The New Van

Recently, when I started having more van problems, my stepfather, Jack, frustrated with what I was going through, decided to call the company that builds them and find out if any of them are floating around out there right now. What he found out is that this company had just equipped a used van for someone, and that this someone had to back out of the deal at the last minute. So it turns out that one is right there at their company in L.A., and it was available right then.

And it was a beauty.

The "Scott System", the one that works for me, in the available van

What they had was a 2002 Ford E-150 with the Scott System in it. It also only has 30,000 miles on it. It has a lift that’s NOT older than many of the people I work with, and it’s in amazing condition, and it has all kinds of bonuses that only someone driving a van like mine could appreciate.

Like a working stereo (all I’ve ever had is a cheap A.M. radio that shorted out a long time ago).

All of its gears (mine currently does not have “park” as a working gear).

A control system with buttons that don’t stick and that all work, and a brake system that fully functions (my hand-control brakes went bad a couple of year ago, forcing me to switch to the brake pedal to stop).

Its dash lights all light up (half of mine don’t about half of the time). The windows roll down and the air-conditioning works.

The engine doesn’t sputter and die two or three times in the morning before you can drive it, or stall out if you give it too much gas taking off from a stop light.

The lift works without making terrible grinding noises and sometimes needing (literally) to be kicked to function.

The side door actually opens (mine currently can’t which is probably better because it also has a habit of coming open while I’m driving).

In short, it’s a dependable, functional and safe van. And it’s exactly the one I need. And oh my, is it funky.

 

The van that was available. Oh YEAH...

I had to laugh when my stepfather forwarded the e-mail to me with the van photos. Is that the paint job I would have chosen for myself - me, a 37-year old working professional? Probably not. But seeing it, I totally fell in love with it, nonetheless. That van doesn’t just function. It has STYLE. And attitude. I think it’s gorgeous.

Don't call "Pimp My Ride". This one came pre-pimped!

Being a used van, it also didn’t carry quite the same price tag as one of their new ones does. It’s going for right about $50,000 (a little more, due to the fitting and adjustment work that would have to be done to adapt it to me).

Granted, that’s still $50,000 more than I have, but it sure beats the $90k cost of a brand new one. It’s $40,000 less than a new one (which might have been my only option if my van had totally gone under and no used ones were available at that time), and, again, it’s a 2002 with only 30,000 miles.

That means, if I were to get it, that pretty much guarantees me another decade of relatively worry-free driving (for a change), without it going back in the shop time and again and leaving me taking cabs to work while its being fixed.

I still can’t quite fathom that... just getting in my vehicle and starting it and driving without listening carefully to every little new noise and wondering if it’s a noise that means I’m going to be stuck on the side of (or sometimes in the middle of) the road again, calling yet another tow truck (I think AAA knows me by voice now), without wondering if once I get in it I’ll be trapped by a malfunctioning lift (which has happened many times).

Your idea of a dream come true may differ from mine, but this, to me, would be a complete miracle.

However…we’re back to that problem of $50,000.

 

 

Paying Back Grandma

My Grandma stepped in when I was about to miss my only chance to stay mobile and working.

If she hadn't, I would be looking at unemployment and not being able to get around.

She put herself into debt to the tune of $30k just for me. I'd like to pay her back.

Although I work, it isn't exactly a highly paid job. If you can help me, and my Grandma, with a small donation, I would appreciate it very much indeed.

Thank you.