My Daughter's Used Car Lives On - Part 2

Image via WikipediaIt was two months ago when the subject of my daughter's possible used car purchase came up. I wrote a post describing it called "She's Buying a Car, What's Better a Rebate or Low Interest? Help Dad." In said post I described how the bane of my daughter's transportation life was starting to cough and sputter like never before. The question of replacing the 200,000+ miles 1999 Mitsubishi Galant was brought to the forefront, again.


We went shopping and got some prices but we never pulled the trigger on the purchase because with a little tinkering by a friendly, trustworthy mechanic ole' Betsy lived on another day. Till this day it's a miracle that the car is running. I am "AMAZED".


The decision has been made to wait and play it by ear till the car finally and forever packs it in. I am proud of my daughter for not having car fever and patiently waiting. Must take after Dad. 


My daughter has her used car fund in place and it's growing every month. It's fascinating that this car is running and running well. Over the years belts, gaskets, timing belts, and other minor service has been done. Yet it still has the original power train. It says something for the car makers.


I drive a 2001 Ford van with 125,000 miles on it and feel challenged to see if I can get that odometer up to 200,000 or more. The notion of driving  used cars with these kind of numbers has not been in our lives before. But with the recession and business problems, a new purchase is out of the question. In the old days I would be worried when the odometer got to 50,000 miles. Not any more.


If there has to be a bright side to this recession it's that we are relearning grandma's and grandpa's frugal ways that they learned in their depression. I can tell you that those lessons were always a part of their lives. It always stuck with them to pinch every penny and spend wisely.


Someday the next generation will point at us and what will they say. Will they say we remembered the lessons learned or did we cast them aside when things got good again. For me and mine the lessons are now a way of life. 


How about You?