July 15, 2004
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That’s my car. Or at least, it was my car. Last night at 11:00, they came and towed it away. It was a very sad event. My poor car had over 250,000 miles on it and had under $1000 in repairs (except for normal maintenance) in all those miles. I thought it would go on forever. In fact, I hoped it would.
I had it for 12 years and I enjoyed every mile I ever drove in it. It was very reliable. It had one odd problem. At times, it could not idle. When I stopped at a stop light, it would die, which didn’t really matter very much because I was stopped anyway. It always started immediately when the light changed. It never even took long enough to make anyone honk at me. It also would die sometimes when I slowed down to turn a corner. I could hear it happen and would reach down and restart it. It never failed to start and the car never lost momentum.
These things did not happen all the time. The car would go several months with no problems at all. Then there would be a few days when it would die fairly regularly. This went on for 6 years or so. We had the car in many times to try and find out what caused it, but it never died for a mechanic and the computer diagnostics never showed a problem. It really did not bother me because the car always restarted.
A week ago Thursday, I was driving home from work at 8:00 p.m. when the car decided to die while I was driving in a straight line at highway speed. It would not restart. I was able to pull off the highway and someone stopped right away and gave me a ride home. Dan drove me back out to my car and it started easily then, but he has been after me for a couple of years to get a new car, and this incident provided him with a reason to insist. The car had finally done something that made me feel a little unsafe, so I agreed. Two days later, we bought this:
You can see the old car sitting over at the curb in the background. It sat there for over a week and seeing it made me very sad. I sort of felt like I had kicked a beloved pet out of the house because the new car had taken the old one’s place in the garage. I am glad it is not there for me to see anymore. We donated it to the Volunteers of America and I cried last night when they came and picked it up. I always said I was going to drive that car until it had to be towed away, and that is what happened.
On a cheerier note, this little fellow was walking around in the driveway right up next to the house a couple of days ago. He let me get within a foot of him to take this picture. I tried to explain to him that it is really not a good idea for baby birds to let humans get so close and that it is even a worse idea to hang out at houses where two cats live, but he did not seem to care.
Comments (12)
a very brave bird
I currently have a car that I hope to have for that many years…
What will they do with the car use it for parts . I hope you get many years of fun in your new car
Yes that was a brave bird
Your old car looks very well cared for. What kind was it? What is the new car?
the poor old car. and cute bird .
I suppose one day they will tow my pickup away and I too will feel sad. Like the day our first ‘used’ caddy was towed after a drunk shoved the front end to within an inch of the windshield while I was still in it.
Cocky little bird. Has he been back to hand feed?
Lovely neighborhood. You take care of your cars. I can see that. No wonder the last so long.
Sad news about the loss of your old car. It’s like saying goodbye to an old friend. I get attached to my cars too.
That is what I had to do with my last car. It had almost 200,000. It was an 88 olds. I loved that car. Donated it to the same people. At least you can feel good about it going for a great cause.
Your poor car! I know exactly what you mean about feeling like you’d kicked a pet to the curb. As much as I love my Miata I felt so bad about my Mustang just sitting there and like it felt I no longer loved it. It’s so silly I know but I felt bad too!
I still feel sad about trading my 95 Buick Riviera. it had 100,000 miles on it but was doing fine. We got a Cadillac Deville 99. It is very nice but just a little too big for me. The Buick was just right. If I ever get a few bucks ahead I may look for a used Riv. They don’t make them anymore either.
My jeep is rusted out, the exhaust is tied on with telephone wire, the battery has to be rinsed with club soda every week or so, but heh it keeps on going and anyway I haven’t got any money for a new one.
WOW, that car still looks like its in great shape, but definetely time to move on lol!!
I just got a new car too.. A PT cruiser, I’ve only had it for 2 weeks but I love it so far!
TC HUGS!!