Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Cars

My husband and I have gone through many a cars. We went through a phase one year when we had 8 different new cars and I guess we couldn't find the right fit. Over the course of the year we bought a new GTO (2005, when they switched from a 5.7 l to a 6.0 l), a new BMW ( I thought I really needed it, I was not impressed and only kept it 2 months), a Subaru outback (uneventful), an Evolution 8 soon traded for an evolution 9 (brought to the track several times and we got it down to an 11 sec. 1/4 mile car). During the course of buying and trading all of these cars we also had our ever faithful, reliable Toyota Tacoma (with a 4 inch lift, it was one of my favorites). When we moved to Utah, my husband was lucky enough to have a career that paid him a monthly allowance for his car. I still had a need to find a fun a car. We tried and Audi wagon, this was a lot of fun until... the air shocks (which had no warranty) went out one by one and they were each $1200 to replace (a piece). Yikes, we traded that in for a ford excursion which fit us all nicely, but the 10 mpg and 44 gallon tank was not making me very happy (seriously $180 to fill up). This year, as my husband was preparing to buy himself a new jeep, he was very surprised when I suggested that we trade in all cars for his new car (yeah for no car payment for us, since his work pays for it!) I would then proceed to find a car we could pay for with cash...dun, dun, dun! At first I looked at Jeep grand Wagoneers (I LOVE them). I could not find one that was not like driving a bomb down the highway, so plan B. Wait...I didn't have a plan B, and my car was gone....So....
We found a Volvo wagon. I think I love this car because it is paid for, and there is definitely something liberating about that! It also has....
the girls favorite part, a rear facing 3rd row seat. They love this, I hear a constant giggle coming from back there, and when I look in my rear view mirror the driver behind us is either waving, dancing, giving the girls thumbs up or laughing hysterically. I know Maddy and Elly put on a show for them and their dance moves put a smile on every one's face! It also doubles nicely as a stage area for....
ski stuff. There is an ample amount of room for ski clothes, snacks, etc. It's a mess, but it's a ski mess and in my book that's okay! Elly also added...
A sticker from Brighton resort, which is her new favorite. We are lucky enough to live within 30 min. from all the major resorts in Utah , but this weekend Brighton became her favorite. I am sure it had something to do with the handful of stickers the lift operator gave her, along with the workers who would cheer for her when she was going down, and the skittles her Papa would give her on the chair lift. She would get one skittle for every turn she did on the previous run. We are lucky enough to have her Papa as a ski teacher for us all.On weekdays he is an engineer, but on every weekend (Nov- May) he is a ski bum. He is so patient with us all and my goal is to have all the kids skiing in the next 4 years (my husband snowboards so that is no help). Normally I say no to stickers on cars, but with this car somehow it is okay.
       So that is the new, old, addition to our family. And while my husband prefers to drive his brand new car, this fits the rest of us just fine.

4 comments:

  1. When I was babysitting over the summer, the kids would fight over who got to sit in the jump seats in the Land Rover, because they thought the rear facing seats were too cool! Isn't it funny how much kids love those?!

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  2. Perfect choice! I have an 2001 V70 I bought used three years ago, and I've been extremely happy with it. It's the first really preppy car I've ever had, although as a single guy with no kids a wagon is probably a little incongruous. Does yours have leather?

    Way to pop that collar, Elly! You've raised the child well. :)

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  3. The only seat that has leather is the 3rd row, which I am a foot too tall to enjoy. It does help with the muddy situations that often end up back there though.

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  4. You’re right, HillaryPearl! I think all back row seats should have leather covers. It would be ideal for those who have pet dogs, just like me and my family. The seats wouldn’t be as hard to clean if it gets soiled.

    Leisa Dreps

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