Yesterday's early morning phone call was from Lynn, who blurted a panicky request.
"Paul, can you help me out? My sister is thinking of buying a used car. The piece of crap she's got her eyes on, is reelee scraping the barrell. Can you give her, and me, a hand so she doesn't fuck up?"
"Sure Lynn. No problem. I can be at her place around ten."
Lynn's sister, Lise, was a painter and an artist and was always getting herself into mild trouble. At least, that's the way Lynn would describe things. I think Lise just did things differently than Lynn would have. I met Lise at her home, and we drove to where that USED car was parked.
We headed east into a sketchy part of the industrial park in Ahuntsic. The rusty sign advertising "Slightly Used Cars" was squeezed in between a scrap metal dealer on the right and a grungy aluminum recycling facility on the left.
Not a great first impression, to be sure.
Lise hurriedly rushed out of my car towards that previously owned vehicle she had her eyes on.
"Well, Paul. What do you think?"
I looked at the car of Lise's dreams and didn't quite know what to say. Lynn was right, about concern for her sister's decision-making skills.
The black Honda had more than ten years of wear on it and was dinged up... here and there. By this time, the crusty old seller (wearing overalls and big black winter boots) had strut out to greet us with a set of keys... and a broad smile.
"So, you want to take her out on a test drive? She handles like a charm."
Lise grinned and nodded enthusiastically. I noticed a minor roadblock. "Lise, do you drive stick-shift?"
"No, but I've always wanted to learn," came her cheerful reply.
"Oh, for fucks's sake. Here we go." I thought to myself.
Andre, the seller, handed Lise the keys, who then passed them on to me. "OK, Paul. You drive, and let's go for a spin."
I had to blink a few times at Lise's insistence, but hey, perhaps this car WAS a diamond in the rough.
After starting that car, I couldn't get it to engage in Reverse. Andre reassured me it was because I'd forgotten to put it into "first gear... first." NOT, a good sign. When the tires wouldn't grip the ice, Andre said that all we needed was a set of winter tires... that HE would throw in for free.
When the driver's-side window wouldn't roll down, Andre smiled and mater-of-factly reminded me it was probably frozen from the snow storm we'd had over the weekend, but if we had an indoor garage, THAT would solve that problem.
Then Lise, asked HER question. "How's the radio?"
"Oh, the radio doesn't work. But there's a jack on the console, so you can plug in your phone and play Mp3's."
And THAT — thankfully — was the straw that broke the camel's back and Lise's spirit. She looked at me, frowned and shook her head.
We drove back home in silence... until we'd reached her house.
"You know Paul? I should just get a brand NEW car like Lynn suggested. I mean, I can afford one. It's not as if I have to scrape the bottom of the barrel."
"No Lise, you certainly don't."
That expression was derived from early European history, where people would scrape that barrel to reach the last portions of food that remained stuck there. It implies using the "least desirable elements" — because one has no choice.
It sort of reminds me of some of the blogs on these pages.
This one, perhaps? 😂
How have your experiences been with USED cars or other previously owned items?
Are you scraping the bottom of the barrel on this site... yet? 😶
... this is Lise... more or less...
... I'd feel good in this... . before looking at the sticker-price...
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14 comments
It's interesting i love
Happy to oblige. 👍
I am scraping. Every time I log in here, a little voice says, wow, look at what you reduced yourself to. But then, i find a good guy and y’all make me laugh. So, maybe not scraping but skimming the bottom a little. So, when Brad Pitt messages me, I will be ready.🙄
I'd answer Brad's note as well.
Lately, I've been hooked on Jason Stathom's flicks: he's emulated my hairstyle, and I like his attitude.😶
At least you're getting a chuckle... 😂
No bottom of the barrel cars for me as my legs are my only means of transportation. They tend to break down though the odd time trying to retain traction in our Winter conditions here though..lol. xoxo
Especially THIS winter... Sheesh...
Watch your footing out there. 😲🤗
I have had good luck with used vehicles, furniture and other items. I tend to narrow down what I want, research then move forward with shopping.
Used cars are tricky unless one knows the owner or history of the car, but there are some good ones out there. Research is the way to do it. Good for you. 🤗
I am scraping the bottom of the barrel... of time, yet still savoring every drop
Ooh... profound... and TRUE — for all of us — slowly but surely. 🤗💕
Those are all automatic now you should find reverse easily
True...
I drive standard and love being able to pretend I'm an F-1 driver.
I've rarely owned an "automatic." You?
The stick shift I tried had "Reverse" jammed because the gears were partially stripped. The ONLY way into "Reverse" was if you first shifted into First gear. It's a gear-synchro-mesh-thingy. 😶
That car was messed up.
@Paulxx001 my first 2 cars and truck were stick but today when you buy new are way harder to find
My first couple cars were used - a VW Rabbit and a kinda sporty looking Nissan Sentra. They both ended up getting totaled in car accidents! (neither of which was my fault). Oh wait, also after the Sentra there was a used Subaru wagon.
Since then it's been new cars. Maybe the next one will be slightly used. Cars are getting to be frickin expensive!
You've listed some iconic car brands.
I get a clear picture of each one.
Glad you survived. 🤗
Yeah, I imagine (or hope ) there will be a "Grandfather Clause" for those addicted to gaz.😶
@Paulxx001 Oh, if I buy a used car now it will most likely be a hybrid. One of the things I'm mulling over. Currently I don't feel that the charging infrastructure is good enough for a full electric car, especially since cold weather decreases range.
I might have said that in a couple of years things will be different, but seeing as orange guy supposedly doesn't like electric things I doubt it will get better any time soon.
@smartasswoman
True, about the "cold-weather" range on those electric ones.
In the meantime... I'm keeping my eyes open and asking owners of those electric ones HERE what their experiences are in our winters. 🤔
OK, so the results of my informal poll are in.
Bottom line?
Comments I noted:
People I spoke with gave glowing, "Summer Reviews" but suggested that I wait until they — those cars— and the Montreal infrastructure improve.
Many, suggested I move to Florida.😶
@Paulxx001 thanks for sharing! That agrees with my experience in my current car, which is a 2014 Subaru hybrid. It was their first stab at manufacturing a hybrid and it’s pretty subpar. The way it works is that it won’t go into electric mode until the passenger compartment has been warmed up by the gas engine. Since I do mostly short trips, in practice that means that the car is hardly ever in electric mode during the winter. Right now my average mpg since December is 22.8. 😕
I mean, it’s been over ten years so hopefully the technology has improved since then. I do see a fair number of Teslas around here, but perhaps they’re a family’s second vehicle that’s only being used for local trips and then recharges in the garage at home.
Which, granted, could be me too. It’s very infrequent that I go anywhere more than 40-50 miles away.
@smartasswoman
They, have banned gas cars by thirty-four over here.
I can't see that happening.
Yes, I expect a reprieve.
Aren't there perks with being fifty-one.💕
@Paulxx001 it's a worthy goal anyway. 🤷🏻♀️ I think it would make sense to still allow plug-in hybrids that use electricity for local trips and only use gas on longer trips.
@smartasswoman
I love the roar of a well-tuned engine.
Those elecrticZ will never do it. 😂💕
One thing that living in Monaco tells you is that even people with the flashiest cars on the planet still get stuck in traffic snarl-ups!
I understand what you mean. 👍
The fancy ones here disappear at the first white flakes.
My car, has no such power.
Ever shopped for a car or accompanied a friend?
It can be a fricken blast. 😂
I love the smell of fresh leather in a NEW car.
... is that a fetish...
Below, is how Lise described that Honda to me.
Her perception never touched reality...
... click ALL the pics for a full-sized view...
@OddsAgainst
I don't know about "arroused"... but "eager to see NEW models," would be the best way to describe it. 🤗💕