My Bucket List Truck

[Uffda]

I've always wanted a Land Cruiser and Saturday I picked up a super clean 2000 in Waco, Texas. It had the best Carfax I've ever seen with every 15K service and extra oil changes. With 97K miles it just had the big major service with new timing belt. Coming from a salted-roads state it is strange to look at a chassis where you can still see paint. I am hoping the finish is not worn off under the ugly fender flares but can live with them if I have to. I need to put in new burl wood trim, replace the radio, new tires and probably a new ignition lock and it should be ready for another 100K easily. I love it except for the mileage. Now I have to sell some vehicles as I have four with a two car garage. Our next blizzard will be great fun.

Drove 20 of 24 hours the first leg home. Bought a GPS and pressed "Go Home." It took me the wrong way into the boonies of New Mexico. So I turned the traitor off and used good old paper maps. It's a helluva drive to Mpls, but can't ask for more comfy way to go.

Photo of 2001 identical to mine except for chrome wheels.

[TA Forbes]

Nice!

[Tom Hamilton]

That's pretty nice. You should be able to load up some consoles very easily in the back. Maybe two if they're small. Good luck with it. Tom

[Uffda]

Thanks TA and Tom. I pulled out the third row seats and with the middle row folded forward it has lots of room. I'm glad it has a tailgate like the Element I sold. I could get a sofa in there.

My sister loves her new GPS. The traitor works fine for her. I'm sticking with trusty paper maps until the gadgets become geezer friendly. An app with synthesized celebrity GPS voices would sell millions. I want Dinah Shore -- "Oh sugah pie, I fear y'all are past yoah exit. Recalculating."

[Ron Ramirez]

Phil - Congratulations on your purchase!

I don't have a "bucket list" vehicle, but I think my next vehicle purchase will probably be a truck. I've always preferred cars to trucks, but I don't care for the style of most cars anymore, and a Mustang, Challenger or Camaro isn't practical for hauling radios.

[Uffda]

I used to be a car guy, but as my performance jones waned trucks grew in their appeal. Fifties Chevy pickups and pre-'73 Suburbans are my favorites, but I learned about money pits with my old Power Wagon. I am no mechanic so now I look for reliable, cool but semi-modern vehicles. This past year I have bought three vehicles and am currently selling my third. Might have to get a dealers license. Except they make a profit, right?