Fix or Sell

A rare event...a clean Luna

Have you ever seen the Subaru commercials advertising the adventurous and outdoorsy nature of a Subaru? Commercials cannot properly capture the reality of how awesome a Subaru can be!

A view from the shield

Introducing my Luna. She is a Subaru Baja. Named after the moon to protect me when driving at night, she has been in my life since 2005. She has taken me all over the United States (multiple times), Quebec (twice), and New Brunswick. She has braved nearly every weather system. From driving through the heart of a lightning storm in South Dakota, to driving across the frozen lands of Quebec during a snow storm in less-than-adequate all wheel tires (instead of requisite snow tires). Off-roading desert adventures, driving along historic routes (including 66 and following Billy-the-Kid's trail), visiting historic sites (from Hurst Castle to Monticello), visiting beaches (Santa Barbara to island of Okracoke), camping in various national parks, braving snow storms in Colorado, sleet in Maryland, rain in Virginia, severe windstorms in Kansas, and endless California sunshine days, Luna has had quite the life! We've practically driven through every major city in the United States, learned the art of parallel parking in Baltimore, the financial nightmare of bridges, parking, and tolls of New York City, parking tricks in New Haven, Savannah, and New Orleans, and how to blend in enough to not get broken into.

At 204,990 miles or so, her age is starting to reveal itself. Probably not age...more a reflection of the driving and environments she's been exposed to. My auto mechanic says, "For 200,000+ miles, your car looks great!" She still maintains the majority of her original features.  While California provides the ideal weather for preserving cars, a snow storm in Baltimore succeeded in killing Luna's original battery after 10 years of operation. Impressive, huh? Snow storms have contributed to some unfortunate rust-action.

Regardless, she is reliable and well built. Truly the best car any person could wish for. 

I found an article online explaining how Subaru Bajas were considered "flops" when they initially came out and yet have had a continued interest amongst buyers. Over the years, I received offers from every dealership I ever visited on my road trips- California, Colorado, Virginia. "If you ever want to sell it, it won't even make it to the floor. The list for these cars is so long," I was told. Years ago, one man in a dodgy gas station brazenly propositioned me for my car "I give you $300 now for your car." Um. NO. More recently, I received a note on my car once from my friend's husband in Virginia asking if I would consider selling him my car. While flattered, I declined. I mean, how would I get back to California? 

Now I am posed with the question: is it worth saving Luna by investing (what I would consider significant) funds into fixing its exhaust system and other parts (arms, bar links, struts, tie rod ends) or sell it for what I can and buy a new one?

I guess what I am discovering as I write this is that she is one-of-a-kind.