Still talking about cars.

     In general, I like this car.  I am enjoying it a good deal.  It is very good on gas, peppy, and comfortable. It is the last week in June, I have not smoked a single cigar in it.  I do believe that has also helped on the gas mileage. 

     My older habit had been leave work, get in car, light up somewhere off company grounds, enjoy smoke on the way home.  For those that don't know, cigars do not all smoke the same or come in the same size.  So often times I'd meander home on backroads.  Literally just driving to finish my cigar.  It was my best relaxation before coming home.

     No I haven't stopped.  I've adapted, it will be more interesting in the winter weather.  But on nice days, I go down to a beach and have a smoke.  Afterall, as I knew for other reasons, there is no way it takes me up to 1 and a half hours to get home.  Shh! Don't tell the kiddies.

     I put part of the new enjoyment on the fact that the car is so enjoyable to drive and part that it is so new to me.  Also part has to go that I trashed the inside of my old car.  To the point that I cringed at the thought of anyone I knew looking into it.  I've also compiled a list of things I will not miss about the old car.

1.)  A few winters ago she developed a really bad habit.  When the weather went below 32 degree's F here the drivers door gave me problems.  No not opening, closing.  There were times I would forget to go in the passenger side and freeze waiting for the car to warm up.  The door would close, just would not engage the latch to keep it close.  Not until it was warm.  Many a cold morning was spent this way.  Sometimes without the benefit of gloves.

2.)  Oil.  I cannot put my finger out on it.  I and no one else, this is hard for a man to admit, apparently almost ran my car out of oil.  The car never forgave me for this.  She burned oil like a cup of coffee.  I would estimate the last 2 years I put in about 5 quarts in between oil changes.  That is a lot.  Recently as she's gotten worse I've been concerned tha she would just ignite.  Car fires are not fun.

3.)  A recent thing.  My door lock and door handle have been sticking.  I would stop and go to leave and would occassionally have to open the car door from the outside handle.

     Those are the top 3 there are more.  For instance 1 year ago the check engine light became a permanent fixation.  This past winter the car has actually began to shudder at times.  I mean come on, 207,000 thousand some odd miles, I've gotten a real good run out of her.

     She's still in the drive way, it is a feat to clean her out.  Then I must turn in plates and get rid of her.  Hoping to get a junkyard to pick her up.  Otherwise it goes to charity and they can get the salvage points.

     Oh there's still a little more to tell, but let's save that for some other time.  Or some general rambling.