Do You Remember Blue Truck?

7/11/2015

It's been a while since I wrote about Blue Truck. All is well with the machine, but it's not looking so fancy these days. BT is now fifteen years old with just over 122,000 miles.

A rare visit home - Blue Truck doesn't usually get to sleep in the neighborhood.

BT's motor still purrs like a kitten, and its tires are solid, but its paint job is getting pretty sad. BT is starting to look like that middle-aged gentleman whose hair has receded a bit. I am so short that I can't see the hood or roof of Blue Truck, so the peeling paint doesn't usually bother me.

Blue Truck got to come home with me this week for a little bit of pampering. I got the oil changed which included checking the tire pressure and replacing the air and fuel filters. BT then got a fill up and a run through the car wash.

With Blue Truck still parked out in front of the house, I hopped onto Ford's Build Your New Truck! website. I clicked this, and I clicked that, and before I knew it, the perfect truck was sitting there smiling back at me. I've gone through this before, but every time I hit the calculate payment button, I just back away slowly.

My choices don't include leather seats or GPS or even a seat warmer. I just want a truck that's pretty similar to what I've got without the peeling paint. I also wouldn't mind having at least a few types of modern accessories. Is it too much to ask to be able to sync my phone or check the outside temperature?

When I see the price tag - $50,000, I pause. And then when I see the $850 payment for 60 months, I shake my head and ask Blue Truck if it would like some more shade or a cold can of oil. $185 for an afternoon of pampering seems like a complete bargain.

Judy

7/11/2015 12:14:40 am

I understand completely! I remember when I bought my little red Subaru that I commented how I just wasn't really a "car person" and would be happy if it would last twenty years. The realization hit me recently that that was 18 years and about 250,000 miles ago! I attempted to brag about it, but your Dad reminded me his Dodge is twenty years old and still going strong.....maybe genetics play a small part here Karen, lol!

Bakersfield Dressage link

7/12/2015 12:21:58 am

So funny! I am not really into cars either, but I would sure love some of the newer features of a new truck. I also have my eye on the Nissan Juke - cutest car EVER! My truck is old and my car is getting there (10 years). Sean bought his X-terra when I bought my car - he's now on his SECOND Raptor which means he's had three cars to my one. I wouldn't mind all of those fancy bells and whistles, but I just can't stand paying for them.

There must be something to your genetics theory! :0)

Jodi Perkins link

7/11/2015 07:00:53 am

I do the same thing. It's insane how expensive new trucks have gotten. It'd be nice to have a brand new shiny truck, but it's a little hard to justify when the one you have runs perfectly fine.

7/12/2015 12:16:50 am

The only reason I hanker for a new truck is because I am afraid that my current truck will have trouble while I am traveling south toward LA. Breaking down on the grapevine with a horse in tow is my number one worry. But then I see newer trucks broken down, and I pat BT's dash and say, Thank you!

Yeah ... hard to justify new when old is going just fine. :0)

emma link

7/12/2015 07:23:01 am

i get the same feeling whenever i sit in a shiny new truck (like the enormous fancy super duty that towed my sedan a few weeks back...), but then i remember that my current truck is paid off and still going very strong at 200k+ miles. i'll just stick with that for now, thanks very much!

Kelly link

7/15/2015 11:21:03 pm

I am with you! My 1999 F250 is still going strong at 270,000+ miles - and is my daily driver. Love that truck :) I tell my husband it will last forever...he just shakes his head at me. You can not beat no truck payment!

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Not-So-Speedy Dressage