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We are once again a two car family. No I didn't buy a Ferrari, though that would be fun. I sold a car. For the past three years, between the two of us . . . well really I should take responsibility for this, for the past three years I have owned two cars, and J has owned one; we were a three car family. More cars than drivers.
When I bought the VW convertible, I kept the reliable, practical Mazda 3 hatchback. It was the proverbial hot hatch. Fast, handled well, had lots of toys, a sunroof, and a great sound system. I kept it as a grocery getter, and honestly out of a fear that if the convertible turned out to be a lemon I would still have a reliable car (the only other VW I have owned was a lemon yellow lemon from day one.) I grew to trust the little VW, I love putting the top down. It is small and easy to drive. The handling is not as crisp, but I have adjusted to it. The turbo makes it snappy enough to get out of the way. The VW convertible became my go to car, unless I needed a bit more room. And I seldom do, and when I do there is a Mercedes in the garage.
I had bought the Mazda new back in January of 2012. I was on my way to buy a Honda fit, saw the Mazda at the dealer next door, it was a little larger, much nicer, and frankly very well priced. It was kind of an impulse buy, I was headed out to buy a car, but not that car that day. It has been a very good car. The issue was not that it was worn out, or needed work, it was that I don't use it enough to justify owning it. I had it serviced and inspected in January (the state has a mandatory safety and emissions inspections) and I had driven it less than 600 miles since then. I had to remind myself that it needed to be driven. In nearly 10 years, I had only driven it 36,700 miles. It is the ten-year old used car you want to buy, if you are buying a ten year old used car. Driven enough so everything works, dealer maintained, and very low miles.
I sold it to the dealer I bought it from. I might have squeezed a little more out of it selling it myself, but I wanted this to be as painless as possible. And it was, maybe 30 minutes total, and I know the dealers payment will be good. They drove me home in it, I couldn't stand to watch it drive away.
Five minutes or five years from now, when I regret parting with it, I will need to come back and reread this, reminding myself, that it is simply not good for a car to sit that much. It needs to be driven, it is fun to drive, I wish the new owner as much happiness in it as I had.
My one and only VW was a 92 Jetta. Ken had an earlier model Jetta and I really liked that car. His was great, mine was a lemon. Turns out that his was built in Germany and mine was built in Mexico. Not that I'm blaming Mexico, but VW apparently had some quality issues at their factory there.
ReplyDeleteI sold the Jetta after about a year and got a Jeep Cherokee. I never looked back.
The convertible was assembled in Portugal, so now I can say I have owned a Portuguese car.
DeleteWe had a a VW Beetle in the 80s. It was bought used and soon needed some engine work, but ever since it was very reliable. I felt a sense of relief when we rid ourselves of our second car.
ReplyDeleteI came close to owning a Beetle one time, the sellers brother cut it up to build a dune-buggy before we could close the deal.
DeleteI’d buy a Ferrari just for their steering wheels. Maybe I should buy a steering wheel. Sounds like it was a great idea to sell the Mazda.
ReplyDeleteHave that steering wheel installed in the Prius. The USA is still suffering a shortage of new cars (microchip shortage) and used car prices are about way up, for this car about twice what it was worth a year ago.
DeleteGreat timing!
DeleteOh, I would LOVE to see that steering wheel on a Prius...
DeleteI m on my third Mazda. I have been very pleased with the bang for a buck I get them them and their service is excellent.
ReplyDeleteWe just had a event at a new Porsche dealership who requested flowers. You would have loved those cars. They are making them larger now, and the manager there was telling me they hope there fleet will be all electric within three years
Build a car to fit a fat behind, and they will come.
DeleteThe Mercedes SL, my behind fit in it - Actually the Ferrari California fit very well, until I look at the price
DeleteI owned both a VW Bug and a Mazda 626.Loved both cars, and both served me very well.
ReplyDeleteFor years I drove a Saturn Vue and I loved that car, too, but since they no longer make them, some parts are unavailable, so repairs could become expensive. We sold that car and as we were leaving the dealership I asked if I could say goodbye to the Vue; they looked at me like I was crazy as I walked over, placed my hand on the hood, looked her in the windshield and said Goodbye.
I can understand that
DeleteDon't feel bad Bob. I also had three Saturns. And they were all excellent cars. Such a shame GM got rid of them. They were well made and virtually maintenance free if you stayed on schedule, and excellent customer service. When I got rid of the last Saturn, they had already stopped making them. Thank heavens I found Mazda.
DeleteMy brother had a VW once and it was a lemon too.
ReplyDeleteI bought a used diesel that had been overheated and fried
DeleteIt's hard to part with an old friend who has served you well. I would have been sad to see it drive away too.
ReplyDeleteIt was an logical not an emotional decision.
Deletewhat a lovely tale and read!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever felt that way towards a vehicle.
My father would have said, you never drove the right car. The convertible would be even harder to part with. It has been so fun.
DeleteMax (the car) was a good and faithful soul, a little on the shy side till you hit the accelerator. He did love to run and deserved more than to be cooped up in a parking space most of the time. He'll be in a better place now.
DeleteLove
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