As the computer crap just pissed me off till I learned it. And keeping the sexy names going. :)
What would my parents think? My mother would of be proud I spent the money, got a nice safe comfortable SUV. Dad? He would of laughed at the blue one, then he would of just fussed at the price. But really, deep down, he would of said I earned it. Because I did. The early predawn work days, the long hours, the heat and cold. The laying on my back getting the spare tire out or hitting the box to try and get the 2 speed to work, the dangers we all faced on the roads. At my age- he would want me to be safe. So the $28,000.00 he would not have barked too much at. Just as he did Mom’s nice cars. If you work for it- you should enjoy it as long as you don’t over spend. Investment really- since I keep them so long. Treat them right.
Since it is a 2019 and has less than 40,000 miles on it- like I said-- can see me driving it for 20 more years, be in my mid 80’s. This one isn’t a ‘work’ vehicle so not the miles the other ones got built up over the years.
But makes me wish Dad had lived- to see if he liked it as much as the Cadillac pickup. Sure he would not have, but would been fun to ask him. And to take Mom for a drive to a local place, we always went to on our first drive alone.
Anyway- buying cars always a fun time for me it seems. So you need me to go with ya to buy a car, let me know. lol
COMMENTS
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CuRsEdToDaRkNeSs
01:14 Jan 30 2024
LMAO! Yeh, because we've not heard it all right?