Prior to 2002 I was driving a leased vehicle, but that lease ran it's course, and at the end of January that year it was time to return the vehicle and make a purchase, so David told me to 'go find the vehicle you want'. And so I went a test driving here and a test driving there and decided that the vehicle that felt the best in an SUV was the Nissan Pathfinder. I mean, most of us know when a vehicle fits us, and the Pathfinder fit me. I had thought I wanted a Toyota 4-Runner, but it didn't have as much get up and go when my foot was on the gas, and I loved the look of the Jeeps at that time but had heard many people tell tales of woe regarding the style I liked 'always in the shop for repairs'. And so.... the Pathfinder was the one for me and I have loved it and never looked back at my choice.
We paid the Pathfinder off after only two years since we came into a bit of extra cash upon selling our house in Maryland.
I have now had this 'Cream Puff' (a term my dad gave to trouble free vehicles driven by girls) for a bit over fourteen years, and it still looks and drives like the day I brought it home from the dealership, other than a wee bit of wear on the carpeting and one area that needs replacing on the side of the driver's side leather seat.... the one where my fat fanny sits. It's taken a beating.
Here's my little cream puff, both of us fourteen years older and both with a few more miles under our feet.
Two years ago a young man eye-balled her at the car wash but I had to let him know that 'she's not for sale, and this past week when I had her at a Nissan dealership to have some free re-call items taken care of as well as her regular oil change done, the gentleman behind the counter was very impressed with her. He said he and his wife had had a 2004 Nissan Pathfinder and traded theirs in when gas prices rocketed sky high a few years ago.... something they still regret having done.
It's hard now to find a mid sized SUV. Seems most of them are now so large as well as unaffordable for many people.... $40-$50 thousand dollars.
My little cream puff might not be perfect, but she gets me where I'm going, has less than 85,000 miles on her, and is the envy of a few young men around the area. Oh, yes... it crosses my mind to trade her in for something newer, but those thoughts are fleeting and I ask myself, 'why?'.
What's the old saying?
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"
This little honey and I are not done with one another yet and she still shines brightly in my eyes.
This little cream puff is not for sale....
No deal.
How about you? Did you ever have a favorite vehicle, or one you still regret having let go?
