The Farmer's Wife: Discussing the process of buying a car

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Well, folks, I did something today I never thought I would do; I bought a car! I was hanging onto my 2008 Escape because it was relatively low mileage and I did not want the responsibility of  learning all those “bells and whistles”. I would just drive it until I wanted to quit driving, and frankly, I am not all that crazy about driving now! I don't understand the friends who won't give up their keys. It's a lot of responsibility.

When we moved to Lincoln, we were driving a Chrysler Town and Country we bought from cousin Paul for five thousand dollars. We really liked it, it was comfortable, and we could haul stuff in it. It even held all the grandkids in those days. Then, Mike got the idea we needed a Ford Escape and he had sold his pickup and thought he could possibly drive the Ford. We found a good used one, but he never did drive it.

When it had accumulated X number of miles, we traded up, and then, we added a carrier for the Pride scooter he was now riding (and driving. I never ceased to be amazed at the way he could maneuver that thing; he said it was easier than backing a wagon load of oats into the shed when it started to rain.).That involved a trip to a blacksmith shop by the Havelock shops for the Burlington in northeast Lincoln, but I got 'er done.

After he died, I gave the scooter and the carrier to some friends and I admit, it almost felt bare without it; I was so used to being careful where I parked, or backed up. And good old Farm Bureau Insurance adjusted my rates because I was putting on so few miles. I have a radius of about five miles around my house, for groceries, prescriptions, the doctor, the hair cutter, and even a hospital, if necessary. Oh, and church.

But I spent a lot on this thing a year ago, and last week, when I took it in for a review, they came up with ways for me to spend more, and I revolted. I told Jared, the head guy there, I was not going to spend another dime on it, not even for an oil change!

I drove to Louisville to Pankonin's IH to get a new red toy tractor for Mac for his birthday, and came home by way of Ashland and stopped at Lee Sapp, where I used to go for service. They had a 2018 Escape with 68,000 miles on it. I gulped at the price, told him I'd talk it over with Monte, and headed home.

Monte basically said, “if you like it, (I do) and you trust the dealer, (I do), then buy it. (I did!) I made up my mind if it was still there this morning, Monday, I would buy it; I told the guy I have never spent this much money on a vehicle that was not a tractor, and I feel like I'm in a cockpit while driving the thing, but I got it home safely and it's in the garage. 

Now, all I have to do is learn to operate the thing. Pray for me!!