Remember Mustang Sally? She’s a thing of the past. Geoffrey put her to “pasture” for too many mechanical problems. It was a sad day.

Mustang Sally

Last week I bought a car. Not only is it the first car I’ve bought in my life, it’s a French car, bought in France. Like many things in this new world of mine, where I don’t speak the language, buying my new voiture wasn’t easy.  I had to enlist help.

When friends learned I wanted a car, they all had suggestions. The most prevalent one was “don’t buy a French car.” Sorry, but that’s just what I did. The next tip was “don’t buy from a dealer.” Yep, I did that too.

Buying a car at all, I am double handicapped. I have never bought one for myself, by myself. My first car was a hand-me-down from my Mother. My next cars were arranged by my brother who owned a VW dealership. I drove VWs for years. Then my ex bought our cars. If he told me he was car shopping, I’d say: “Tell me when it’s over, and by the way, I get the new one.”

Of course, not speaking French is my second handicap buying a car — a big one.

Uzes has no car dealers, so I turned to Leboncoin. Car shopping online became my passion. I looked at cars constantly. But when I’d be interested in one, I’d just sigh. There was no way to communicate with the seller. Email didn’t work. They didn’t reply. If I telephoned, I could write out a script in French to tell what I wanted, but their response was unintelligible to me. Going to Nimes to car shop was a consideration, but finding someone to drive me there who knew anything about cars just wasn’t happening.

Finally I threw money at the problem. A young French man who I’ve met several times at one of the cafes told me he’d help. He needs money. I needed a car. It was a perfect match. Except that he wasn’t quite on the same timeline as me.

After several weeks of back and forth emails to “JJ” with links to cars on Leboncoin, he finally saw one that appealed to him. It was with an “independent” dealer in Remoulins. After a trip to see the car, then back to sign the papers, it was mine.

Geoffrey went along to witness the car deal

JJ has also agreed to go with me to the “préfecture” to change over the title and help with whatever else is needed. I have no idea about insurance. The garage insurance runs out on Monday. Surely that will be solved, too.

Signed, sealed and delivered

This is all to say that, nothing is easy in France. But as the Beatles say: “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends.”

Here’s Lucy! With her shiny red body, she’s the female version of “Lucifer”.

While I’m on a Beatles kick: “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Now for that diamond-encrusted steering wheel cover. Leboncoin?

Happy memories of Mustang Sally

Saying “goodbye” to Mustang Sally hasn’t been easy. Looking back at some of the posts of our adventures together makes me happy and sad. If you’d like to walk back through “memory lane” with me, here are some posts where Sally played a starring role. Click on the titles to view the posts.

May in Uzes

Geoffrey and Sally

On the Road with Mustang Sally

On the Road with Mustang Sally

Uzes on Sundays

An afternoon drive with Geoffrey and Mustang Sally

Golden Girls Loving Italy: Pisa

Mustang Sally left behind in Girona, Spain

“The Golden Girls” Loving France: Day 9-10 Port Vendres and Collioure

Mustang Sally looking over Collieure

“The Golden Girls” Loving France: Day 5-7 Sete, Beziers and Bouziques

Mustang Sally with Golden Girls in Collioure

“The Golden Girls” in France and Italy: Day 1-4 Uzes, France

Mustang Sally prepping for “The Golden Girls'”

Uzes to Nice: Nice!

Showing off at Carrefour

Then there are memories of Mustang Sally at her last car wash.

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Happy Trails, Mustang Sally!