Trina Machacek
It is almost beyond me to think of going in and buying a new car today.
Of course, there are cars that are within nearly any budget. From cars on used car lots to brand new, shiny, all-the-bells-and-whistles cars. Today, though, I would like to talk about that new and shiny goody that we sometimes dream about.
I know I dream about new. The biggest reason is that warranty. It is like gold when you find yourself looking at all that is going on under the hoods of cars that let’s say are less than 17 years old.
I used to be able to see the air cleaner and the carburetor and the battery and, you know, car stuff. But today when the hood goes up on a new car? It might as well be a deep dark well with no bottom. I am duly impressed, of course. But! — yes, a technically challenged “but.” I would no more feel like touching anything under there than I would fly to the moon on gossamer wings. So that warranty really might as well be lined with gold leaf.
Then, after taking into account a good as gold warranty, well the price comes into play. Holy cats and kittens, Batman. Don’t know how long it has been since you’ve driven through a car lot and stopped to “just check” the window sticker. Sticker shock is alive and well, for sure.
I like trucks. My life and world have always needed a truck. Not that I am all that trashy, but for some reason there is always trash to pack and haul. Well, huh, maybe there is something to my world being a bit trashy. Sorry, crossed to another story …
Sticker shock. I suppose we are all aware of the price of groceries and gas. Some have taken note of the price of houses and land because we have houses and land and that desire to know what we are worth will, I surmise, always be part of our makeup. But new cars and trucks and their costs usually come onto our radar when that old friend begins to nickel and dime us. Then the trips, after closing time, driving through car lots becomes part of a routine.
I am in no way in need of a new truck or car. I have just what I need and so far, knock on wood, my Buddy and Ruby are happy living here and taking me to and from. Yes, my vehicles have names.
A friend of mine needed a new something, so I went along to kick tires and look under hoods. BaZoweee. There were some pretty cool looking vehicles that made my inner girl look twice. Each time I looked and started to dream I was zip, zap, zoomed back to reality when I got to the passenger side. You know — where the window sticker is slapped on. “Slapped on” is the right terminology because at each one I felt the slap of reality.
Oh, the little cars, the tiny cars, the ones that I call little shoes were financially probably within reach of nearly anyone. But not too practical living where the snow could very easily be up to and higher than shoelace-height on those little shoes.
The trucks? Oh, they have come a long, long way up the money ladder. At the same time, they are so much more than just a truck. I envisioned my trash barrels inside the beds of those new shiny areas with the USB ports and electrical outlets and automatic tailgates and I had to giggle. Just because it is in the shape of a truck doesn’t make it a work truck, for sure. Seems the trucks I looked at, and I admit I only looked at the purdy ones, are what I call, “never leave the asphalt” trucks.
I have, I think and really hope, gone past the days of getting a new vehicle. Especially since all the bells and whistles were priced well above what I paid for my house. I so remember the days of buying a new truck or car, or even a house. It is a great thing to be able to get that excited. Knowing that you can “swing it.” To feel the power of ownership … well, working toward ownership. I still remember the beads of sweat on my forehead every time I signed notes to buy a new-fangled this or that. There is nothing like it. I hope everyone at one time or another gets that experience.
Of course, at this age I am lucky enough to have my vehicles and my house all paid for. Whew.
Trina lives in Eureka. Her books are available anywhere you buy books or email her at itybytrina@yahoo.com to buy a signed copy.