Palm Trees in southern Florida

Monday, April 3, 2017

Regrets

I'm 64 years old and there are a few things I did, or didn't do, in my lifetime that I regret. Not a lot but some.

Today I was in a parking lot and I was reminded of one of my few regrets.
It's even green...



A VW diesel Rabbit



Back in 1981 or so I almost bought a brand spanking new VW Rabbit, metallic green, four doors, manual transmission & a diesel engine.

I was in the dealers office with the paperwork in front of me, the pen was in hand, sign my name & drive away. That new car smell AND 50 miles per gallon.


I was actually holding the pen...


I looked at the $121 a month payment (yes, one hundred twenty one dollars) and said to myself, "I can't spend that much money on a car!".

I put the pen down and walked away...

Whenever I see a VW Rabbit I always remember that day and I always regret not signing that paperwork.

There are worse regrets to have.... but still.




10 comments:

  1. Give yourself credit at least you had the guts to walk away. Many of us if found in a similar situation would have signed and been car poor for four years.

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    Replies
    1. Ya but... for the last 36 years (almost) every time I've seen a diesel Rabbit I've thought about that day.
      As it's turned out I've never bought myself a new car.
      Who knew?

      Delete
  2. That was my daughter's first car (diesel engine and manual trans -- I taught her how to use the clutch). She worked at McDonald's and paid for half of it and we paid the other half. After a while, it would overheat and my daughter (never saying anything to me) would just pull over and let it cool until the light went out :) Eventually the coolant level got so low that it was below the sensor and the light didn't come on anymore -- problem solved! Of course, it overheated and warped the head. The tolerances on those engines are so tight that most mechanics won't touch 'em -- just three different head gaskets depending on how much you *think* might make a seal. There's not enough extra meat to machine the block . . . maybe a tiny bit from the head as I recall -- with the thicker gaskets taking up the slack. But good for 300,000 easy if you don't overheat 'em :)

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  3. Too bad about losing her engine like that.
    Later on I had tow different Rabbits, one gasoline & one diesel both very used Chicago cars (rust). I never had any serious mechanical problems but the rear suspension rusted away.
    I'd buy a Rabbit today if it was the right price & rust hadn't eaten the underside.

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  4. if that is your major regret you have led a good life. I just as soon forget my first forty years - many regrets.

    I actually did a post on the cars I have owned: 24 counting the present RAV-4. The VW diesel, however, is one that I missed.

    Cars today all look alike - they run well, but no class.
    I would have liked a GTO.
    the Ol'Buzzard

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've damn few regrets and one of them is not buying that Rabbit, you're right about that being a good thing!

      I'm not even going to dwell on buying that old mobile home instead of putting up a pole barn up in Minnesota...

      Thanks for the comments!

      Delete
  5. I had a diesel Caddy coupe I bought used many years ago. It was an '84 model I think. Absolutely no power for hills or passing, but got 19 mpg. I compiled a list of all vehicles I've owned since 1971 on my blog site. Only bought new 3 times. Never again.

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  6. When you were not comfortable with the deal it was right to walk away at that time. Later it might be a good deal but at that moment it was not. Follow that gut feeling!

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  7. Look at the bright side. No car loan. I took one and only one car loan about 1979 and after seeing what I had to pay in interest, I said never again. Shopped only used cars for cash after that. I had a 1980 VW Golf diesel I got cheap in the early 90s. Cheap on gas and not a bad ride. Didn't keep it long, flipper it for a fast profit. Already had a small car running good and easy on gas.

    Nice story.

    Kind regards,
    Mike

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  8. I should've put the pen down..I am in the middle of a seemingly never ending car loan!! It's never too late...maybe a green rabbit is still in the cards.

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