It’s time for us to look into a new vehicle for the family. The 2005 Pilot we’ve had has been good to us, but it’s time to think about what will be worth more over time: a fixer-upper, or a gently used newish car.
The fun part about this is the research that’s involved, if you're into learning more about cars that is. I love using websites such as Edmunds, AutoTrader, and Cars.com to research the pros and cons of the different cars that are out there.
I’m looking to replace a car that has done it all: transport kids to and from practice, road trips to Florida, and hauling 30 bags of mulch. What’s funny is that I think a minivan is going to be the way to go. It’s safe, it’s comfortable, and it hauls lots of stuff.
I know.
A part of me died just a second ago after writing that. But a minivan may just be the answer. There are cars out there like SUVs and other crossovers that have the same seating as a minivan and can do the same things. In fact, many of the newer crossover models kind of look a lot like minivans.
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2016 Honda Pilot -- Just sayin'...
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But honestly, when was the last time I went “off-road” for anything?
Never.
When was the last time I needed that all-wheel drive to kick in? Once or twice when I drove in the snow before the road was plowed, and I still swerved and swayed down the road so it didn’t really help that much. Besides, what do we end up doing when we know a snow storm is coming?
We buy bread and milk since they are such versatile foods and we stay home like most folks.
It finally sunk in when we were driving home from another out-of-town soccer tournament. It had been a long day in the sun. We were cruising down I-70 and the inside of the car was eerily quiet. I looked up in the rear view mirror and saw both of my kids in the “I’m going to sleep now, but it won’t look pretty” sleeping positions:
While sleeping in the semi-control-over-my-neck-while-balancing-my-head position in a car is sort of a right of passage for kids, I’m thinking there’s a better way to travel. I’m also thinking about our family's future and I’m betting it’s going to be a lot more of this:
And not this:
And I am happy with that because it’s the truth.
When I started the year as a first year principal, I was worried that I wouldn’t live up to everyone’s expectations. I thought I had to be someone different than who I am and act a certain way. But someone at the beginning of the year once told me, “They just want you for you.”
I’ve tried to stay true to myself this year. What you saw this year is who I am: a 36 year-old married father of two and an elementary principal who likes to have fun, who will only do what is best for kids, and who feels very blessed to do what he does.
And I think I’ll end up driving a minivan.
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Thanks for an amazing year! Let’s do it again!
-Herb
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