I’m on the hunt. I’m on the hunt for a new car. It’s time. In fact, yesterday, on my way into work, my muffler guard just completely fell off. Rusted right away. I found out you don’t really NEED this part of your car, and it serves as a barrier to your actual muffler, but needless to say, if THAT fell off, what is next?
My car has been good to me. Purchased new when I headed off to college in 2003, I quickly packed on the miles driving back and forth to school in Ohio, adding in a side trip here and there to WVU, Canada, Ocean City and even Kentucky.
Small but efficient. And I’m OK with that. It’s good on gas, reliable in the snow and gets me from point A to point B. This isn’t to say that we haven’t had a few rough spots here and there… in fact, the spring after I got this car, I was rear-ended at a turnpike tool booth on my way back to school. Three days later, I was side-swiped by my college roomie’s Jeep. I should have known then that my little black Ford ZX2 might have a rough life.
To add to our “mishap toll” I have had 3 new bumpers in the past two years from accidents on Route 28 on my way home from work, I have had my tires replaced from running over a 2x4 full of nails, a couple battery changes in the parking lot of my work, and a tow home once. And last fall, I backed out of my garage and completely jacked my front bumper off my house. Add in a few “mysterious dings” and you have my car!
But it’s all OK – she’s still running! Clearly, as you can see in the above two paragraphs, I might not be the best car owner, but I try. My car acts as my tack trunk , filled with bridles, bits, riding boots, helmets, chaps; as my closet, with sweatshirts, jackets, extra socks and gloves; and even as my filing cabinet, with important papers and car-related documents.
I’m OK with the fact she isn’t spotless, and has more dog/horse hair than any car should. And I’m OK with the fact that I need to vacuum out the mud and hay on a regular basis. I’m OK with this. I don’t deserve a nice car – I could never drive a Lexus or my dream Porsche and treat it the way I treat my little black car. My next vehicle needs to be able to multi-task like this one does. It’s my barn-mobile, my ride to work, my errand runner.
Almost ten years and close to 120,000 miles later, I think it’s time to hang up the keys on the little black car. The scary thing is, this will be the first car I’ve bought on my own, and will be entirely my responsibility and my choice. I suppose it’s just another part of growing up – like the new house, wedding, etc.
I’m nervous about this. It’s a big decision and possibly a large chunk of money. I would love this new car to be able to wear all the hats of the little black car, but I now also have to think about kid friendly (ahh!) because my car isn’t kind to putting a car seat in and out at the moment. It has to be good on gas AND have room for my little Chasers. I would prefer a small SUV. It needs to be cute – not a box! Leather seats to more easily clean the dog/horse hair
Oh the stressors of car buying – why couldn’t you wait until AFTER the wedding?!?
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