stripethree

So I’m in week three of commuting to Sierra Vista everyday, and thus far, things are good. Except my gas bill, which is through the freakin’ roof. I knew it was coming, but it takes planning to minimize the cost, because most of the gas stations on 90, which connects Sierra Vista with the rest of the world are money hungry thieving bastards.

No matter. Next week I don’t have to drive it anymore. Next week I’m starting to take the shuttle instead. What does this mean? Instead of spending oh, around $400 a month in gas, I’ll spend $170 for the shuttle. Instead of waking up at 5ish, I’ll be waking up at 4ish. However, I can sleep for the 75 minute ride down in the morning and back in the afternoon. We’ll see how much of a zombie this turns me into. I’m optimistic though. So far the project itself is ok, I haven’t gotten to actually go much since I needed access cards, more access cards, PIN numbers, and oh, yeah, a computer. All the administrativa is taken care of though, so now we’ll get down to it (and steer clear of the politics!).

I wasn’t expecting a shuttle spot to open up so soon, so I was actively shopping a second car to save a little on gas and keep miles off my nicer, newer car that will soon be paid for and which I’d rather not drive directly into the ground. I was looking mostly at TDIs (diesel powered VWs), older VWs, and random other things here and there. The week before I was informed that a shuttle spot was opened up I went up to Casa Grande to drive a 1991 GTI I was looking at. Overall it is in pretty good shape, and the engine and transmission have less than 20,000 miles on them after a complete rebuild. The body is mostly good and other, major areas (like brakes) are in good shape also. It’s a 17 year old car and needs some help here and there of course, but what 17 year old car doesn’t. I ended up buying it regardless of the fact that I now did not need it, partially because now I have my backup should the shuttle not work for me and partially because I just flat out wanted it and it was a deal not worth passing up.

So here she is.

Yes, it’s pretty much turquoise, also known as Montana Green, a pretty rare color. The seller met me in Casa Grande again and I drove her home without issue. She’s been parked unti lI can get her title transferred officially and get Arizona tags (I blame work and the DMV’s hours) which should happen this weekend. I’m dying to drive the thing. I went over the car from bumper to bumper, found a few more minor things and made a list of all the things I’d fix or change. I won’t be doing all of them, but I wanted a record so I didn’t forget. The plan is to fix or upgrade things as they break for the most part, because that’s what 17 year old cars do, break parts. I already broke a damn door handle for crying out loud. This has the potential to be frustrating, but I want it to be fun. I have a perfectly good, newer car to drive should I need to fix something on the GTI. I’m looking forward to the challenge honestly, since it’s a completely different, and in many cases, simpler, world than the fourth generation cars.

We’ll see how things progress. Two more payments and the ’04 is paid for also, I can’t wait for that day.