The fleet grows

[68C15]

for the last few years I've been thinking of downsizing my wife's car. She has a 99 Tahoe and we just don't need something that size anymore. I'm also toying with the idea of downsizing the boat. We don't use it as much on big water. And it's getting to be a hassle. I just want to be able to pop into some smaller lakes, ones with crude or even no ramp at all. Something in the 14' range in a V hull aluminum with small engine.

Combine the new boat needs with not needing a full size SUV has put me in search mode. Being biased towards Honda I was looking at a CRV but the prices are scary. My next option is a Ford Escape. Those are closer to my price range but I've never got serious about it. Just been keeping my eyes open for a deal.

Then on Friday I found a screaming deal. A customer brought in his blue 2005 Escape for a complaint of right front wheel toe out. The guy next to me brought it in and found the "K" frame that the control arms mounts to is rusted clear through. After they figured parts and labor the customer said he will just sell it for junk. My ears perked right up.

I made a few calls and found a good frame for $100. The labor time is 7.1 hours, I can probably do it in 4. I went over the car with a fine tooth comb, no other structural rust. It's got 162,000 miles and a near new set of decent tires all around. Just a couple stains on the seats, no biggie for me. By this time the customer was gone and I tried calling him with no answer.

The other tech had parked it outside while I finished what I was doing on another car. That's when I went outside to look it over a bit more. Wouldn't you know it, the customer pulled up to get his daughter's possessions out of it and take plates off. I chatted with him for a bit and asked if he was interested in selling it to me. He called scrap guy's from the paper and was quoted $86/ton. I tossed him an offer for $200 and he took it. Next weekend I'll be swapping the frame if anyone want to come help.

Then I called my wife, reluctantly. I laid out my plan. She can drive the Accord and I'll drive the Escape. We'll sell the Tahoe and boat, then buy a smaller boat. She said, and I quote, "That sounds good except for one small problem. I'll be driving the Escape, not you". Oh crap! At least it will be easier to walk around this than the Tahoe in the garage. But she said I do get to use it for hunting. I suppose I better look for a blood trapping cargo mat.

Who wants to buy a 99 Tahoe and/or 1969 Alumacraft Jamaican 15' boat with Mercury 50hp?

Oh, one more thing. I told a friend about this. He said the guy who parks his 14' aluminum V hull boat in his lakehouse garage is ready to sell, cheap

[YBNORML]

My wife also downsized from a Tahoe to a 2005 Escape. She absolutely loves it. I hated to see the Tahoe go as I am almost 6-5" tall. But it has been a very reliable vehicle for her. I just try and avoid long trips in it. Im sure your wife will love it, much easier to park!!

[Andy4639]

Trader's... I will never sell my 08 Tahoe to get a Ford, never! A Traverse maybe but not no Ford!
I'll walk before I buy a ford.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Trader's... I will never sell my 08 Tahoe to get a Ford, never! A Traverse maybe but not no Ford!
I'll walk before I buy a ford.

There is only one proper response to this

HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE!!! She lets me do whatever I please when it comes to my truck obsession, therefore if she wants a Ford, she can have one.

[special-K]

Sounds like your fleet is shrinking . Still one boat and one SUV, but both downsized. I'd love to have a downsized vehicle. My problem is anything downsized would have to be secondary to one full-size for work. If I only run one it has to be able to do it all. But most of the time it's just me and some tools that a mini truck could handle

[El Dorado Jim]

I'm not a Ford fan, but wow you got a great deal!!!!!

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

There is only one proper response to this

HAPPY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE!!! She lets me do whatever I please when it comes to my truck obsession, therefore if she wants a Ford, she can have one.

Don't take what I said seriously, just messing with you. Agree happy wife happy life. My wife is a GM gal though! Thank goodness! That's why I used the Treverse as my example. She loves it.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

Don't take what I said seriously, just messing with you. Agree happy wife happy life. My wife is a GM gal though! Thank goodness! That's why I used the Treverse as my example. She loves it.

No worries, I totally understood what you were saying.

[68C15]

Fat chance on seeing a GM newer than 2003 in my yard.

I wanted to drive the Escape for the same reason as the wife. Easier to get in and out. It looks like I'll have to sell the Accord and start driving my 68 again. Oh wait, that won't fit in my garage

[special-K]

Time for the garage to grow

[treveiger]

Nice find. It seems like mechanics always get lucky on the vehicle finds. Crvs have crazy prices. Almost as bad as diesel trucks. I love my civic though, definitely worth the price so far.

In all honesty downsizing your stuff always feels good. After a while taking care of everything gets old and tiring.

[Andy4639]

I turn 57 this year and added 3 vehicles to my fleet last year.

I'm paying insurance on 7 vehicles! If and when I do retire I will downsize because we will probably move to the beach house full time. I have no garage are shop there. That will be several more years though!

[mike1971c10]

Guys, I know how you feel. My wife was having a problem with backing her Dodge pick up
so I bought her a Treverse and she loves it. Now all I hear is , boy I wish I still had my Dodge,
I just can't win
mike

[Andy4639]

My wife wanted a smaller vehicle also that's why she liked the Traverse over the Tahoe.

per the GM specs though the Wheel base is 2" longer on the Traverse.

Traverse: 118.90
Tahoe: 116.00

Over all they are the same.
203.

[YBNORML]

My wife works at a hospital and parks in a parkade, although he had no issues parking the Tahoe, it was when it was time to leave that she would have an issue. She spent a lot of time trying to squeak past some other vehicle who's owner couldn't park straight if their life depended on it.