new van...are we nuts?

We bought a new (slightly used) minivan today. Part of me thinks we've lost our minds, but the truth is that much as I love the green van, it's showing its age. Last weekend we had what is perhaps the most amusing/embarrassing mechanical breakdown ever - for some reason, every time the wheels turned to the right, the horn would honk! So we're driving down the road, honking randomly at people as we're trying to get to the Abilities Expo - and then it gets worse, becoming a sustained honk anytime the wheel is turned right. Even turning off the engine wouldn't stop it! This was of course a Sunday at 6pm - so no mechanics were open, and we were an hour away from home. A gas station suggested calling Pep Boys, who sent out a pimply-faced kid to help Kristi look through the owner's manual for the van (amazing that we still had it) and figure out how to disconnect the horn. They were successful, so no more honking, but we have no horn at all. Plus the cruise doesn't work, there are other mechanical issues...and to top it all off, it would cost $2500 to modify it for the RV to tow, plus $1000 to put in an EZ Lock for my new wheelchair. Sorry, but it's not worth that much! So as of Friday, we will be the proud owners of a 2003 Chrysler Town & Country, IMS ramp conversion, with only 5800 miles on it. $35K - not bad considering that new ones are $10K more. We're thinking that after this trip, we'll get it modified for me to drive, scrap or store the '95 Dodge (which is getting to be a major junker) , and maybe get an accessible Honda Element, which I adore and would be buying right now if we didn't need a vehicle immediately (they take 6 weeks to build and are so new you can't really find them used yet.)

So this brings our total number of vehicles currently owned to six. Er. Yeah. I guess I did inherit the family car collecting gene after all. We'll be selling two of them ASAP, Kristi's SERIOUS junker (we're about ready to pay someone to take it!) and the green van. We might part with the '84 Mercedes as well, even though we reaaaaally don't want to. Kristi only paid $1100 for it, and it's almost old enough to be retro-cool.

Well, that is probably far more than you cared to know about our beater cars, so I'd better get to bed. We are seeing a lawyer tomorrow to get medical power of attorney for each other, so that if something happens to us in Godhatesfags, Oklahoma our rights and relationship will be recognized. Fun fun.