After a few years of living car-free, things have changed. My life changed. I married Diane. I got another dog that doesn’t easily fit on a bike. My new job is farther from home.
Although Diane has her Explorer, it is hers. It’s also older, and I wouldn’t trust it on a long trip. The benefit is that it was paid for in cash.
Yesterday, I paid a visit to CarMax (where I bought my Nissan Frontier in 2009) and bought a 2012 Honda Civic.
After getting the car, I went to the grocery store and thought over the decision. I’m still going to get around by bike for most things. The car gives me an “out” for those days I just don’t feel up to riding. It also gives me the ability to drive to Michigan to visit my mother without the hassle of a car rental, or the risk of the Explorer breaking down.
Although it’s an econo-car, it’s the nicest car I’ve owned. It has only 21,000 miles on it. It has more gadgets than I know what to do with. It connects to my phone with bluetooth. It has a sunroof. Fancy.
Diane and I took it for a drive last night, and brought both dogs with us. Yes, my car got the “dog hair treatment” on the first day.
If I regret the purchase later, or if life changes again, I can sell the car, assuming I pay off enough of it by then. I did with the Nissan.
I did drive the new car to work today, but I’ll be on the bike tomorrow.
Nice. I’m a bit of a Civic fan. My excessively long commute is no secret, and my Civic keeps on gobbling the miles.
Nice! It’s so exciting to get a new car. Cute pic of you and the Mrs — love the Hawaiian shirt! Hope the new job is going well, and many congrats on the weight loss! I bet you feel a lot better.