A Tearful Farewell

His name is Gustav...  Gustav DasVagon.
He is 12 years old.
He has traveled more than 235,000 miles.
He has seen the east coast and the edges of Canada.
And I love him, and I must say good-bye to him.

This is him! The day we met!March of 2010
The day we met is was fate. I was at the Interstate Auto Auction. Every other car I wanted I was outbid on. As this boy rolled onto the line I said to my friend Mitch "One more, find out what the yellow light means." It meant he was a manual transmission.
I did not set out to make a pairing with this vehicle. I was, at the moment I made the deal, discouraged and feeling as though I would not get a car that day.
And there he was. Waiting, for me.

Together we traversed New England. We traveled all over for Roller Derby, for Realms, for fun. 100,000 of his miles are mine. He and I did that together, in the 4 and a half years I had him. Work, home, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania and back again.

When my life was at it's lowest, he took me to see friends and family. When I needed to move, he hauled boxes and took me where I needed to go without much complaint.

Sure, he had his issues. He apparently hated the idea of a quiet exhaust (this year it was the flex pipe). He was not a huge fan of winter, either (his locks froze on me one day when I was late for a Doctor's appointment). But, we all have bad days. His body had some problems, but we took care of that.

He never minded my singing and stayed running as I strained to hit the notes that are actually impossible. He never left me stranded. Even if he was limping, he got me where I needed to go.

My car and I have had an interesting relationship indeed. I am on the edge of tears as I think of saying good-bye to him. However it is time.

With the help of Reflex Tuning, I hope to send him to a new home rather than see him junked ...though, Organ Donation (Parts Donation) is not out of the question. Perhaps he will go to a family with a dog that wants to push that last 40k to reach the magic 300,000! Maybe a college student on their way to a new life. Whomever Gustav goes to, he will be loved, I am sure of it.

Farewell, Gustav. There will never be another like you.

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