Well, I know that last year I announced the death of my beloved Sentra and that proved to be premature. Today, however, I make that same announcement with a heavy heart and confirmed accuracy.
After 205,000, my Sentra is beyond repair. A strange noise forced me to seek counsel and it was confirmed that nearly $3000 of repairs would be needed to make her safe to drive. Clinton was president when I bought her. She carries the license plates of my college years. She has the best air conditioning of any car I've driven in the last 20 years. I have had her longer than my daughter.
Alas, I will drive or drag her (depending on her cooperation) to Crazy Ray's to recoup a mere $400 of the money I've invested in her since our relationship started. I will miss her amazing gas mileage. I will miss the ease of whipping around corners and being able to park in spaces no one else would think of. I will miss the confidence I had when driving her in the ice and snow. I will miss having no car payment. I will miss teaching my nephews how a roll up window works and explaining why no lady talks to me from the dashboard.
I look forward, however, to having conversations with my passengers that I can actually hear. I look forward to speakers that work. I look forward to NOT having to wearing a raincoat IN the car when it's raining outside. I look forward to automatic locks.
I ask for privacy as I mourn my friend ;) (but ask that you send me any recommendations for crossover vehicles as I prepare to seek our a new vehicle and hopefully another lasting and dependable relationship.)