Randy

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solitaire
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Randy
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Rossville, IN
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Human Resources

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Par For The Course

Automotive > Not-so-old-blue
 

Not-so-old-blue

Fredo posted a photo of my truck (and license plate), so you know what it looks like. I'd like to say a few words about "Old Blue".

Every now and then, I get the urge to buy a new truck. It's in my blood. My father was a car dealer, and we had new cars all the time. It was always the joke that he knew what year we went somewhere or did something by the make and model of the car he was driving at the time.

Anyway, my Dodge Dakota is an '04 with nearly 79,000 miles on it. That averages about 10-11 thousand miles a year, much of which coming from trips to Utah, Vermont, Florida, etc. And the golf course (17 miles round trip).

I love my truck, however. It's got everything I want. I've never had a bit of trouble with it (dare I say that?). It's comfortable, roomy, handy (like for hauling firewood), and reasonably gas efficient (22 mpg ave.). Plus, it's just the right size for me--not too big, not too small. Oh yes, it's paid for!!

It was rear-ended once (in 2010), but otherwise, unscathed. I take it for granted because of its reliability. So I doff my hat to a sweetheart of a truck. I plan to hang on to it for many more years.

posted on Oct 12, 2011 4:35 AM ()

Comments:

Ed finally turned in his Mazda sedan for a tax break. The a/c wasn't working and no fix worked (try that in New York traffic in August), and it had 187,000 miles on it. No one would ride with us. We got the Isuzu Rodeo, an SUV and have had it since 2002. It was a much rougher ride but I got used to it (rides like a truck, Ed said with pride ... me, teeth rattling, said, I'm so happy for you, hon). It has cost me dearly in clothes cleaning bills and private toil since the doors leak tar, you don't know when it's happening and you brush against these droppings getting in and out of the car. Time to go out there again and clean off the running boards. Yes, it was new when we got it.
comment by tealstar on Oct 16, 2011 4:29 PM ()
I rode in it, didn't I? I was wondering where the grease stains on my pants came from!
reply by solitaire on Oct 19, 2011 6:16 AM ()
I always wanted to buy a truck and back out of it.
Now too old to even think of it.
comment by fredo on Oct 14, 2011 9:00 AM ()
With no family to haul around--only wood to carry, a truck is just the thing I must have. I'll never buy a car again (oops, never say never!).
reply by solitaire on Oct 15, 2011 5:50 AM ()
I guess you caught the New England thrift, "Use it up, wear it out. Make it
do or do without." I feel the same way about my car it is 5 years old and
never ever has had a problem.
comment by elderjane on Oct 14, 2011 5:37 AM ()
It took me a long time to refute my father's opinion that one should trade in every year. Car dealer's mentality!
reply by solitaire on Oct 15, 2011 5:48 AM ()
My current car, a 2007 Toyota Corolla, is four years old. The one before that, also a Corolla, was 17 years old when I sold it. The one before that, a Toyota Cressida, was 18 years old when I traded it in. I am not a car person. As long as it runs, I am fine.
comment by boots586 on Oct 13, 2011 4:13 PM ()
Toyotas are good. Reliable. Keep hanging on to it.
reply by solitaire on Oct 14, 2011 5:19 AM ()
Now that I have your license plate #, I can stalk you.
You are looking good!
comment by crazylife on Oct 12, 2011 8:58 PM ()
You did get me to thinking about "tracing" my license plate! But everybody on the road can read it, so I doubt if it can happen. But go ahead, stalk me!
reply by solitaire on Oct 14, 2011 5:18 AM ()
If it ain't broke, don't replace it.
comment by nittineedles on Oct 12, 2011 4:01 PM ()
Your doing great.Mike feels the same way that you do.
Me,every three or four years I change.Love the challengeThe only problems is I like mine simple and not all the whistle and bells that they put in the car.Do not need them.
comment by fredo on Oct 12, 2011 8:29 AM ()
As long as I have cruise control and a functioning radio, I'm happy. Still, the urge to have a brand new toy is within me.
reply by solitaire on Oct 14, 2011 5:15 AM ()
I had a 1971 red Chevrolet convertible for over 20 years that I bought in 1981--when I had to lay it to rest in June of 2004 I cried like a baby--I still miss it!
comment by greatmartin on Oct 12, 2011 7:16 AM ()
I would venture to say that most of us fondly remember a vehicle we once had and regrettably got rid of.
reply by solitaire on Oct 14, 2011 5:13 AM ()
In this economy having a running vehicle that's paid for is a big plus. I've never been the type to feel that I needed a new car, as long as it got me from point A to point B without breaking down I am happy. Next year both our vehicles will be paid for, it will be awhile[I hope] till we need to get another one
comment by redwolftimes on Oct 12, 2011 6:15 AM ()
I reckon we're not helping the economy any by hanging on to our old vehicles!
reply by solitaire on Oct 14, 2011 5:12 AM ()

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