I purchased a new vehicle. Well, not a brand new vehicle, but almost. My truck had that combination of age, kilometres and repairs needed that made me go shopping.
I hadn’t been shopping for a vehicle for about 12 years and I was a bit shocked when I saw what I would have to pay if I found what I was looking for.
I did find one on a private sale. Low mileage, clean and with every option but a fish finder.
I took it for a test drive and made an offer that was accepted, but was taken aback when the seller said he wanted cash.
After checking with my bank, I found out I couldn’t just take that much of my cash out of the bank without making a requisition, then waiting 24 hours.
Then the seller wanted to complete the deal at a SkyTrain Station in Surrey, so I called it off and told him I would look elsewhere.
That’s too bad, because he seemed like a nice guy and I remember a time when cash was exchanged, a handshake was made and a deal was completed. Land was purchased that way, materials to build homes were bought that way and we trusted each other.
But a day later I found the car I was looking for on a local lot and we made a deal. I’m going to tell you I got a good deal because no guy will ever say, “Boy that guy saw me coming and really ripped me off.”
We always get a good deal when we buy a vehicle.
Of course it has lots of new gadgets and the dashboard is somewhat similar to the Space Shuttle.
The first day it rained, I sat in the driveway for a bit figuring how to turn the wipers on. I tried to change the radio station and it started to scan and switch stations every 10 seconds so I turned it off.
A few years back when we bought a new car for the fire department, the salesman told me to put the owner’s manual in the vanity drawer in front of the toilet.
“In one month you will know more about that car than any other one you have ever owned.”
Not only was he right, but I also improved my regularity.
After I had learned what all the switches and dials were for, the driving was much more enjoyable.
Next I made a trip to Canadian Tire. They have an entire section there for guys who have just bought new cars.
When I was washing my old truck, I would shake the sand out of the old wash mitt, pour some laundry detergent or dish soap into a pail and after some scrubbing, it would look OK.
But to protect this investment I purchased a ‘synthetic lamb’s wool wash mitt,’ a bottle of combination car wash and wax liquid that ‘produces a high gloss shine every time’, and because we have water restrictions I picked up the ‘Original California Car Duster’ designed to ‘scientifically and effectively remove surface dust without scratching.’ (As seen on TV!)
My first car cost $100, and I was pretty proud of that old Plymouth and it never let me down.
I paid a bit more this time, but I’ll be more than happy if I get that service out of my new one.
At least, that’s what McGregor says.
