In October 1999, the lease was up on the Ford van I was driving, so Paul and I headed to the Ford dealership to look at new models.
I wanted to buy a vehicle rather than lease. I was thinking of going back to an F-150, as I loved my last one. But, as we were looking around, a white van was unloaded off a transport vehicle. I fell in love.
I know it’s ridiculous to fall in love with a car but hey, that’s okay. The Ford van I was to name Fancy Van was a 2000 custom van. She had an upgraded exterior with large tires, chrome wheels, and special bumpers and running boards. The interior was custom, too, with four captain’s chairs, extra cargo room in the back, two TVs and a video player, 8 speaker sound system, and power ports everywhere. Oh, yeah, and two fold down tables big enough to eat on. She was NOT a dog van.
I bought her anyway. Oh, and I forgot. She also had a Titan V-8 engine that likes to go, umm, fast.
Since I bought her, Fancy Van has done everything I’ve asked and gone everywhere I’ve wanted to go. She’s been up and down the state of California, including up the coast through the redwoods of Big Sur to San Francisco. She’s been to Solvang, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and more. Fancy Van has been on road trips, and camping excursions. She’s been to dog shows and a variety of other events. She’s crossed deserts, weaved through forests, and climbed mountains.
Most importantly to me, she’s never left me stranded.
However, Fancy Van is growing older and the repair bills are adding up. In addition, her gas mileage, well, let’s just say it’s not good.
So, I’ve been researching a replacement. I’ve been reading the car reviews posted here and I’ve got all the consumer and car magazines rating the new vehicles. I’ve also been searching the internet. Unfortunately, my wants and requirements conflict each other. I want better gas mileage yet I want the car to have enough power to get out of its own way. I want cargo space for Aussie crates, agility equipment, yard supplies, and camping gear but yet I also want good gas mileage. I’ve enjoyed not having a car payment but I want a new car. See what I mean about conflicts?
But I’m not in a hurry. Fancy Van is still reliable and it’s going to take a special vehicle to replace her. So, Paul and I continue our research. I’ll keep you posted on my search.
Photo credit: Top: Fancy Van in Solvang, CA; bottom: Riker and Archer are waiting to go somewhere, anywhere! Both photos by Liz Palika.
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