The long and arduous saga has come to a close as we have finally entered the ranks of Avy owners. My daughter got her license last year and started driving my winter/hockey which meant I needed a news to me winter ride. We also decided we wanted a vehicle better suited for camping than anything we currently own. After contemplating this and considering that we decided back in early December that the Swiss Army Pocket Knife of automobiles was the best fit, and so the search began. From Cincinnati, we made trips to Columbus & Dayton, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Louisville, KY; Bristol TN and numerous local places. My wife and daughter even drove one up in Grand Rapids, MI while there for a hockey tournament. We really wanted that one but missed it by a few bucks to another person.
Finally, about two weeks ago, I find one up in Brunswick, OH, just south of Cleveland. "This better be the one because I am sick of wasting my time and going on all these wild goose chases!" Well, we get up there and the thing is as clean in person as it is on the dealer's web site. Shiny, not a hint of rust or even a paint bubble. Hmm, good first sign. We take it for a spin and it drives nice. Very clean inside and out. It was the nicest one by far that I have looked at. My wife and daughter still liked the Grand Rapids one a little bit better but this one was right up there with it. It was a little cleaner even than the GR one so all is good. OK, let's go for it - and not lose out on another one.
Time to talk price. Well, doesn't that just figure. Others are lining up to look at it as well and the dealer had to replace a $700 part that he was expecting to to be $200. No budging on price. Even though it's over our initial budget, it is NICE. We already lost out to one by being penny wise and pound foolish. What the heck, let's do it.
Which brings us to here and now. After six months of non-stop we finally picked up the Bumblebee yesterday and brought it home. We are out of money so there are no mods in the foreseeable future other than full time Ambers. Time to pack it up for a camping trip to Acadia National Park in a few weeks and put her to work.
For your viewing pleasure...
Finally, about two weeks ago, I find one up in Brunswick, OH, just south of Cleveland. "This better be the one because I am sick of wasting my time and going on all these wild goose chases!" Well, we get up there and the thing is as clean in person as it is on the dealer's web site. Shiny, not a hint of rust or even a paint bubble. Hmm, good first sign. We take it for a spin and it drives nice. Very clean inside and out. It was the nicest one by far that I have looked at. My wife and daughter still liked the Grand Rapids one a little bit better but this one was right up there with it. It was a little cleaner even than the GR one so all is good. OK, let's go for it - and not lose out on another one.
Time to talk price. Well, doesn't that just figure. Others are lining up to look at it as well and the dealer had to replace a $700 part that he was expecting to to be $200. No budging on price. Even though it's over our initial budget, it is NICE. We already lost out to one by being penny wise and pound foolish. What the heck, let's do it.
Which brings us to here and now. After six months of non-stop we finally picked up the Bumblebee yesterday and brought it home. We are out of money so there are no mods in the foreseeable future other than full time Ambers. Time to pack it up for a camping trip to Acadia National Park in a few weeks and put her to work.
For your viewing pleasure...