Brennen's First Car

Wedding week didn't slow down the flow of life and growing up around here--it just delayed some of the "yesses" a few days :) Brennen has been looking online at Mustangs for a month or more. I'm guessing he likes the connection to his Grandpa Barry, who had a pretty great black Mustang convertible, circa 2001. 

Before the wedding, a "for sale" ad caught Brennen's eye, so he contacted the seller about the vehicle. Because Brennen was the first to show interest--the seller promptly removed the ad, so no one else could see it or inquire about ownership; unusual! Brennen really wanted to squeeze in a trip to go look at the car . . . but wedding, concert, no second driver availably (Buck was back to work, Chase was in FL for work, C was in Paraguay, IG had plans to drive to Ohio the next morning), his job, and so on slowed the roll. I told him he ought to let the man know that the timing just wasn't working out like you hoped and encourage him to go ahead and repost the "for sale" ad if he wanted to. Brennen did, and the man said, "I'll hold it for you." Wow!

So, bright and early on Wednesday morning--Buck had the day off-- he and B set off on a four-hour drive across the state to look at the Mustang. They had to backtrack briefly when they realized in the excitement of the adventure, they had forgotten to stop by the bank to get cash (you know, to pay for the car should it be the *yes* Brennen expected it to be :)

About five hours later, I got these pictures from Buck--Brennen bought his first car! It has, let me think, I got it wrong last time, somewhere in the 120k mile range on it. It is from 2002. It likely needs new tires next year (I'm not sure where the Lionheart ones came from? Maybe the previous owner is royal?) But otherwise, Brennen's 'Stang is in really great condition! 

The story goes: the older couple bought it about ten years ago for the wife to drive. She loves the car, but they live in the country, and it is no good on snow. It's been well-cared for by evidence of all test drives and once-overs. Brennen got a great deal on it, paying just $500 more than its model year (is that subtle enough? It is for we English, non-math majors ;) The wife took one look at Brennen and said, "You remind me of my son; you look like him. That makes me feel better about signing the car over to you." Isn't that sweet? (Caelan and I agree that Brennen is too cute to drive a cute car, especially a blue cute car, but I guess our opinion is moot at this point :)

When Buck and Brennen arrived home from their long, eight-plus hour, drive G$ and buddy C ran out the door to greet the new car owner (C got back from Paraguay the night before and had recently awoken from a 12-hour slumber :) Brennen is all smiles showing off his new ride to his friends--because of course Chase came to check it out, upon return from his work trip!

A co-worker who enjoys working on cars took Brennen and G$ to a junkyard and taught them the fine art of salvaging parts. Brennen found a few key pieces that needed upgrading and has already installed at least one of them (the piece that holds the hook for the hood prop when it is down). 

With Chase's help and G$'s moral support, Brennen got the title and registration figured out yesterday. His insurance (he researched and made several contacts with agents, but discovered adding his car to our policy, for now, and paying us for the increase is by far the most affordable route) starts August 1st. He's got lots of big plans to make his Mustang especially his. Car parts for his birthday, was buddy C's suggestion--I like it! Congratulations to Brennen; he's over the moon!