The last two cars we bought this year. We signed the paperwork on the 2006 Prius the 28th of January. We took possession of it on Feb 4th, my birthday. It was less than a week later that we bought the 2012 Tundra.
Most of my cars were old jalopies, held together with promises and prayers. My Mother used to joke, "The only reason you can get mechanics to work on your cars is they want to know why they were running, not why they quit."
I used to travel from Miles City, MT to Helena, MT once a month. Friends joked that I probably knew most of the mechanics on that 400 mile stretch. A friend was working on my 1973 International Scout when a fellow came into the shop. He looked at the jeep and asked, "Does that belong to a little gal, long dark hair? Has a big black dog?"
"Yep"
"Thought so. I've towed her a couple of times, different vehicle though."
When I told some of those same mechanics what my Mom believed - they agreed - she was right.
You are brave, really! I like cars that keep running, and hopefully not on a prayer and a promise. Great story, especially about being recognized by the tow truck drivers. We had friends with an International Scout; they found it very hard to give up. Thanks Ruth!
ReplyDeleteYou know...it just makes sense. We drive our cars into the ground too and you do mark your life by what car you were driving. That is rather frightening that mechanic knew who you were ~ good story!
ReplyDeleteThis made me laugh! Such a great story and I know what you mean. I have a little "puddle jumper" myself.
ReplyDeleteReading your first slice about your cars I can see how promising this topic is. This slice was funny, but I can imagine many different emotions coming up in following slices.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny to think of the tow truck guy knowing the person and their cars. Well, funny when you are not stuck on the side of the road, I guess.
ReplyDelete:)
Kevin
oh my gosh how funny! I get so stressed when something is wrong with my car, but it must not even phase you!
ReplyDeleteKatie
http://coffeefueledmusings.wordpress.com/
Now I want to count up our cars but I already know it is nowhere near as many as you and your husband! Our first...we bought together before going to college...25 dollars each for a Ford F150 with 200,000.
ReplyDeleteI surprised myself by being drawn into a blog about cars. I loved it! Thanks for sharing and I want to know more.
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud! My husband and I have a similar relationship with cars. Our current cars are newer and reliable, but previous to that I think our top price for a car had been $300!
ReplyDeleteHi again, Ruth. Thanks for telling me about the Seuss experience in WWII. I do know about it & used some of it when we studied editorial cartoons one year, but had forgotten. What a gifted man he was!
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time the car guys recognized me on the phone - never thought I would be "known" at the mechanic shop.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear some more car stories...If they are anything like mine, I am sure they will be hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI love that that fella remembered your car just from all the towing - pricelesss!
ReplyDeleteAn everyday sort of thing -- a car and yet reading your slice brought smiles and memories to me. Thanks for writing today, Ruth
ReplyDeleteSo much fun to read! Sadly, I can relate! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNow I want to count up my cars. I counted our dogs once: 10 in 40 years of marriage, not counting a litter of pups.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so funny that the tow guy recognized not just your car, but one you probably were driving...he knew your pattern, not just your vehicle!
That's pretty funny. My husband and I owned a lot of cars as well, but not this many! :-) We always talk about our old cars with some fondness as well. It sounds like you traded up this year -- good for you!
ReplyDeleteOh which was your favorite car and why?
ReplyDeleteAnd to think, I pat myself on the back for driving a 2005 Prius with 140,000. All of my own driving.
ReplyDeleteAll I say is all my respect.
Bonnie
Great start to your car stories! I don't have many great car stories, as a single girl that has always lived far from her daddy, I have always made sure to drive cars that I didn't have to pray too hard about. However, ever since I left for college, I have always taken a picture of myself with any car I have sold (or wrecked in one instance) and each new car I have bought. I do hold on to those for fun! :) Thanks for slicing!
ReplyDeleteYes, moms usually are right. That's a hoot - working on cars to see why they still run! I do love your ending, plus the surprise of the fellow who remembered your by your hair and dog. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for coming with me as I travel through memory lane. Jenb has a great idea about taking pictures of each car. Wish I had done that when I first started. What a hoot it would be to look at them now.
ReplyDeleteJessica asked which one was my favorite - that's challenging. My two top favorite would be the jeep and my horizon. The jeep because it would go anywhere. The Horizon because it never said die.
Bonnie how do you like your Prius? Have you had any problems with it?