Car Talk.....Feb. 5th

.....While I have nothing to contribute to the chatter about the Superbowl, here is an earful about cars. Parked in my driveway is a totally operational 2000 Dodge Stratus that is deserving of a new owner. It certainly has character and a great story to tell. To thoroughly enjoy its driving experience, you must first dig out from your basement, those old tape cassettes. I recommend James Taylor. This is perfect if you have a tired, cranky passenger who will benefit from the rocking back and forth of the broken front passenger seat …guaranteed to lull them into a dream state, so they won’t even ask how it broke in the first place.

In hot weather, driving this car gives you justification for throwing your hair up in a schrunchy and wearing as little as possible (including that skirt which you think may be a little too short.) You see, the air conditioner needs to be re-charged, and two of the power windows don’t open. You’ll sweat so much, those extra pounds will melt right off!

Within its 155,000 miles, it’s only been pulled over by the police 2 times. I talked my way out of both tickets (once for speeding and the other for driving while talking on my cell phone). Because I am not sure if you have the skills that will result in the same outcome, I suggest not talking on the phone when driving. This is extremely dangerous! Your temptation will be made easier if you know that if you plug the cell phone charger into the lighter, the fuse will trip, and your horn won’t work.

Along the passenger side (I honestly can’t recall at the moment if its front or back) there is a dent that recalls a great memory from Forsythe Park’s autumn festival where we listened to music, fed a bull, took a hayride, scurried through a maze, etc. As we walked back to the car, this well dressed woman in a fancy SUV was leaving me a note on my car…to make a long story short…she gave me $400. Sweet!

Despite all of these issues, this car has traveled with me and has never ever broken down. Yes, we’ve had the occasional flat tire because I wasn’t careful, but I have been faithful with getting its oil changed, tires rotated, etc. So, I am conflicted about selling it. When my offer to give it to someone for free was surprisingly rejected, it occurred to me that I might actually have to sell it.

So now I am considering parking it next to the high school. There is no doubt that a student who has been mowing lawns each summer to save up for a car would appreciate this good set of wheels….they might be more prone to skip class or make out on a dead end street, but at least they would have a good story to tell. $1345 or best offer.