Our cars

When we first married, we had very little money and no car.  My father gave us his 54 Chevy instead of using it in a trade.  It was a wonderful gift.  Our first car and it made a big difference in our lives.

Eventually, we decided we wanted a different car.  We would have liked a new one but we bought a used Rambler wagon that looked much like this:

It was the worst car we ever owned.  We spent money on keeping it repaired that we didn’t have.  Eventually, Lynn drove it across six states to come to our new home in the Mid-west.

That winter, the heater didn’t work and it was always 10 below or colder.  Our breath would freeze in the inside of the windshield and the passenger in the front seat would have to use de-icer to try to give the driver a view of the road.  After that winter, we could afford a new car and got a Dodge

After a few years, we thought I thought I should join the ranks of those who traded a car in for a new one.  We visited the local Dodge dealer and one in another town.  We seemed to get a better deal with him and placed an order.  When we drove there to pick the car up, we were told that it had come with a tape recorder in it that was fixed to the transmission and could not be removed.  It was supposed to be safe from car thieves.  We could have the car for an extra $300.  We had a tape recorder that I had used steadily and I refused. 

We spent the rest of the day driving all over the place, looking and thinking.  Eventually we settled on a new VW Bug

We could afford to buy it and still keep the Dodge.  We became a two-car family.  What a wonderful difference that made!  For the next 35 years, we have had a vehicle apiece.  I hope we can stay that way as long as both of us can drive.

One day, walking to work, I passed a car and as I did so, the driver revved the engine a little.  I was amazed since I had heard nothing of the engine running as I passed inches from it.  Our bug was loud and I wanted to know what sort of car could be that quiet.  The answer was a Toyota.  Our next car was a Toyota and it was a good car but the dealer was too far away.  There was a Honda dealer close by and we have had Hondas ever since.  I loved the hatchback model.  It was small, economical but still had plenty of easy-to-get-at space.

  Eventually, we found our aging parents could not get into a 2-dr car and had to switch to 4 doors.  Front wheel drive and the stick shift gave me good control on icy roads.

Lynn wanted a car with plenty of room and pick-up for traveling after retirement.  We got a Honda Odyssey and it has been great. 

We’ve heard that the Toyota Sienna is a little quieter on the road but we may get another Odyssey when it comes time.  It would be nice if we can always have a van.