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We have wheels again!

Driving...how I have missed it! Such a small thing in the grand scheme of life, but I enjoy that small thing so incredibly much.

Took about and hour and a half to get the van into my name, the plates from the junked Corsica transferred over. Took another hour to get the insurance coverage activated. Then I was off to town in my big, boxy blue minivan....and I felt like I was the king of the world.

First stop was at a gas station that still does tire work and had the tires aired up to proper pressures. They were all at least 50% under spec...and boy did the van drive like it was on soggy marshmallows! Once the tires were inflated properly, the van handled and rode so much nicer. Keeping the tires properly inflated will be a battle for a while. Alloy wheels tend to corrode around the bead and thus the air leaks out slowly. Once I have new tires put on the van in the next month or two, the inside of the wheels will be cleaned and that black goop applied to the beads to prevent air loss.

Second stop was at the Salvation Army to unload the van. Sunday I pulled all the rear seats out of the van and loaded it with a bunch of stuff that Deb and I were getting rid of and even more stuff the neighbors were getting rid of. The entire passenger area of the van was packed 1/2 way to the ceiling.

Third stop was the car parts store. New wiper blades, new air filter, new fuel filter and a can of Seafoam engine cleaner. Have the new wiper blades on, the new air filter installed....the old one was supremely filthy...just changing the air filter made an immediate improvement in how the engine idles and throttle response. Can't wait to see how the van will run once I run the Seafoam through the engine, fuel system and oil system and throw in new plugs and plug wires.

After supper, Deb and I took the van to the car wash and gave it a good scrubbing and a hot wax. Looks pretty darn good! This was Deb's first ride in the van...she likes it!

Took the van over to her mom's house to let them see it all washed and waxed, then stopped by the new home of our old neighbors to visit them a bit. They really have a nice house...and the garage is every car guys dream!

Yep...glad to have a set of rolling wheels under my feet again!

OBIO
 
...Easy on doing any wheelies with it......
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Just got back from taking the dogs for a nice little ride. Now, you'd figure with a billion square feet of minivan to roam around in while taking a ride the dogs would happily explore the van, hop up in the rear seats and look out those huge side windows. Nope, they were in our laps. Brutus had to have his nose stuck out the window...which was only down far enough for his nose to stick out..don't want his wiry 12 pound frame going out the window. Hazel, who gets over excited during rides, went back and forth from Deb's lap to mine and back....panting like a fat man who had just climbed 40 floors of steep stairs.

Wheelies...in a front wheel drive minivan? Only possible in reverse I suppose. I do have to get used to the beefier V-6 in the van. The Corsica had the 2.2 liter 4-cylinder, which was not a powerhouse engine when new...and when worn out and in horrible condition had all the power of 3 legged ground squirrel. I do like having more get up and go and being able to get up to the posted speed limit before I get to where I am driving, but my take offs are a bit harsh...my right foot hasn't yet realized that it is now standing on 6 firing pistons instead of 3 firing ones and one that only fired half the time.

OBIO
 
We are happy for you OBIO....

Congratulations!

It is fun to hear how you take good care of your ride.
:ernae:
 
Glad to hear life is smilin' on ya, Obio. May you and Deb enjoy the van in good health.

Bob
 
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