The End of an Era

In October of 2003, we bought our 1993 Mercury Sable for $2200.  Today, the salvage yard came for it, and gave us $220.  The car was operable, registered, and insured.  But . . . last week it failed the Utah safety inspection . . . and our mechanic refused to work on it.  Which is just as well because when the camshaft bearing started to go last fall, we decided not to spend another dime on it either.  The remarkable thing is that it lasted a whole year without even changing the oil.  In fact, earlier this month, I was still using it to go back and forth to the Cedar City Airport for work travel.  Without getting choked up, let me just say that the Sable was a beast—powerful, roomy, reliable—and that it gave us nine good years.  But, what I really want to point out is that our ownership costs (purchase price minus sale price) were $1980 for nine years and 75,000 miles.  Sure, we had operation and maintenance costs—tires, fuel, mufflers, insurance—but our straight ownership cost was $18.33/month.  If my reader can beat 18 bucks a month to own a car, I'll buy him a six pack.  In fact, if I can beat 18 bucks a month to own a car, I'll buy myself a six pack.  Heck, I just lost an 18 buck a month car, I think I need a six pack.