05.07.26 Oops, I did it again.....but...

     So I guess I just can't help myself. I swore, and Theresa said she would never let me, buy yet another battle tank that's a bucket of bolts, and full of rust. While it may seem impulsive, sell trains yesterday buy a new truck today, that's what I did. But I think, yet again, it was a good buy.

     While I had my sights on a GMC Yukon Denali a Suburban was a close second. So in between sanding and painting I spent a lot of time in the wee hours searching FBM for just that. I also looked on line to see what a newer model of anything would run. Well, above is just one example. An eleven year old vehicle with 122,000 miles for just under $14,000. And truth be told those Chevy and GMC in years 2002-2004 are my favorite. And then I found her. 

    What got me was two things, one owner, and 120,000 miles. Could that be true? Yes it was. It was freshly listed so I jumped on Messenger and set up a meeting. With an asking price of $4,999 could it be a good one?

     So yesterday Theresa and I drove to the Battleground Country Club to check her out. Needless to say the original owners were great. This was the family truckster that was used for local use and an occasional trip. For the last bunch of years it stayed put to be used as a Bog-Out vehicle if the world was to go to shit. Well with Covid over, and I guess the world in a better place, and with the kids grown and gone it was time for them to sell it. And I was the perfect buyer. 

     Newer tires, zero rust underneath, and an impeccable interior. The only two things were an ABS light that comes on intermittently and a finish that looks like they drove through an acid rain storm. If you were looking for pretty only then this would not be your go to. But if you were looking for a tank of a truck that was all good on the inside, one mechanic serviced it for 20 years, but a little rough around the face them she would be a taker. And we took her. I emptied the 35 hundies from my pocket and Theresa figured out Zelle with the sellers for another G-note. 

     So I would be into her for $4,500 and then a much needed paint job. So I looked at Maaco figuring they could do a quickie for about a grand and get her looking good. When I told my parents about it my Dad said, "I know a guy", and this just may wind up being a Godsend. His "guy" wouldn't be doing a half-ass scrape and paint type of Maaco job. So I felt relieved and really excited what she will look like all gussied up. 

     So I put on the plates and called for insurance coverage and drove her home. I gave her a quick power washing and a detail and washed the windows. This is going to be a perfect ride. It can tow the boat, hold all my fishing gear, and even be big enough if I need to escape the smaller home we plan on moving to. I'm sure things will come up, like what's with the ABS light, and things now unseen. But I'm happy.  

     So for now I have two Chevys in the driveway. The truck sits on FBM and I've already got a ton of questions from mostly annoying "Hi, is this available?" people. I'm thinking this will go by the weekend, but I thought the same with the trains. She needs an oil change but that'll have to wait because I can't get sidetracked from getting the house ready. And those rims...put getting those redone on my Christmas wish list. I love when an older truck has good rims. DMV in the morning to register and then inspection in a week or so. Hopefully it'll pass. 

     And yesterday was my Mom's 80th birthday. Had a bunch of the fan damily out for dinner and it was good food, drink, and laughs. It's crazy how fast life goes, not that I remember when she was born, which was in 1946. But for me in 1968, and Theresa in 1966, and even my first born in 1996. There's no doubt when they say live each day like it's your last and you can't take it with you. Soon it'll all be over, and they'll be taking you out of your house feet first.