Well, I have received official word today that it is time to say goodbye to my car. For those that don't know (most, probably), I was involved in a traffic accident last Monday (the 18th). Details are still unclear, but I was going straight though a light that was changing to yellow when a vehicle turned left in front of me. The other driver claimed the turn arrow was on. I didn't think my light was red.
Let's just say that when a Chrysler Sebring t-bones a Range Rover, neither vehicle comes away real well. At least the occupants of both vehicles were fine. The Range Rover no doubt will be repaired.
My car, it turns out, not so much. The car was
actually driveable after the accident, although I am not sure I would have wanted to try. That, and I am not entirely sure that the transaxle assembly is still in good condition. But either way, I will not be driving a 2004 White Chrysler Sebring anymore.
This is bringing a bigger sense of loss than I had expected. No, the Sebring was not a great car. But it was for the most part a dependable car. It gave me very few problems. And it drove well, had a decent sound system, and didn't go through too much gas.
I stil think that my best memory of the vehicle was the day I decided to mulch the flower bed. My wife had her own errands to run, and she left in the SUV. I happily puttered over to home improvement warehouse in my Sebring. I new what mulch I wanted (Midnight Black), how much I needed (22 bags), and I dutifully found a flat cart and loaded it with mulch. It wasn't until I got past the cashier and started into the parking lot that I realized I had no idea how I was going to get 22 bags of mulch in a sedan.
Amazingly it all fit. The trunk was full of mulch. The back seat was full of mulch. There was even mulch in the front passenger seat. Thankfully, I did not have to resort to holding any in my lap.
I am sure that I overloaded the car that day. But to the Sebrings benefit, it held up to the task admirably. Sure, acceleration wasn't as brisk, but I didn't expect that. I didn't get the suspension bottoming out that I had expected either, though. The only time I drug any part of the car at all was backing into my driveway. The tailpipe scraped (and actually flat-spotted slightly).
So now, all I am left with is my memories of the Sebring, I guess. I will go at some point soon and pull the satellite radio out of it - and maybe the adapter that allowed me to get the satellite radio music into sound system. I need to get the car seat. Other than that, there isn't personal much to be salvalged.
So, what is next for me in the automotive landscape? I haven't a clue. Of course there is a lot that I would like to have. But my eyes are definitely bigger than my wallet. I would love to go back to a convertible. But convetibles tend to be more expensive, and that wallet thing hits again! Plus, I am a little worried about trying to get my daughter in and out (she isn't really strong enough to buckle her carseat straps herself). For the simplicity of hauling the family, a four-door has real appeal.
Guess I will spend Saturday test driving cars now. Not what I had planned, but not the end of the world, either, I guess. Some of my options for vehicles are below. If you have suggestions, even if not included below, feel free to comment!
My car, it turns out, not so much. The car was
actually driveable after the accident, although I am not sure I would have wanted to try. That, and I am not entirely sure that the transaxle assembly is still in good condition. But either way, I will not be driving a 2004 White Chrysler Sebring anymore.This is bringing a bigger sense of loss than I had expected. No, the Sebring was not a great car. But it was for the most part a dependable car. It gave me very few problems. And it drove well, had a decent sound system, and didn't go through too much gas.
I stil think that my best memory of the vehicle was the day I decided to mulch the flower bed. My wife had her own errands to run, and she left in the SUV. I happily puttered over to home improvement warehouse in my Sebring. I new what mulch I wanted (Midnight Black), how much I needed (22 bags), and I dutifully found a flat cart and loaded it with mulch. It wasn't until I got past the cashier and started into the parking lot that I realized I had no idea how I was going to get 22 bags of mulch in a sedan.
Amazingly it all fit. The trunk was full of mulch. The back seat was full of mulch. There was even mulch in the front passenger seat. Thankfully, I did not have to resort to holding any in my lap.I am sure that I overloaded the car that day. But to the Sebrings benefit, it held up to the task admirably. Sure, acceleration wasn't as brisk, but I didn't expect that. I didn't get the suspension bottoming out that I had expected either, though. The only time I drug any part of the car at all was backing into my driveway. The tailpipe scraped (and actually flat-spotted slightly).
So now, all I am left with is my memories of the Sebring, I guess. I will go at some point soon and pull the satellite radio out of it - and maybe the adapter that allowed me to get the satellite radio music into sound system. I need to get the car seat. Other than that, there isn't personal much to be salvalged.
So, what is next for me in the automotive landscape? I haven't a clue. Of course there is a lot that I would like to have. But my eyes are definitely bigger than my wallet. I would love to go back to a convertible. But convetibles tend to be more expensive, and that wallet thing hits again! Plus, I am a little worried about trying to get my daughter in and out (she isn't really strong enough to buckle her carseat straps herself). For the simplicity of hauling the family, a four-door has real appeal.
Guess I will spend Saturday test driving cars now. Not what I had planned, but not the end of the world, either, I guess. Some of my options for vehicles are below. If you have suggestions, even if not included below, feel free to comment!
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