Okay try this one.  How often do you hear of someone buying a new vehicle and then trade it in, and then a few years later buy it back again?  Well I did and my 2000 Ford Focus which I bought new is back home again.  Read more...

And my wife decided that driving the Explorer back and forth to work was just getting to costly, and she was averaging over 100 miles a day in travel.  So she traded it in for something a bit more sporty as well as it being much more fuel efficient.  See below...

The 2007 Ford Fusion

This purchase was a joint decision between my wife and I.  Since Terri took her job at Target back in August 06 she had been driving the Explorer back and forth to work plus picking up a coworker.  If she did no other driving she would put about 115 miles a day on the vehicle and it was adding up fast.  Along with that was the fuel costs since the Explorer is not an economy car. 

So we hit the Internet looking for a car that would be better on gas and cheaper to operate overall.  We were hesitant since the Explorer had a number of nice features and we enjoyed the sense of security that the bigger vehicle gave.  When Terri saw the Fusion on the Web she instantly liked it's style, while I was looking at other smaller SUV's etc.  But since she is the primary driver and I have my truck to pull the camper and do other projects that require a big vehicle I agreed to check it out.

So on Saturday morning March 31st I called my sales rep Harry White at the Ford dealership and said I would like to see what we could do and told him that we pretty much picked out the vehicle they had on the lot the night before via the Internet.  So by noon we had finished the deal and drove home in the Fusion.

Since our purchase both Terri and I have to admit that this car is really great to drive and it really does handle like a sports car.  Also we both have come to really appreciate satellite radio as there are no commercials on most stations plus you get to listen to stations not on the FM side.  Terri listens to Spirit (Contemporary Christian Music) EWTN, and the Catholic channel most of the time and the great part is that the station stays with you no matter where you go.

The 2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat Super Crew

Here is my Story.  I went to pick up my friend and co-worker Dale from the Dodge dealer in town as he was having work done on his truck and needed to leave it for a few hours.  I stopped by, picked him up and started driving out the lot.  Of course I took note of the Ford trucks they had there and looked them over as we drove by.

Ok Dale's truck is ready to go by lunchtime so we went down to pick it up.  I had a few minutes and although resisted at first could not help but to walk over and look at the trucks sitting there.  Well as things would go, I saw it, had to drive it, and after that I was hooked.  Now I had to have it for myself.

A couple of hours later after getting the wife's blessing drove off in my truck all grown up as it should be.  Below are the pictures and details on this unit.

The Details

 The 2000 Ford Focus SE Wagon

I had been asked be my friend Jeff to show him some pictures of my car since he could not visualize the color Autumn Orange.  So I have decided to show pictures of both my car and my wife's van.  

My car is a 2000 Ford Focus wagon, and my wife's van was a 2001 Warner Brothers edition Chevrolet Venture.

I (Tim) have made a change.  On Monday July 29th 2002 I decided I needed a truck.  So I no longer have the Focus. Now don't think I did not love my car, I just wanted a change. I am going to leave my car here as this one did mean a great deal to me as vehicles go.

It's Back!
 

As stated above I loved my little car when I had it and every once in a while I would see it and say "I wish I still had that car."  Now I had not seen the car for about 2 years that I can recall and thought that it went to car heaven, but 3 weeks ago as I was driving to work my eye caught a glimpse of that unique color autumn orange as I drove by. 

At first I thought it was just another vehicle that looked similar in color but as I drove home from work that evening I slowed to get a closer look and wouldn't you know it was my car that I bought new in 2000 sitting on the lot.  So for the next week and a half I would drive by and ponder the thought of having it again.

Now I have been driving my truck back and forth to work and each time I fill up the tank it will cost me $55 to $75 depending on fuel prices which at this time equal the higher price.  An since Terri was getting frugal with her cost of driving I thought why not check the car out and see how it has been treated since it left my possession.

So I stopped in verified the VIN number and checked under the battery cover where my name had been labeled back in 2001 to confirm it really was my old car.  I then took it for a drive and said yep it has to come home with me, and on April 16th I forked over the $3500 that the dealer asked.  So now without further delay I will show you pictures of my car and yes it looks just like it did before.

Please note that the Chevy belonged to my wife, not me. (I'm a Ford man) and now my wife is a Ford woman.

Now I should say that my car is pretty much a basic vehicle that gets good gas mileage and is very comfortable for the trip to and from work etc.  On the other hand Terri's van was loaded with a cloth/leather seat combination 6 CD changer built in VCR/Entertainment system.  And this van even came complete with the ON-STAR system.  This vehicle was designed for the long rides and kids of all ages. 

The 2004 Ford Explorer XLT Sport

So what did the wife have that has me and many others in envy?  It was a 2004 Ford Explorer XLT Sport complete with full leather interior.  I consider this a New Years gift as we purchased this on December 31st 2003.

I admittedly felt like the proud father of a new baby with this choice and really wish it were mine.  Lets take a look at some pictures to see what we got.