You Know You’re Old When …
Image by The Toad via Flickr… You rent a Buick Lucerne … and like it!
There’s hope for GM yet
Yep, the Lucerne we rented yesterday was a sweet ride, a cruise ship on wheels. Never mind most of the folks who drive them remember the Hoover administration and are barely visible over the steering wheel.
Maybe there is hope for General Motors yet. Many of us Baby Boomers are moving into Buick territory.
What’s the favorite car you ever owned?
I guess I’ve always been old, because my favorite was a 1984 Cutlass Supreme. Chocolate brown with a velvety, chocolate brown interior, my Cutlass carried me across the road like a living room sofa.
Do you have a favorite car? Why do you remember it fondly?
Happy Friday!
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Maybe you and I can introduce UK slang to Chicago. Brad...
Brad,
I have little difficulty in choosing the favorite car I’ve ever owned - I have only ever owned one car, my old 1990 Nissan Skyline.
Unfortunately, she is past her best now, and when I return from Korea, my car and I will be re-united only for a short period.
It will be hard to let go. That piece of steel has been so good to me, she has never let me down and we have been through so much and travelled so many roads together (including one unfortunate trip to the Magistrates court).
But I will have to let go and move on with my life.
Andrews last blog post..Guest post from Brad Shorr
Andrew, That is what I call a real relationship with a car. How many miles do you have on it? Have you thought about what your next car will be?
Brad Shorrs last blog post..You Know You’re Old When …
Hi Brad,
I have driven about 270,000 kilometers on my vehicle, which I think is about 170,000 miles.
It is likely at some point shortly after I return from Korea, which will either be next year or the year after, that the cost of maintaining it the vehicle a roadworthy standard will not justify its value - even sentimentally.
My next car? Most probably a 1996 Model Toyota Camry - my parents’ car - just as my next place of residence will also most likely be with my parents for a considerable time period.
As much as any man my age relishes independence (don’t get me wrong, my folks are great and I love them dearly), given the likely state of the labor market at that stage, and the prospect of a considerable period of unemployment, living with my parents and driving their car is likely to be my reality for awhile after my return.
Andrews last blog post..Guest post from Brad Shorr
I’ve had my 2008 Jeep Wrangler 4-Door since April, and I absolutely love it. Favorite car I’ve ever had, hands down. Maybe there are still a few gems left in U.S. autos.
Shanes last blog post..Here’s a Blog You Should Subscribe To
Andrew, A lot can change in the next couple years - perhaps for the better.
Shane, Was the 2008 Wrangler a redesign? It looks sharp. Yes, there are definitely some good U.S. cars out there. Cadillac has some fantastic cars (if you can afford them). Lots of folks in farming out our way swear by Ford trucks.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..You Know You’re Old When …
Brad, I was *14 and newly licensed to drive when my widowed mother bought a 1966 Olds F-85. I was terribly disappointed because we also looked at a bronzed-red ‘66 Impala that perfectly complimented my complexion of red hair, and fair skin).
Nevertheless, I developed an affection for the uncool car, drove the stuffing out of it, crunched all four fenders and put a pronounced V-shape in the rear bumper. I got two speeding tickets it in, two days apart, in approximately the same location by the same Texas DPS trooper who couldn’t believe he’d stopped me a second time.
Mom gave the car to my older sister in 1973, and Sister drove it for another 3 years. When she sold it the air-conditioning would still freeze you to death, and the car looked like an escapee from the salvage yard, but it ran like a champ. Abused and neglected, the car never once failed to start and keep us safe. The car title had my mother’s name on it, but that car was mine in spirit.
*The State of Texas no longer issues drivers licenses to 14-year olds.
Deborahs last blog post..Wednesday at 11
Deborah, Great story! That Olds was the kind of car that could take a lickin’ and keep on tickin’. My brother and I shared a 1973 Chevy Nova we drove into the ground. They don’t make ‘em like that any more! Go Longhorns!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..You Know You’re Old When …
Hi Brad - I must admit, I always buy Ford cars. They’re safe and reliable. And you get a far more comfortable car, with a heap of extras than you would if you paid the same amount of money for a German or Japanese car.
Cath Lawsons last blog post..Does Your Business Really Understand People?
Hi Cath, It’s funny - here, Japanese cars are considered a better value than a Ford. German cars - yes, expensive to purchase and expensive to own.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..You Know You’re Old When …
oh my gosh — i had a 67 gutless supreme — it was an arizona car that never ever got used to the midwest winters
hey brad…I tagged you today - sure hope you can play!
Mother Earth aka Karen Hanrahans last blog post..Playing Tag
Hi Karen, Yep, those desert cars aren’t made to handle our climate. But I like it out west, because cars seem to last forever in mint condition.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..What Are You Thankful For?
My favorite car has to be Yolanda, a 1974 Dodge Charger. She was big, sleek, and hot! I tell ya; I was “it on a stick” when riding around in her!
Robert Hruzeks last blog post..Seven Things I Am Thankful For - A Writing Project
Robert, So you name your cars, too, eh?
Brad Shorrs last blog post..7 Things I’m Thankful For
Brad, I thought you and Robert were like this… (sign of crossed fingers), but if you do not know about Yolanda, I dunno.
Anyway, my favorite car was the Cutlass Supreme’s little sister the Omega. My first car was an ‘81 with power windows and all options. The first owner was an elderly lady who had barely put any miles on it in the first 10 years. It was an awesome car.
But then I went off to college. There was no parking available for freshman, I worked on campus, and my sister needed a car to get to work. I had been car-pooling with her and/or letting her borrow my car. So… I left the car with her.
At this point, I know you are visualizing my beautiful blue luxury (in my mind at least) car wrapped around a tree. Well, I am glad to say that is not what happened, but it was almost as bad. She traded it for a newer model. She sold a low mileage, beautiful, 15-year-old car, and bought a 12-year-old, higher mileage, no-power-windows, not quite as nice looking, ‘84 Omega. At least the upgrade only cost $1,000!
The next year I was allowed to bring my car to college, but by that time my sister had decided she needed an even newer car so she very kindly allowed me to keep the ‘84 Omega, which was fine by me, because even though it was not as nice as the ‘81, it was still an awesome car.
Luke Gedeons last blog post..The Machine is just a machine again
Luke, Great story. Isn’t it amazing how cars bring back memories of wonderful periods in our lives? My father and my sales manager both had Omegas circa 1981, but that was a WHOLE different story. Those two cars spent more time in the shop than any other cars I ever saw, before or since. It’s good to know the Omega has its devotees as well. On a side note, I always thought “Omega” was a poor name choice. Omega suggests “last” - is that really a good connotation for a car? To me it sounds like the Oldsmobile Cellar Dweller.
Brad Shorrs last blog post..7 Things I’m Thankful For
My first and favorite car was a 1966 Candy Apple Red Mustang Convertible. My brother owned it for a year or two before I got my hands on it. He wanted something “way faster” so I bought it from him (with my Dad’s help) at age 13. Needless to say I got my drivers license the day I turned 16. And away I went. Top down (on the car that is, lol) every chance I got. He name was “The Omega” and when my friends and I were called “The Omega Sistas”. I eventually had to sell her in 1985 for $2000. I wonder what she would be going for now? Oh what memories!
I love the Ford Expedition I have now that I’m a grown up. Would still love to have another convertible just for fun thought. Maybe someday. Thanks for letting me share
Hi Mellisa, THANK YOU for sharing your story here (and for clarifying “top down”). Mustangs were really something, weren’t they? The design never goes out of style. Here’s one I found online -
http://tinyurl.com/5wp63k
$28,500 - $46,500 - wow!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..7 Things I’m Thankful For