O MiniVan, Where Art Thou?

We said goodbye this week to a family staple for over 7 years - our good ol' Oldsmobile Silhouette.  It drank it's last gallon of gas last week as we tried unsuccessfully to save it from an eventual broken head gasket.  The cost to repair was more than it was worth.  It was time to not put any more money into it.  On Friday, we sent it off on a tow truck on its way to a junk yard. 

It desperately tried to hang on to life until the very end when it refused to go into neutral as the wrecking crew tried to drag it away. Eventually, it caved and surrendered its will as it was driven off into the late afternoon sunset on Friday.  

Thanks for the memories, Oldsmobile. The many trips to Michigan, Florida, Texas, Atlanta and everywhere in between.  Not so many thanks for the many electrical repairs and the smelly floor mats.  We thought you had more life in you, Olds.  I guess it wasn't meant to be.  

Now, we're on the hunt for another van.  This one needs to carry 3 kids and the two of us.  We'll see what we can find.  Will it be the coveted Odyssey?  How about the next best, Sienna?  Or, it may be the outsider: a Kia or a Dodge Caravan.  We're actively looking now.  For now, though, we bid our former golden wonder goodbye and adieu.  Auf Wiedersehen, Oldsmobile.  It was a love-hate relationship with you.  But, being the eternal optimist, I choose to focus on all the good that you brought to us.