It will happen tomorrow...the next day at the latest. My 1997 Toyota Avalon will reach its half-life; 150,000 miles. I say half-life because I believe that it should reach 300,000 if it gets the kind of maintenance it should, and does, get. I've maintained it quite well over the years, changing its fluids regularly, ensuring that every service it's supposed to receive has been done, replacing worn parts...and cursing the costs of doing so every visit to a mechanic.
The question, of course, is whether I will curb my appetite for something newer, flashier, with better mileage and with a lower volume of noxious planet-murdering-emissions for another ten years. I doubt that I will...but I have to wonder if my rationale that a newer car will have better emission controls is valid. Well, I don't have to wonder...it's a very, very shady argument. See, I realize the old Avalon won't simply stop emitting bad vapor when I sell it. In fact, I have to assume that the buyer will not be as anal as I have been about maintenance...so its emissions will probably get worse as it ages.
I dunno...I guess I'll just have to play it by ear to see how long I am able to curb my appetite for a newer vehicle. I'm hoping that I do not post an announcement of a newer-car purchase within the month...or even within the year. I'm allergic to car payments...that might be just the tonic that will save me from the bug.
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