Someone else's problem now...

For those of you (I think there might be 4 now) who read this silly blog, you'll remember when I wrote about how I disliked our man van.  If you don't, no worries.  I wouldn't want to waste your time on such a stupid car.

 

See, I care so little about this thing that I didn't even give it the "medium sized" pic. honor.  It only gets a small pic!

Anyway, a long time ago, a great friend of ours made the comment that we "shouldn't love anything that doesn't love us back".  Since then, I use this phrase quite frequently and you know, it works!  I used to be one that "felt bad" for thinking this or feeling that, over the dumbest things.  Now, I simply apply this phrase, and life has gotten much less complicated! 

Now, when dealing with objects such and cars, houses and inanimate objects, I think of them as a tool to use.  If you can use it, use it.  If you can't, sell it!  It's even better if that tool can be used to get a better tool.  Which is what the man van did for us.   So for that, I say "Thank you Man Van...you did serve us a little bit, but not nearly as much as we served you!"

Since we owned this van (that was the only redeeming part of it) and since it was actually still worth something (shocker), we decided to use this "tool" to get a better one.  Not newer, (we don't buy new cars) just better for us and our needs.  Needs?  What needs you wonder?  Oh, little needs like towing our very small trailer.  Like having doors that work.  Like not wondering if the transmission will fail us.  Like fitting our long leg-ed troops in.  Those needs.  In fact, the ONE time we tried to use the man van for towing our trailer with rocks in it...it failed miserably!  The hitch was too low to the ground and we couldn't even move it without it dragging on the ground! 

Mini vans + trailer hitch = pathetic!!   Don't even try it!!

So, I went looking, and looking, and looking.   I spent days looking, researching, checking and rechecking info.  I love the internet (and edmunds.com) for searches like this!  I didn't want to "buy wrong" again.  I knew exactly what the man van was worth and I knew what we needed to get in return.  Dave and I went to many places, drove several cars and then one day...I found it.  Right under my nose (or at least in Provo).  Note to self: when looking for used cars, stay away from the big dealers.  You will get more bang for your buck at the smaller "Ma and Pa" type places.  We found this guy who goes to the California auctions because the cars are much nicer.  And he doesn't waste his time on junk.

The "new" car has about the same miles on it as the man van did but it is in much better condition and fit for our family and our NEEDS!  It's a 2003 Chevy Suburban.  A good old Suburban.  We've had one before and really liked it.  This car had ONE owner, came from the California desert which means no rust, and is in great shape.  The gas mileage is only about 3-4 MPG less than the man van.  The registration is less (it's older) and the insurance is less too.  Our man van was used for a very nice down payment. So, thanks again man van, it's been real!  NOT!

"I can pull things!!!"

"Did I mention, I can pull things?"