Not a particularly restful evening

[ksmith]

...especially when you have to write a check.

But, my blue boy is home. I'm referring to Harrison, my pickup truck. We had a bit of a fender-bender a month ago--rainy afternoon, I stopped in time, the person behind me didn't and pushed me into the car ahead of me--and he's been in the shop pretty much since then. New bumpers, a new tailgate, new spare tire hoist. In addition, there was some outstanding body work--a few scratches, dents, and dings--that I had meant to have worked on for over a year. Had those taken care of, too. Harrison looks very spiff as a result, pretty much like a new truck. I've had him for almost 8 years, and if I keep him garaged I should be able to keep him looking like new for another 8.

Now I get to go through First Scratch Trauma again. Oh goody.

We don't sell vehicles in my family. We give them names, drive them until they can't be drove no more, then stand in the window and cry as the wrecker hauls them away.

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Subarus are funny. I remember an article from several years ago discussing the differences between those who buy Outbacks (snowboarders, mountain bikers) and those who buy Foresters (xcountry skiers, road bikers). One line that has stayed with me referred to Forester drivers as Birkenstock wearers. At the time, I looked down at my Birkie clogs and muttered 'oh well, tagged again.'

Foresters have undergone a thorough redesign over the past few years, but I like my blocky greenhouse on wheels.

At the time I was thinking about the Forester, I wondered if I was being too staid. Decided to give a used Land Rover a try. Took it in to the local dealership and had it checked. Turned out it needed almost $7000 worth of work even though it only had 68K miles on it. The service manager told me that this wasn't unusual for Land Rovers--you can't beat them for offroad, but they don't handle suburban driving very well, and start to leak from every orifice imaginable.

'Looks like I'm back to a Forester," I said. The service manager kind of shrugged, and said 'Japanese engines don't break.'

Now every time I see a Rover, all I can think of is 'more money than sense.'