Step two : get a car.

9 February 2013

It’s not that Claire’s Hyundai Excel is bad or anything. But, a) it’s hers, b) she needs it to go to work (waitress at the moment, but sooner or later, geologist) and c) it’s not very reliable as it overheats in traffic and if we can avoid a blown head gasket, that kinda works for us. And since I will be in traffic for work, going from clients to clients, well I need a car.

So, with our bank accounts pretty much at zero, my awesome mother lent us five grand. With that, I went on all websites and found all sorts of crappy cars. The thing is, I still love 4×4, and we still love to get away on WE for camping or hiking or whatever. And if we can, go to remote places and not worry whether the car will make it or not. And, did I mention I love four wheel drives ?

There was a Landcruiser ute

, same age and almost same model as Troopy. (note: ute = Australian idiom for “pick up truck”). It looked okay and the price was right. We HAD to check it out. So off we went, and found out it had been used on a farm most of its life. The exterior was okay but the interior was chewed through with rust, the seats had holes, one door would not open, it was crap. The engine might have been all right but the car itself was on its way out.

Pretty disappointed we headed home, and on the side of the road, there was a car, with a big “4 SALE – 5K” sign. Perfect, let’s pull over and have a look. 1991 Nissan Patrol GQ, with a 3.0l carburator engine, 6cyl petrol no turbo. It was in great condition, had aircon, two new tyres, a stereo, no scratches or dent, perfect. We took the guy’s number and went off.

I dropped Claire out at her job, and went to the owner of the Patrol’s home for a test drive, and bought it pretty much straight away. Thanks Mum, you rock.

PS : pictures will follow when I pick up the car on Tuesday.

Step one : get a job