Officially a clunker, family car heading to 4Runner heaven

In my heart, I know my 1991 Toyota 4Runner is a clunker.

It’s now official. Or it will be on Friday.

Despite Steve and Joel’s best efforts at Steve’s Import Auto to keep her on life support the past few years, it is obvious that the days of my red 4Runner, with the distinctive dents and Rorschach test pattern rust, are numbered.

It’s been a good — and memorable — ride for most of its 210,000 miles.

Both of our kids grew out of car seats in it. Both kids got car sick in it. At least one Keyesling decided to try out her artistic chops on the back seat and door with an ongoing  crayon, ink pen  and sticker impressionistic display that could probably sell for thousands in a lower Manhattan gallery.

The 4Runner is a sometimes smelly, cluttered time capsule of memories filled with soccer trips, Glacier Park, Grizzly football games, crossing the plains of Montana, loading up soccer players and hitting deer.

It is in the driveway right now with two fishing poles, a tackle box and the smell of bait and two fish in the back. There are also two tennis racquets, a plastic bottle for oil and several boxes of clothes headed to Goodwill. It went on its last huckleberry picking expedition up Pack River this week.

As I write this, two bikes are leaning against it. Below it is a series of oil stains in the concrete that could earn an EPA fine or could be a fire hazard to a nearby smoker.

This 4Runner will never make the history books with some vehicles topping a million miles, we have a better shot at Ripley’s Believe it or Not.

On consecutive trips to Montana, over a two-year span, daughter Olivia got carsick at the exact moment we crossed the state line going east, whether it was on Highway 2 by Troy, Highway 200 by Clark Fork or  I-90 at Mullan.

Believe it or not.

We knew the end was near when hitchhikers and bicyclists passed us while we were driving up Granite Hill.  If that isn’t bad enough, the dashboard is split, the windshield has numerous cracks and all the seats are falling apart at the seams. Did I mention the muffler is shot, the transmission is going and it leaks all vital fluids? The gas mileage is so bad Dairy Depot has expanded twice thanks to my constant infusion of gas money.

Rust started forming this spring and in some places, like near the wheelwells, it looks like the third generation of rust was beginning to cover up the second generation.

So the vehicle I purchased at Riverside Auto in Bonners Ferry from Maureen Shelman when I worked at the Herald, is headed to the 4Runner Happy Hunting Grounds.

I first heard about the Cash for Clunkers program a few months ago. The idea of turning in an old gas guzzler for a fuel efficient vehicle makes sense. The fact that a consumer has to purchase a new vehicle keeps the auto supply chain moving in an economy where that chain needs some serious help.

The book value is $1,000 for the 4Runner but even my most kind friends have told me I would be lucky to get that. With an expensive tune-up, paint job, etc. looming, it was time for me to get moving.

I had gotten spoiled by not having any car payments for nine years so I am not excited to start down that path again.

I knew I was going to buy locally for too many reasons to list here. Suffice to say, our local new car dealers have supported this area in hundreds of ways and I have always believed that community pride and supporting those who support you trumps driving to Coeur d’Alene or Kellogg.

Don’t get me started about trying to find a better deal out of town. By the time you figure out what you really save by taking money from the local economy to buy a vehicle or most other items, versus the convenience, support and saving local jobs by shopping here, it is a no brainer.

I checked all three lots, looked at the paper for comparisons, and went online to start the process. It was nice to find out I would receive either $3,500 or $4,500 in the Cash for Clunkers program for the 4Runner.

Our needs are pretty simple: Legroom for two kids that are growing like weeds. Good gas mileage. A vehicle I can trust to drive out of town and one that will last at least a decade before I drive it into the ground. Cash for Clunkers, part 2?

After comparing crossover SUVs, pickups, vans and Jeeps, I narrowed my choices to an Escape or an Edge. Both were Fords and they were in stock here at Rokstad Ford.

Shopping at home paid off and Jeff Rokstad and Joey Few made the buying process painless.

On Friday, when the Cash for Clunkers program kicks off across the nation, I will be the first in line to take possession of my new Edge.

We have been driving the Edge around for a few days to remind the kids that the new car is not a rolling art gallery or landfill. Both have bought in and Olivia has sworn off crayons and stickers … and vomiting.

I have steered clear of new vehicles because of the depreciation loss, etc., but the Cash for Clunkers program made too much sense.

The only thing I don’t like about the plan is the fact the vehicle has to be destroyed. That seems like a waste to me but it is key to getting gas guzzlers off the road.

Our 4Runner was called the “Big Beep, Beep” by Austin when he was little. It was always reliable and has shepherded our family faithfully for years. It will be missed.

We are all excited about our new Edge, though. The kids have already found their favorite Sirius radio stations while Marlisa and I are getting used to all of the controls actually having buttons and knobs.

We are looking forward to our first family outing to Glacier in it later this month. Only one problem, I might have to ask my daughter to get out and walk across the state line, just to be safe.

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.