| Archive for Uncle AJ's Rolex, Wrist Watch & Nature Forum A place to chill out and have some fun a forum about nothing yet also about everything. An alternative wrist watch and nature forum. |
| BigBird |
Trucks.I have always driven pickup trucks to and from work and I have gotten tired of the size and 14MPG. Now I do like bigger autos and need one that will haul at least five adults in some sort of comfort. We travel most weekends and drag along five or six kids, a cat, and DumDog. As some of you know the wife just bought a GL450 and I have test drove every crossover SUV out there. To be honest, none really made me smile so I decided against buying one. Problem is that the kids are learning to drive and their choices are learning in a Vett, Crew Cab F-150, or the GL450. Needless to say these are not good vehicles to learn how to drive. So, the other reason for a smaller auto was for me to teach the kids to drive. Of course, I will not let them drive a new car without me or the wife tagging along.Long story I know. A couple of days ago the wife keep calling me mini-me and I had no idea what she was going on about. Trust me, I usually have no idea. 
Well, I figured it out as I came home and she had bought me this. I will let you know what I think after a week of driving. Mine's the one in the front. Yes, the smaller one. 
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| uncle aj |
I think you'll enjoy it Joe, I would. 
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| away36 |
NO ONE is more deserving than you, Joey!! Can't wait to hear how you like it! 
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| BigBird |
If my memory is correct you are waiting on your Audi. Nice car as I drove one similar to yours. A couple of things I have noticed on mine is that the 24 valve engine revs nicely and is quite quick for a V-6. It has 268 HP and I like the 24MPG I am seeing on the highway. I have yet to push it hard as I would like at least a 1,000 miles before going over 4,000RPM. |
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| JimSnyder |
It has a deer rack now get a hitch-all for your beer cooler and you'll be set 
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| BigBird |
And a towing package with smart brakes and traction control. The wife knows me well. First thing I bought for both was the hitch.
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| BigBird |
When the wife gave it to me she joked it will be the only one towing a four wheeler, something dead on the roof, an American flag magnet on the back, and bang---bangs in the rear, the glove box, and every other nook and cranny. Hell, it even plays "What's That Smell" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. If I keep this up, MB might just buy it back from me due to bad advertising.
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| JimSnyder |
hidden door panels with bangs behind them are cool and your not bad advertising, your just "Trendy"
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| East Bay Rider |
Oh yeah - YOUR their target consumer. You may as well paint a flag on the roof and numbers on the doors. Don't forget this: 
Seriously congratulations. What a thoughtful gift. I actually think the pickup truck would make a great first car - big, heavy, full frame = safe. The fact that the new cars are nearly clones is just a bonus. I bought nearly identical used Nissans and people couldn't stop talking. You bought nearly identical new MBs - I'll be waiting to see it on the news. |
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| Lion |
Joe, sounds to me like you wife loves you even though she has to put up with your shenanigans. It looks to me like the fourth time is the charm for you. Enjoy your new ride and have fun teaching the girls how to drive redneck style!!! | ||||||||
| Tools |
Great gift........
all I got was a pair of socks.............. 
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| away36 |
Somebody shoulda socked Joe long ago!
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| Lisa |
Joe.... um, I'm starting to think that you're not really a redneck, are you?  
Very nice car. Are you keeping your pickup? |
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| Jimbits76 |
Nice motor Bubbs.
Great news now we have a Eurotrash Redneck! J |
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| away36 |
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA 
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| BigBird |
Yea and that will be the auto they drive to and from school. Of course the son is happy about that , but not so the daughter.
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| BigBird |
I ain't talking to you any more.  It will look good at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and Bass Pro Shop. I did open it up a little and hit 120MPH and have to admit it was more stable than the plastic cars. Once a redneck always a redneck.
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| Lion |
Joe, the truck at least is a ride to school. Would your daughter rather walk..... | ||||||||
| BigBird |
Our olderst daughter is a bit like her mum, anti-redneck. I love to embarrass them both when out in public.
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| Jimbits76 |
See what I mean...euro steel vs American Tuppaware!!!!!
With thos benzy woos though tyou're gonna have to start wearing sun glasses everywhere and driving gloves. Look the part... J |
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| BigBird |
They were at least bolted together in Alabama. The wife's brother-in-law works for MB in Alabama. Is the brown stain on the driver's door from the chewing tobacco in bad form?
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| Jimbits76 |
I hope you got a discount...1 for the family connection and two for the spittun' baccy stain on the upholstery!
J |
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| JimSnyder |
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| East Bay Rider |
One would think that a car of it's stature would have built in spit cup holders or at least an MB accessory squeegie. | ||||||||
| JimSnyder |
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| away36 |
You guys are killing me here this morning. TOO funny!
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| Lion |
Bubba, are you telling us your favorite place to shop is at Walmart. In the south they should charge an admission fee to the show!!! | ||||||||
| Deep Sea |
Nice cars (trucks?...SUVs?...minivans?). Was a gun rack on the option list? What about the camo paint option?
I won't show this thread to my wife...she'll want to know why she's not getting one. |
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| Lisa |
Martin, I think your wife is supposed to get you one. 
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| Lisa |
Dave took the day off to rest up from his vision correction procedure yesterday... but he must be feeling pretty well because he asked me to run him by the Toyota dealership after his followup Dr. appt. this morning. He needed a part for his '07 FJ Cruiser.... well, there was a new FJ sitting in front of the showroom that he started eyeing, but he didn't say much about it. After I took him home, he said, "I think I'm ready to drive now... I have a couple of questions about that FJ I saw..."
That was 4 hours ago. I heard him cleaning out his car before he left. He doesn't have a sugar mama like you do, Joe - but I still think there will be a little something new sitting in the garage tonight. 
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| BigBird |
I'll bag the sugar mama for a little something new sitting the the garage tonight.
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| Lisa |
Well, it's not a Mini Me Merc.... but he's happy.
My camera settings are goofy - too much glare. The car's actually a sand color but it looks washed out.
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| uncle aj |
He's probably just cleaned it.
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| BigBird |
Good looking truck and yes, I am a redneck. Hey, Dave looks good without glasses , and to be honest, looks a few years younger. Since you keep turning me down, maybe Dave.......
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| Carolina |
That's a nice new truck, Lisa (hubby would be jealous). I agree - Dave looks good without his glasses!
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| Lisa |
Dave will be glad to hear you like his new look. He used to wear contacts, but switched to glasses full-time about 5 years ago... he was tired of messing with eyeglasses and for him, the Lasik surgery was the answer. (The girls and I got to watch him having it done - there is a little seating area outside the operating room and we also could see an up-close view on the doctor's viewing screen. I had to stop looking when they peeled back his cornea, though!)   Eek!
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| uncle aj |
Can we come and watch when you have your procedure?
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| Deep Sea |
When I finally head back to the US, if I can part with my truck (a Toyota, also), the FJ will be my ride of choice. It would be equally practical now, but there were not sold in Mexico when I moved here, so I would have had a hard time with servicing. Great looking FJ, though!
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| Lisa |
Bitsy wouldn't like that.... But Dave might - you have an awful lot in common!
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| Deep Sea |
All our married life (17 years) she's had a hard time getting me big-ticket items. And not for want of chances. I used to race motocross competitively, and bought a new bike every 18 or 20 months. Along with this were the redneck trucks to pull the trailer, etc. She always saw me eyeing the brochures from Dodge, Chevy, & Ford, and the motorcycle magazines and brochures from Honda, Yamaha, and KTM. She knew what I wanted, but was always hesitant to go out and buy it. Same goes for watches. Her fear is my taste/liking will change with the tides, and she's fearful of getting me something I won't want/like. No sweat though, I can burn up the plastic pretty well for myself; but...she's easy to buy for (David Yurman, John Hardy, anything w/ diamonds or sapphires or tanzanite) so I have a multitude of choices that will never be wrong. Plus, I actually like buying her stuff. Our daughter goes crazy when mommy does jewelry inventory, and doesn't understand why she can't wear the shiny necklace with the clear rocks on it. Anywho...I like the way you think!
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| Lisa |
I saw that procedure on YouTube - it's not pretty! 
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| Lion |
Lisa, the surgery may not be pretty but the end result will be delicious. Hey, what can I say I'm a boob man. Did you happen to watch 2 1/2 men Monday nite??? | ||||||||
| Lisa |
No - and I'm not familiar with the movie! I live a very sheltered life...
So, I went in for a pre-op visit today... everything is "go" for Friday the 13th....
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| Lion |
Lisa, I bet Dave really looked great in glasses. I can understand why he wanted the surgery but with glasses I'm sure he looked very distinguished!!!
And with your surgery next week you both will have made changes to your character/personalities..... |
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| Lisa |
I understand how your wife feels - I'd be reluctant to pick expensive gifts for my husband because he's got unusual tastes in nichey kinds of things - he would much prefer to do the research and shopping and final selection on a big ticket item. Actually, I'm the same way. Not that I buy too many big ticket items!
It sounds like your wife likes your taste in jewelry for her just fine.
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| Lisa |
I like it too, Martin. I doubt I'll ever drive it, though! I never once drove his old one! It's not too kid-friendly because the back seat is hard to get in and out of.
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| Lisa |
Maybe it's dual mid-life crises....
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| ABS |
Lisa's getting surgery?? Where the hell have I been again??
What's happening???
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| Lisa |
Mireyna, I've totally hijacked Joe's thread but in keeping with "car talk" lingo I can call it a "front end alignment." Or maybe, a headlight adjustment? Turning the low-beams into high-beams?
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| ABS |
Gotcha!
Good for you girl!! Hope I'll be that lucky sometime!!
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| Lion |
I believe you both are only correcting features you are not happy with. And if these changes make both of you happier then everybody wins!!! |
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| East Bay Rider |
It's beautiful. Very nice truck. Tell me, what's the difference between the '07 and the new one? |
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| Lisa |
Bill, I'd have to defer to Dave about the differences in the two. The body style seems exactly the same. Dave's new one is the "trail" package, and it has different shocks, wheels, tires and lights than the usual 2010 models.
He just got home and tells me the '10 model has softer suspension and a little more horsepower, too. |
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| uncle aj |
Nothing a little blue pill won't cure.
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| Deep Sea |
Another way to say it is structural enhancements. Now this  makes a little more sense from the other day. I didn't want to presume anything, but I sorta figured.
And regarding the hijack...I'm sure Joe won't mind the subject deviation...after all, it is keeping in line with the original subject...gifts.
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| Deep Sea |
Will he actually take it off-road, or is it just for driving on the sidewalk to get through the congestion in OKC? Maybe Joe should post some of his redneck toys (not the tricycle, the 4-wheeler/UTV). Your kids are old enough to drive here in Mexico...send Dave down here w/ his FJ and the kids. There are thousands of miles of trails, and virtually no laws, so you can drive anywhere you want. Every weekend I see groups of folks on motorcycles (not the street-legal kind) and 4-wheelers & UTV's, cruising down the middle of the road, heading for the mountains. They drive right past the cops and they could care less. It's also normal to see 5 year old kids sitting on their parents lap, steering the car. Heck, I almost hit a Jeep the other day on my bicycle; the kid driving could barely see over the steering wheel...he was probably 12 or 13, and his mother is shooting me dirty looks like I did something wrong by yelling at her for her kid cutting me off (and the other two cars behind me). Mexico is so much fun. Hell, GTG in Mexico! Bring the FJ, Joe can bring the Merc, and the rest of you can bring whatever you wish. I'll supply the refreshements.
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| Carolina |
Martin, I think that is a great idea! Lisa, wouldn't you just love a little time to yourself alone?
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| Lisa |
Hey, NOW you're talking!
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| BigBird |
If I have to choose between going to Mexico to enjoy the hills or to Oklahoma to enjoy the new hills......well, you guys know my answer.
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| Lion |
In other words you are in for a bumpy ride!!! |
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| Deep Sea |
Would asking her to post before and after shots be in bad taste? You know, like before and after you send your watch to the RSC?
Just kidding, Lisa (I think)!
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| Lion |
Careful you'll have Joe drooling..... |
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| Lisa |
Meh, there ain't much to see, guys... The surgeon's assistant asked me if she could post before and after revision pics on the doc's website. I said sure! Nobody'll know it's me, so why not?
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| DSJ |
Okay, I have to do a better job of keeping up around here!
Joe, congrats on the new ML. 320d, 350, 500? I can't tell from the photo. Either way, I like both the ML and GL's, would like to have one some day. Lisa, I've been bouncing the idea of Lasik around for a long time, but am still scared of something going wrong. What was Dave's eyesight before? Mine is about -3.25. Laura has also talked about getting a "front end alignment" with slightly bigger "tires" since having Justin. I think the existing set-up is fine, but am wondering what the impetus for your decision was, and details you feel comfortable with. About 5 years ago, my mother went to a lower tire size (with adjustment to alignment too) because of the nerve damage and discomfort she was getting from tires that were too big for the frame. Dad said she went from looking 60 to 20! |
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| Lion |
Lisa, you are a brave woman to go under the knife. I'm facing wrist surgery soon and I'm a big chicken. So I keep putting it off and not going to see the surgeon!!! |
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| Lisa |
Leo, surgery is my husband's bread and butter - I have no fear. The surgeon is a friend; our kids go to school together, and the anesthesiologist and my husband work together and have known each other for several years. It's almost a family affair. In fact, June and my doc's kid are having a play date next week.
David - I'd recommend your wife do whatever she feels is right for her. I'd been nursing or pregnant for nearly 10 years straight, and that does a number on the ol' girls. I'm definitely pro-breastfeeding, but you do sacrifice the ol' chesticles by doing so. I had an augmentation done in 2006 after we thought we were done having kids, but that doc didn't do a very good job with the positioning and the outcome wasn't very attractive. I selected him ONLY because I remembered him from my high school days; he and my brother worked together at a Bonanza Steakhouse when they were in college. Gee, with those credentials how could I have gone wrong? However, we accidentally made Violet, so any re-do had to be put on hold until she was born and weaned.... so now the time is right. This time around, I did more homework in selecting a good surgeon, and I have a very good idea of what end result I want. Am actually going smaller, switching from saline to silicone implants, and am having the implants put in a more natural position. I'd say to your wife to read, read, read and look at lots of before and after pics (you probably wouldn't mind helping by giving your opinion on those!). There's a good website, http://www.implantinfo.com/, that is a great place to start learning about the procedure. Hope this isn't too much info!
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| Lisa |
Oh, David - forgot to address the Lasik thing - Dave had a pretty strong prescription before - about -8 in both eyes. I think the odds of anything going wrong are pretty slim, especially now with the laser technology. I thought about having it done myself a few years back, but I didn't like the thought of losing my up-close vision (Dave will need reading glasses now) or having dry eye problems or "halos" in my vision, as well as poorer night vision. Not everyone experiences those problems, but I didn't want to risk having them, because I don't mind wearing glasses. | ||||||||
| BigBird |
Thanks David. The GL is a 450 and the ML is a 350. The 320d in either model is next to impossible to find. I told the wife that my next car would be a six and thus she went with the 350. I have to admit, it gets just about 24MPG and I drive on the highways around 90MPH. The wife was smart and had an Escort 9500ci installed, which has a radar and laser jammer, and it really does work. I learned the hard way to hit the off button, once I had slowed down, becasue the LEOs get a little edgy when they shoot you four times and their guns reads zero. I did get the opportunity to show a Georgia State Patrol officer my set up, after he pulled me over to see what jammer I was using. Seems, the 9500ci is the only one that really works. He smiled and told me to hit the pause button so they can at least get a reading. I had the front LCD fixed so that it plays movies while in drive. That way the kids can watch three different movies, with the two in the rear using headphones. And to think I am just a dumb old redneck. Thank God for women.
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| Tools |
So Lisa....
It sounds like practically everybody has seen 'em, held 'em, or pumped them up but us...........
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| Lion |
Larry just use your imagination!!! |
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| Tools |
Well, I have a big imagination......... .....................but I don't think that is needed yet................ |
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| Lisa |
Nah. All you need is a small imagination.
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| Lion |
Lisa, don't spoil it for Larry let his mind wonder and go crazy!!! |
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| Tools |
I'm waiting for the after photos Lisa..
............ I'll send you my address....a plain brown wrapper is OK... ................  .
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| Deep Sea |
Lisa, usually the best things in life come in small packages.
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| Lion |
Larry what are you a dirty old man and do you also flash the young ladies!!! LOL!!! |
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| Tools |
...................... .
.....Maybe... But I'm not confessing to nothing in writing..........
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.... OKC isn't that far away.... I could come and take my own photos........
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| Lion |
Okay Larry, stop drooling!!! | ||||||||
| Tools |
....I'm getting excited and I can't really remember why any more..............
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| Lion |
Maybe because you do not have to buy a birthday or X-mas gift!!! |
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| Lisa |
Larry, honestly - you're making mountains out of molehills.
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| Tools |
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| Lion |
Careful Lisa, I think he's already in the car and on his way.....with a bag of cheese curls!!! | ||||||||
| Lisa |
Did you say cheese curls? Hmmm... I suppose negotiations are in order.
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| Lion |
Lisa, now remember in opening discussions drive a hard bargain hold out for a large bag that hasn't been opened yet!!! Or better yet a case..... |
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| Lisa |
I'll settle for two bags. Tit for tat, you know.
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| mailman |
Re: Trucks.
Nice ride Joe Lotsa luck with it
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| Carolina |
As much as I like your new car, I do miss the truck - our truck, that is. We had the same and sold it recently. Hubby does not miss the gas mileage, though.
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| Lion |
Joe, the mental picture I get when I see your MB with a trailer hitch is one of amusement. I've never thought of an MB as a vehicle which tows a boat or trailer. In commercials the image is one of a sedan or sports car but never one of hauling something else..... |