RIP Mazda Pickup Truck

I knew this day would come.   My faithful 18-year-old Mazda pickup truck, which has served as a moving van, landscaping vehicle, book hauler, and even dog washer, has wheezed its last bit of exhaust in my care, thanks to a faulty transmission.

Oh, I could pay to have the transmission fixed, a repair likely to cost in excess of $1000, which would get the truck back on the road.  However, the truck leaks like a sieve, including some fluids that I don’t even recognize.  I live in constant fear that the truck will overheat, thanks to a defective coolant system that no amount of money can seem to fix.  Plus, the ever present clicking of valves as I accelerate from 0 to 60 in about five minutes leaves me calculating the odds of making it home, or being stuck on the side of the road.

In short, I always said that I would keep the truck until I had to take it out and shoot it.  Well, folks, I think it’s time to load my gun.

As much as losing my long-time companion depresses me, it does present an opportunity to acquire a new, or at least newer, vehicle.  Thanks to a small inheritance from my mom, who passed away last year, I have the ability to pay cash for vehicle, within reason, of course.

You’re probably asking yourself how this relates to selling online.  I’m glad you asked.

We currently use our second vehicle, a Honda CR-V, as our book hauling vehicle, and trust me, we have hauled many, many books.  In fact, I think it permanently sits a little lower now thanks to the weight.  Also, we have filled it up more than once on Saturdays during peak yard sale season now that I am thrifting with both Amazon (media) and eBay (non-media) in mind.   I hate having to return home to empty the car, and then head back out again.

So, after much consideration, I am in the market for a Barry’s Bookmobile, a vehicle that not only can haul my Saturday yard sale bounty, but also pine straw for the yard, guy stuff from Home Depot, and the dogs to the vet.

My first inclination is a Ford Transit Connect. 

I’m sure you’ve seen these strange-looking little vans on the road.   Built for the business customer, the little vans get decent gas mileage, are easy to drive (a prerequisite for Ella), and have a huge amount of cargo space.

My other idea is to get a used pickup truck, and put a camper shell on the back. It would be cheaper, and probably carry just as much.

Since I am fairly anal retentive about big money decisions, I will probably debate this for a while, or at least until Ella gets home, and we need a second vehicle.

However, if you have some ideas about my next Barry’s Bookmobile in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you.