Filed under: automobiles
Cars are such a big part of our pop culture. What one drives says so much about who you are – it’s kind of a way for people to judge each other without ever knowing anything about a you. So my Grand AM said what about me? I’m getting older and want a sensible and roomy car that could potentially carry a family. Or I’m a young man and I like the practical side of having a 4 cylinder car but the spoiler on the back says I still know how to have a good time! Or maybe I just got a good deal on a retired rent-a-car. The truth is I was never really that into the Grand AM. It is a good car. Reliable for the 82,227 miles I drove it – except for the last week.
Tuesday I hopped into the Grand AM to head to Copper Star Coffee to get my favorite caffeinated beverage. LARGE, Iced Americano with a bit of white chocolate and a touch of soy. And what should I find? My “independence” won’t start!! Crank, and crank, and crank and nothing. What the hell is going on here?? I decide to remain calm. Well I’ll just go back inside, iron my clothes for later and when I come out it’ll start. Fifteen minutes later it starts alright … it’s running like a 84 Ford F150 that hasn’t had a tune up since the late 80’s. Maybe it just got too much gas and needs to work it out. I start out slowly. I gently ease down on the gas pedal expecting it to balance out and get me to my coffee. To my dismay it does not. It barely wants to move (sort of like me in the morning). I ditch the idea of getting my coffee and head straight to the shop. The Grand AM is reluctant the entire way. Every time I come to a light I pray it stays green because as I slow down I can feel it wanting to give up. A few miles, one wrong turn and here I am at my safe haven. I’ve never used this place before but I bought my first car here 16 years ago so I thought I’d give it a shot. Virginia Auto Service on 7th Street and Virginia near downtown Phoenix. They took care of me and my broken down Pontiac but my faith was not restored as “something” just didn’t feel right even after the repair. I have been wanting to trade for something that is more me so Friday afternoon I ventured out to the very same dealership I bought the Grand AM just over 4 years ago. It didn’t take long to realize I didn’t like the “Vibe” so I excused myself several times and left. I was going to head home but thought let me look at the Scion xB across the street since I’m already out.
A world of difference from the Pontiac dealership to the Toyota / Scion. There was such a relaxed and peaceful environment you hardly knew you were in a car dealership. I took a quick look at the exterior of the locked xB went inside and the managers crunched the numbers. I must have arrived during shift change because right off the bat I went thru 2 salesmen. When I got settled with my new sales rep we sat down and started doing some more paperwork. Now everyone was extremely accommodating and friendly mind you during all this. When the final numbers were in and my gut said “do it” – I asked Ernie, “can I take it for a spin?” He didn’t realized I hadn’t drove it yet because I started with another salesman. At this point I was still skeptical. We drove off the lot pulled over and I hopped into the drivers seat and we took off up the Black Canyon Highway. Now it doesn’t have the power of my Grand AM I notice – It does get almost twice the gas mileage however, so that is a plus!! And it’s a blast to drive. I think it’s taken 10 years off me. The best part is it came with everything I wanted. Keyless entry, mp3 player, plug for an iPod (don’t have one but it’s good to have options), power windows, power locks, power mirrors!! All wrapped up in a hip little package that will seat 4 people very comfortably. You can definitely fit a fifth if necessary and they even have a third shoulder belt in the back seat for the middle passenger. And with the folding seats and hatchback it can carry what ever I might need to carry. The point. It’s great for what I need right now and I don’t have to worry about it breaking down. Also, I’m excited to say I’ve only used a 4th of a tank in the 112 miles I’ve driven.
Kind of sad to let the Grand Am go … It’s a sigh of relief however, to have an economical fun ride like the xB.
