What was your first cat? What was its value?

Mine was a 1949 red Ford pickup in fair shape for its 20+ years. New it probably sold for $1500. After 2 years, I sold it to a college student eager to restore it to its original beauty. Today’s value might bring him between $6,000 and $22,000. Value – my first wheels; his investment and pleasure. My husband’s first car was a 1947 “much travelled” straight-eight Chrysler New Yorker Club coupe. It was a blue beauty with large white wall tires. Today it might be worth $23,000! Value – transportation and pure joy.

Later I owned a 1961 – 15-year old Chevrolet Bel Air station wagon that cost about $2,800 new. Today it may be worth about $21,000. Value – comfortable, safe transportation that embarrassed my daughters who swore they’d  never own a station wagon & preferred to be dropped off down the street from school. I  have the last laugh – today they both own SUVs – just “punched up” station wagons.

My first new car was a 1978 Chevrolet Chevette hatchback. It was a beauty – cost about $4,000; might be valued today for $6,000 to $33,000. Mine was a lemon. Value – before lemon laws I learned to negotiate with the dealership’s service department quite unwelcoming to a woman in their service bay. After many encounters I drove to the dealer one day after work and said, “I’m not a mechanic. I pay your service department for that skill. It sounds like the  engine is going to fall through to the pavement. Here are the keys; I’m not leaving until you provide something else for me to drive.” After nearly 2 hours I was loaned a pickup. Driving home, the police stopped me. The problem was an “expired license.” Back to the dealership for a different loaner. I was “steamed,” and was sure they were laughing as I drove away.

My real beauty, however, was a Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. I loved the luxury, the style, the gas mileage, & the service department managed by a woman. It had one problem — no spare tire – only a blow up device for a flat. The flat occurred on the Oregon Coast where the only service station was 15 miles away. We limped to a tire shop in Tillamook who didn’t have what we needed but patched ours enough to get us home. We made it home, but it was flat the next morning. When Lincoln roadside arrived, he had me back the car out of the garage so he could load it up for the dealership. To my horror, I was then asked to back it up the truck ramp while he watched the wheels, Next, he says “Climb into climb the truck for the trip to the dealership.”  (I’m wearing a skirt!!). There is more to this story, but the bottom line was a free new tire from Lincoln and a letter from their headquarters apologizing for the inconvenience and assured me that particular roadside service would never work for Lincoln again. Value – check for a spare tire as about 60% of new cars today have none.

After 2 years in a retirement village, we sold my Lincoln & my husband’s Lexus SUV & purchased our current vehicle. Value – we combined our experiences, knowledge, and expertise to make a good deal on a 2-year old car. It comes with all available safety features that we hope will allow us to continue to drive safely for as long as possible.

Note: My husband’s parents did not own a car in Brooklyn NY; they took taxis or subways. My Dad trusted the dealership mechanics to care for his cars. My Mom thought the best perfume was a new car smell. I tend to agree.

Carol Tamparo