I am considering the fact that I will buy one more car before I die, and
with limited funds, have set my goal at $20,000. Not a lot of money in today’s
market, but only if you are buying new. For about $20k you can get anything
from cheapo Toyota, Ford Focus, various Nissans, and other sedans we recognize
as rental cars. Good cars, but not the one you want to impress anyone with. Or
be buried in. But yet that is what the market has to offer-unless you get
creative and look at pre-owned, the trendy word for used. For $20 you can find
lots of cool cars, with low miles and in great shape, if you are patient and
have the time to be patient. I have both, sometimes. But for example how about
a Corvette, maybe 10-15 years old with low miles for under $20? Mustang
convertibles for less than $10k? Like Chevies, used Camaros a little bit more?
Top up or top down, anything with cool to it has to be better than a new rental
car. For instance, did you ever beg your dad to buy the blue sedan? No-and
that wasn’t what was in the showroom-it was red, and usually had its top down.
At Chevy it would be a Corvette, red with lipstick interior, any questions on
what color that was? Ford would have you salivating over a Mustang, Pontiac in
a Firebird, and Dodge in a Challenger. All with the top down, just begging you
to take a ride and see if you couldn’t live without it. And today many of these
cars can be bought for the same price as a new rental car, used of course. And
will start to appreciate, they have hit the bottom of the depreciation cycle,
that your new rental car has just begun. Some at auctions, some in Autotrader,
and some parked by the side of the road. Mileage may vary, but buy the best one
with the lowest miles, and maybe pay a little more, and drive it, just like it
was intended for. But sadly most go the safest course, and miss out on all the
fun. Maybe that explains all the grey, black, and white cars. And people.
Remember Marina blue Chevelles? Roman red Galaxies? Ever put your buns on the
black and white hounds tooth seats of an Rally Orange Camaro? Gripped the wheel
behind a hood full of horsepower-damn the MPG. And any girl who would rather
ride with the guy in a Prius probably isn’t worth taking home to mother.
Growing up it was blonds in convertibles, having fun, no particular place to
go. The beach, mountains, or just a cruise. Nobody with any cool went to the
mall, these cars cried out for outdoors in the fun sun....and they still can and
do today. What does your heart cry out for?
While a service advisor for KIA, a lady brought hers in and wanted a rental
car. Our service manager told her “you own a rental car.” No such mistaken
identity in a shiny red sports car. See who gets the best treatment, and the
loaner car. While others brag about miles per gallon, you brag about smiles per
gallon. And you never get asked to car pool, let someone else’s kids mess up
their car, but yet ask the kids whose car they rather ride in? Hmmm, maybe
there still is hope for this generation. And just like those who own a house at
the beach, or a built in pool, they get more friends than they could ever dream
of. So come on America, let’s go out and have fun, top down, pedal to the
metal, and smoke them BFG’s. And never have your son or daughter afraid to pick
them up at school. Grandpa-you’re the coolest and your grandkids will know it,
and tell their friends. Cruisin’ Grand-would you ever date a guy in a Prius?
Leave the golf carts at home-this is all about real America iron, real
horsepower, and real value. This is what every kid dreamt of in school, and
begged his dad to buy. And for the price of a new compact, you too can join the
fun. And what is fun if you don’t enjoy it?
Now I have only owned three 4-door cars in my life, and each one was
replaced with something cool, with more power. The Escort, traded for a
Citation X-11, big power and handling for 1981. Bought used. The Mazda 626,
sold and replaced with a 1980 MGB. Overdrive, Theresa used to put our son in
his car seat and cruise. And finally Uncle Buck, my 1990 Crown Vic, bought for
winter use, and sold to a kid, who loved it. And never replaced, we already
have a Mustang convertible in the garage. So see, there is forgiveness for
wrong decisions, and one bad choice can be corrected by one good choice.
A lesson seldom taught about Peter is that he never looked back. He made
many mistakes, but kept going forward. He was all about the power of the holy
spirit, and even after denying Jesus, some 7 weeks later at Pentacost changed
the world. Powered by the holy spirit. Walk on water, he fell in, got up, and
was immediately on shore with Jesus. He knew firsthand the importance of being
forgiven, and not looking back. Maybe Lot’s wife was an influence. Yet I
encounter many today who have slipped up, and cannot forgive themselves,
sometimes aided by others who will not forgive them either. No matter your
situation, and no matter who you have to blame, turning to Jesus is the best
first step. He is the way out, and is willing to forgive you. And sometimes
forgiving another is your first step out of your problem. And sometimes it
takes breaking out of the accepted practices, and being bold, and trusting God.
It takes meekness, power under control. Knowing when to nail the throttle WFO,
or to feather it. To burn rubber, but not your soul. When to show off and when
not to....and to remember that someone is always watching. It takes boldness,
and when you give God the glory, you get the blessing. And God knows a thing
about cars and cool too...
Moses and Aaron both had Rods. Cruised them for 40 years. Pontiacs and
Geos-God tells us to pursue our enemies with a Tempest, and terrify them with a
Storm. David in Psalm 23 tells us thy Rod comforts us. No mention of a four
cylinder here, he was turbo charged. And God didn’t drive no rental car, for in
the garden He drove Adam and Eve out in a Fury. For all you MOPAR fans. Bet it
was white, with white vinyl, no leather yet. And even Jesus may have rented a
Honda, for He tells us He speaks not of His own Accord. So you see Jesus was
cooler, and is cooler than you may think. And forgiveness is cooler yet.
But one secret remains that many have not known for years. WWJD meant to
the world “what would Jesus do?” But really it stood for “what would Jesus
drive?” And as today still have a plastic Jesus on their dash, He still resides
in the heart. And I would like to think when he returns, it will not be in a
four door sedan. Or Hybrid, no hybrids in heaven, either you are saved or ....
But He will return with a mighty Ram’s horn blast. And never forget how cool
was King David, his Triumph was heard through out the land. So maybe you are
what you drive, and the deals are out there. But never forget the best free
deal, with an endless warranty, and no payments will always be the gift of
salvation. What will it take to put you with Jesus today? Still wondering what
would Jesus drive, He is in any car you are. But personally, I hear that He has
been looking at this red Corvette, low miles, V-8, and super clean...only driven
to church on Sundays. So, you still wonder where have all the red convertibles
gone?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
