Buying a car in the mainland is much easier than our small island, for a number of reasons:
Dilemma 1: Salt water kills. Though many dealerships spray the undercarriage with coats of teflon, it's no match for the power of Poseidon. What the salt doesn't corrode, the constant rain does. Any car older than six years is guaranteed to have rust spots and rust holes in its frame. Pickup beds and frames commonly have more holes than a tuna net. You might as well try and hold your ten year old car together with coat hangars.
Dilemma 2: Supply vs Demand. Unless you're looking for an F-350, or beat up 1995 Isuzu Trooper, pickings are slim. People rarely advertise their vehicles, and instead, everyone just knows who is selling and who is buying.
Dilemma 3: Limited Brands. As much as I'd love to own a Mercedes, Audi, Saab or BMW... you'd be an idiot to bring one on the island because there are no Mercedes or BMW dealerships... and thus no trained mechanics. Leaving your Beemer in the hands of an island mechanic would be like letting Octomom babysit your kids.
Dilemma 4: Financing. Have I ever mentioned that lending from our local Banks is akin to having teeth pulled without drugs?
Dilemma 5: Over-evaluations. For some reason, people believe that cars on the island should sell for greater than their Kelly Blue Book value (or NADA). A car valued at $2,000 will commonly sell for $5,000 on the island. I assume they think because the original owners paid for shipping and duty, that these costs then need to be passed along to a buyer ten years later. Bull. See Dilemma #1.
Dilemma 6: Wifely vetoes. Jaime continues to refuse to place herself and her three kids on a single scooter. Pansy.
'nuff said.
Dilemma 1: Salt water kills. Though many dealerships spray the undercarriage with coats of teflon, it's no match for the power of Poseidon. What the salt doesn't corrode, the constant rain does. Any car older than six years is guaranteed to have rust spots and rust holes in its frame. Pickup beds and frames commonly have more holes than a tuna net. You might as well try and hold your ten year old car together with coat hangars.
Dilemma 2: Supply vs Demand. Unless you're looking for an F-350, or beat up 1995 Isuzu Trooper, pickings are slim. People rarely advertise their vehicles, and instead, everyone just knows who is selling and who is buying.
Dilemma 3: Limited Brands. As much as I'd love to own a Mercedes, Audi, Saab or BMW... you'd be an idiot to bring one on the island because there are no Mercedes or BMW dealerships... and thus no trained mechanics. Leaving your Beemer in the hands of an island mechanic would be like letting Octomom babysit your kids.
Dilemma 4: Financing. Have I ever mentioned that lending from our local Banks is akin to having teeth pulled without drugs?
Dilemma 5: Over-evaluations. For some reason, people believe that cars on the island should sell for greater than their Kelly Blue Book value (or NADA). A car valued at $2,000 will commonly sell for $5,000 on the island. I assume they think because the original owners paid for shipping and duty, that these costs then need to be passed along to a buyer ten years later. Bull. See Dilemma #1.
Dilemma 6: Wifely vetoes. Jaime continues to refuse to place herself and her three kids on a single scooter. Pansy.
'nuff said.
There has to be a (from the movie “Animal House”) “double secret” reward for you and the family in Heaven for all the different quirks you’ve endured on the Island.
Instead of a “robe and a crown” how about a “Roadster” and a “Crown Vic?”