So, what is up???
That is my mom's head in the photo. We were both taking pictures. Seems like she somehow managed to get in all of mine! Hahaha.
Short story long: the Buick Rendezvous we had was a 2005. Buick stopped making them that year, or shortly thereafter. My mom Loved that car, and I liked it a lot. Very comfortable to ride in, particularly for long trips. BUT, at 180,000+ miles it started needing lots of repair. When I say lots, I mean lots. We reached the tipping point and had to decide on Repair or Replace.
That led to multiple days of visiting car dealerships and driving around cars. Blah blah blah. We both returned home every night exhausted and one of us had terrible migraines. Bet you can't guess which one! BTW, none of this conducive to blogging or working on my WiP.
Mom found this car online, with a marked down Internet Price. It is a Used Car. Can you tell???? Do you know what it is?
Let me give you a clue...
Everyone who has the ENORMOUS pleasure of seeing this car, has said, "What is it?"
Mom or I say, "It's a Buick Verano."
Then they launch into the commercial. It's actually pretty funny.
BUT, it really doesn't look like a Buick. However, it rides like one. Smoooooth.
Now something funny for Halloween. I know I missed HERE'S TO YOU this week. I just haven't had time to read blogs and put the post together. Now you know why.
Lastly, Battle of the Bands kicks off again tomorrow. I am still undecided on my song. Yeah, it's been that kind of week!
I am TERRIBLE about identifying makes and models of car. I find my own car in parking lots by looking for the ski rack on top. Once, my husband took the rack off to repair it -- and guess what? I couldn't find my car in the parking lot at the grocery store. This is not an exaggeration.
ReplyDeleteBut I am happy you and your mom found a car you are happy with!
I know all about the Verano, but then again I'm a car nerd. Most people don't know about the Encore, or that the Grand National and GNX are coming back in 2015.
ReplyDeleteNice ride!
Congratulations on finding just the right car. When you find it, you just know...
ReplyDeleteThe car does nice. I guess the hassle was well worth it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finding the car-I hate looking for cars especially when one can't just go in and say "I want that". Love Castle:)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car. We're Ford people but my parents always drove Buicks if they could afford them.
ReplyDeleteI just bought a Chevy Van:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO8dHPx_Zjk
Wanna go 4 a "ride"?
I'm kidding! I'm kidding!
Just like I was kidding in the second half of the comment I just left on Arlee Bird's blog. BUT... if you can't come up with a better song 4 tomorrow, why not use the one I said I thought Arlee Bird is going to use? I know he's NOT REALLY gonna use it, so why don't you?
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT:
Do I give good comment, or what?!
Dianne ~ Since we started discussing the possibility of buying another car, I "woke up" and started paying attention to the other cars on the road... in a way other than "don't you run into me, bozo" type way. Suddenly, I am saying things like, "Well, that's a pretty one. I didn't even know they made (insert name here)." My mom then says something like, "Only for several YEARS now." sigh. I did a lot of catching up in a short amount of time.
ReplyDeleteOh... and thank God for ski racks!
Steven ~ Since you pen a CAR BLOG I was sure you'd know the car. It is also the reason I haven't started reading your WiP. Hope to get to it SOON!
Alex ~ Yes, we both loved it the moment we rode in it.
J.L. ~ Cars are just a hassle. Period. Fix. Replace. Pay!!!
Birgit ~ Not sure if you live in the US or not... I can't keep it all straight... but if you do and want to just test drive a bunch of different things (because you have NO IDEA what you want) then go to Carmax. They have it all and DON'T CARE which "brand" you choose.
Susan ~ The first Buick we had was the aforementioned Rendezvous. Loved that car. I "inherited" an Oldsmobile many years ago that belonged to my grandparents. My grandpa continued to drive it after his license was revoked. Wrecked it in a way that you wouldn't even believe. Even though it was repaired, that car was NEVER the same. My mom got it. Then I got it. It rode really well, but Lord Almighty... the need for repair. It didn't last long on my budget!
StMc~ I assume you are kidding about buying the Chevy van. We had a Chevy van back in the 70s. I don't think it was because of that song, though. It had an 8 track player. I'm not kidding.
I think I've decided on a song. But, I will still see what you suggested on Arlee's page... just because I am curious.
Yep.
Congrats on the new car Robin. Happy Halloween!! :)
ReplyDeleteThere are few experiences in life that I hate as much as buying a car...
ReplyDeleteI dig the new ride! Congrats! Like Steven, I'm a car nerd, so I know all about them. That beauty should treat you well and look good doing it.
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot for red cars, having two of them. One of them a sedan (a hot rod sedan, but still, a sedan). I love that fun, sporty look that's still practical.
Car shopping - I'm dreading that. Anything else that sucks will find a way to get straightened out - heads up!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car! It's very sporty, and I love the color! My mom had a 1991 black and beige Buick Riviera. It looked like a real 'pimp mobile' with all the glitzy chrome and beige accents. She held onto it for more than 10 years, and it only had a few thousand miles on it. Everyone said they wanted that car, but she had to practically give it away. She wanted to keep it in the family, but it was a real gas guzzler, and my older son was too young to drive at the time. My mom still hasn't forgiven me. Cute Castle clip!
ReplyDeleteJulie
We always buy "new to us" vehicles. Everything is cheaper- even the insurance. Enjoy your new ride!
ReplyDeleteGood look on your search. About this time last year we started looking for a replacement to our van. We love the Chrysler van that we settled for and have taken 3 cross country trip since. Next we'll be looking to replace my wife's 2007 Nissan Maxima. It's got about 130,000 I think, but I hope it holds out another year at least.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the car. And hope you can get rid of those migraines.
I'll come back for BOTB.
Lee
Tossing It Out
OE ~ Thanks. Hope yours was fun.
ReplyDeleteLC ~ I feel ya. It's a big decision that you hope is the right one.
ABFTS ~ Funny, but I thought I'd NEVER buy a red car. Not because I dislike the color (although some reds, I really do - dislike, that is), but because I'd heard that the police tend to stop red cars more often than any other color. Now I have one and my brother bought one a few years ago, too. ::sigh::
Dixie ~ I really love driving this car. I think it's made up for the pain of looking...
Julie ~ One thing I discovered through this car shopping experience is that no one wants to finance an older car. I found a gorgeous Buick Lacrosse with only 14,000 miles on it, but it was a 2008. It drove like a dream... it was gold with a cream interior. Just a gorgeous car. But it was 2008. I imagine your mom encountered that, too. Plus, in these days of high gas prices, no one wants a gas guzzler.
Elizabeth ~ Buying a fairly new used vehicle... much smarter!
Arlee ~ I had a Dodge Caravan minivan for several years and it was a wonderful riding vehicle. I think it is/was similar to your Chrysler.
Just a fun car nerd fact for you - red cars are not the most pulled over color of car... not by a long shot. The most pulled over color is... gray. The next color? White. It's just an old wives tale that if you have a red car (or very sporty looking car) you're going to get pulled over.
DeleteIf it tells you anything, I have a cherry red Mustang with loud, rumbly exhaust, and in the 8 years I've owned it I've not been pulled over once. :)
Well, I feel better already!!! Ooooh, a Cherry red Mustang!
DeleteSure, I really can't guess which one of you had terrible migraines... That's a beautiful car, Robin. I'd love to take it for a spin. Your Mom has great taste, as do you, I tell you that. A Buick.... Santa?
ReplyDeleteWow, you and your Mom drive as much as I do! My '05 had 180,000 plus as well and needed replacing. I found a brand new car that was super cheap and seemed like it would work. I'm taking it to Carmax next week to sell it most likely. I got such a deal on it that it bluebooks for more than I actually paid and man do I NOT like it, so somehow I think there's a reason it was such a deal. It's a smaller car and drives like a truck and me and my less than tall husband both hit our heads on it all the time. Gets good mileage and that's a plus though. Just got caught up in needing something without enough time to really look. You guys did way better! Lots of changes coming soon so I guess the car can go too! Psst... I should know more by not this Tuesday, but the next.
ReplyDelete