A New Blessing in the Form of a New Car

Over the past few months I've learned that my SUV (a 2000 Ford Explorer) was going on the blink. It had an engine problem that was estimated at $2,000-4,000 to repair. Well, the poor old thing has 175,000 miles on it, it is 7 years old and I couldn't justify spending that much money on such a car. However, I was content with the vehicle and enjoyed driving it very much. But, I was getting rather nervous taking it on trips, and being a minister, I do travel quite a bit.

My former car gave me trouble in January '06, I had it repaired, the problem reappeared in October '06, I had it repaired. It reappeared in March '07, I had it repaired, the problem reared its ugly head last week, I had it repaired and the same day the problem came back. The problem, a cracked valve of sorts that I don't know, but the symptom was blown spark plugs. They were lasting about 10 months, then 6 months, then 2 months, then 1 day. Well, it cost about $25 each time I had it replaced, which was fine for a bi-annual repair, or even bi-monthly, but not daily!

So I was trying to decide what to do. Either fix this car, deal with the problem a while longer, or begin looking at new vehicles. I've already said I was content, and truly I was. Until Sunday night when I went looking at new cars. It happened. New car fever. Careful, it is contagious. After I purchased my new one yesterday, I drove to Brother Paul and Sister Barb's house to show them, and suddenly Barb (who before was content with her car) wanted a new car! :-)

So I looked and looked, then went online for quotes, and had a man call from a Cadillac dealership in St Louis yesterday morning. So I went over, thinking I'd test drive several, not really thinking I'd come home with a new (or new to me) car.

THE RESULT:

A 2007 Chevrolet Impala. This one is slightly used with 22,000 miles on it. I had the choice of white, charcoal gray and black. My Explorer was white, so I was a little tired of white. The Impala I saw on Sunday was the charcoal gray and I thought I'd buy it - but when I saw the black, I just liked it, A LOT! I know, I know, it will be hard to keep clean, but it is pretty!

I am thankful that the Lord provided, and now as I depart for Nashville for Bethel's meeting, I won't have to worry about the engine conking out on the drive down, I trust!