“I replaced the headlights in my car with strobe lights, so it looks like I’m the only one moving.”
The cold has settled in for a bit. The sky is mostly cloudy with only a bit of blue. The sun is intermittent but is shining now. It has a glow about it which gives everything a brightness, even the browning leaves. The birds are active. Gracie’s coat is cold to the touch when she comes into the house.
We had very few trick or treaters last night, but they looked great. We had a Harry Potter, a soldier, a princess or two and a few I don’t remember. Even their fathers were in costume.
I’m going to pick out a new car today, a new used car. My old car is just fine, but I’m tired of it. It’s a 1999 Corolla I bought used in 2002. The car has been wonderful but it’s time we parted ways. I called my car dealership, and they’ll have a couple for me to look at when I go there today. My only stipulation was no silver or black.
I bought my first car when I got home from the Peace Corps. It was a boat, or at least the size of a boat. The car was a blue Chevy Impala, also used. The back end was huge and had a wing like look about it. No way could I parallel park that beastie. I would have needed a runway.
I stayed with Chevy’s for a while. My parents sold me my next car for $1.oo, their old car. It was a yellow Impala but smaller than my other one. I couldn’t parallel park that one either.
The first and only new car I ever bought was a blue Tercel, and I had to learn to drive a standard before I bought it. My friend took me to the school parking lot on a Sunday so I could practice starting, stopping and shifting. The first obstacle was when my friend told me to feel with my foot the spot on the pedal for idling the car in gear. We were jerked a few times, actually quite a few times, before I understood what in the heck he meant. I also kept stalling the car when I’d shift to the wrong gear. Finally, I got it and the bucking and stalling stopped. I was glad for that. My whiplash went away. I could parallel park that car in even the smallest space.
Explore posts in the same categories: MusingsTags: cars, chevy impala, standard car
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November 1, 2010 at 11:29 am
1961 Triumph Herald Saloon – it was 13 years old when I got it, and I was the third generation to drive it. Loved the car. It always got me to the dance and made sure that I came home alone.
November 2, 2010 at 9:43 am
My Dear Hedley,
I can see you in a Triumph. It seems a Hedley sort of car. It was neat that it went from generation to generation.
November 2, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Kat, it was the most ordinary of cars and so old that it didnt have seat belts or a radio. Once I actually convinced someone to date me (which took some effort) I added the belts and drove around with a Sony cassette player.
No flashy convertible or sporty image.
November 1, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Unfortunately I fell in love with french cars 🙂 :-)especially Citroen! My first car was a Citroen DS 21 Pallas. I can´t describe the look but it is called the Toad 🙂 🙂 🙂 Now days Citroens has as good quality as any other car, but back then I don´t think they ever had heard that word at Citroen 🙂 🙂 🙂
I have had rather many Citroens after that and therefore my economy isn´t as good as it could have been 🙂 🙂 🙂 Now day I look upon myself like a sober alcoholic when it comes to that brand. As long as I don´t sit in one I don´t buy it 🙂 🙂 🙂
Now I have a little Mazda and it is probably the best car I have ever had to be honest. But I wish I was rich so I could have an old Citroen DS 21 again! Life were so much more exciting then because You never knew when it should break down. Normally it happened when there wasn´t a single house within miles 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have a great day now!
Christer.
November 2, 2010 at 9:45 am
Christer,
I seldom see any Citroens around here though I do remember them from Europe. I’m laughing at the description of yourself as a sober alcoholic about that car. I’m not so sure wondering when the car would break down constitutes excitement.
I’m excited to pick up my car today!
November 1, 2010 at 5:43 pm
My first car was a VW bug and I put close to 150,000 miles on it. It had 48,000 when I bought it for $600. and my Dad paid $50 as a present to put all new tires on it. I loved that car. Then when I got out of the Army I used my ETS pay to pay cash for a Pontiac Judge. Very hot car, could take a Corvette on a straight away in less than 10 seconds. I loved that car too but a year later the insurance on all cars went up and it forced me to sell it, I was in College and always broke. But those were my best car days. Everything after that was bought for family and just kinda plundered along. Not very exciting to drive. My current car is a Merc Milan which I bought used because my friend at the dealership had to take it back off a lease that went bad so I got a back end price which was fantastic. It drives like a little sports car. So I will probably keep it to retirement.
November 2, 2010 at 9:48 am
Z&Me,
I think we all have a bit of affection for our first cars. Bugs were THE car for a while. My friend Claire loved hers and had it forever.
We were always a Chevy family. I think because my grandfather had been so my father was. I laughed because it was the first car I picked as well.
November 1, 2010 at 11:03 pm
I only bought one really fun car in my life. It was a 1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider. I bought this car from a friend of a friend in 1968. It was not imported to the this country by Alfa but was brought in by an individual. There were not very many of these six cylinder, touring, two plus two cars in the country. This car was a dream to drive with the top down on a beautiful spring or fall day. Unfortunately, it spent a lot of time in the shop waiting for parts to replace the many exotic but poorly made italian designed parts.
I gave the car to my father to play with in his retirement and bought myself a nice Toyota in 1970 when I realized that I needed good dependable transportation. In 1975 some kids stole the Alfa and wrecked it one Saturday night.
When the kids are out of the house and the dogs all go to their just rewards, I can once again think about buying an exotic drop top two seater just for my pleasure. That’s if they are not legislated out of existence by that time.
November 2, 2010 at 12:20 am
That Alfa Romeo is a wonderful car, but even more expensive than my Citroens to repair 🙂 🙂 But few things beats an Alfa Romeo on the rod 🙂
Christer.
November 2, 2010 at 9:51 am
Men and their cars!
November 2, 2010 at 7:39 pm
Alfas, Fiats and Citroens have not been imported to the U.S. for many years. The Citroen has always been a very interesting and quirky automobile. Unfortunately, French cars don’t last very long in this country. I can’t figure out if they are not make well or not made for the high temperatures we have here in the States. The last ones had that hydraulic lift system that always leaked green fluid and a one spoke steering wheel.
November 19, 2010 at 6:47 am
Bob,
I’ve just got my license – wish I could get an Alfa for my first car. I would go for the new Alfa Romeo Mito though the ones in old movies are amazing.
Wish my parents would sell me their car for a dollar
November 2, 2010 at 9:51 am
Bob,
I have never seen an Alfa Romeo in real life , but I remember them from movies. I remember Audrey Hepburn on one with the top down while she rode along a coast road. Her kerchief was blowing in the wind. Classy!
Toyotas are my car of choice now-I’ve had three and am about to pick up my 4th. You’re right about the dogs-Gracie is a hanger out the window and would be gone in a flash without a top to the car.
November 2, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Bob,
It is no wonder then I wouldn’t recognize one though I readily admit I wouldn’t recognize most cars. If I ever witnessed an accident and the police wanted to know about the car, I’d be hard pressed to get beyond giving the color.
November 3, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Kat,
Here is photo of the car I owned. Mine was also this color blue.
http://www.netcarshow.com/alfa_romeo/1962-2600_spider/800×600/wallpaper_01.htm
November 3, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Bob,
What a great car! I do remember James Bond in one of these instead of his usual car.