[V8] was allroad, now: gone to the dark side

[Roger M. Woodbury]

Well, eventually I just gave up.  My mechanic was brokering an extremely 
nice six or seven year old Toyota somethingorothernotaCamry. Elderly 
lady was no longer driving and it was VERY low miles and pretty cheap:  
$6 grand I think, and miles were less than 30K.

NOPE!  I just couldn't even think about it. Besides it was waaaaaaaaay 
too small for our monthly trips to Sam's Club let alone the lumber yard.

So I searched and what I found in Massachusetts was a 2002 GMC 1500 
extended cab. The truck had been ordered for towing a trailer to Florida 
where it spend all it's winters.  NO rust anywhere, remarkably enough.  
114,000 miles:  5.3 litres, leather interior and heated seats, even the 
goofy ride compensating front shocks. New exhaust and Firestone tires 
and the price was very much right.

Now the truck has been in service here since May and I've put a bit more 
than 6,000 miles on it.  It gets a bit fewer miles per gallon than my 
Audi V8 but considering what it will do, it easily replaces both Audis. 
The V8 is gone, the 100 is still here, registered but permanently living 
in the barn.  I don't know what will happen with the 100 Avant, but it 
will probably go away when we sell this house and move to a smaller one 
which I have yet to build....a whole 'nother yarn that!

So, I'm converted. The truck is smooth, quiet, and considering its size 
and weight, pretty economical.  From ten feet  you'd think it was new.

I wish I had bought it five years ago because what I spent on the V8 and 
the 100 Avant in those years in repairs and maintenance would have paid 
for the truck.

And my truck is black, hence rightfully:  I may be in the dark side now.

Roger