The Van
Finally!
We got the van. You may think buying a car is easy. Just go to the lot. Pick it out. Haggle with the sales guy and drive away. Ummmm – no. Not when it’s going to cost over $60K and not when you can’t find anyone who actually answers your questions accurately, and not when you really wish you didn’t have to buy it in the first place. But we did.
Brian did an extraordinary amount of research. He talked to manufacturers, to dealers, to customizing shops, to the headquarters of more companies that should be even considered. And he finally boiled it down to this:
- Buy a Toyota Sienna. Yes, even though they recalled tons of vehicles right in the middle of your deal.
- Get side-entry.
- Get the in-floor ramp system rather than the fold-out system so you can recline the passenger front seat.
- Get it from M.I.T.S in PA.
- Add the accessories you’d want for 10 years – cuz that’s how long we’ll have it we think.
- Make a day trip of picking it up.
And then take lots of photos – well, that’s my part of the deal, not Brian’s!
If you need to buy a van, find this guy or one like him. Bob Roth at M.I.T.S in Glen Rock, PA. He’s great!
And now for the photos:
And now we can focus on different things – like Catherine’s school situation – again! Next IEP meeting is April 22. Wish us luck.
Checking a new email feature.
Checking a new email feature.
What a sweet ride!
You know what’s amazing? When the four of us are riding in a car that is now full and it used to be just two of us. I think to myself, “we made this!” Such a simple thing that can sometimes hit me like a baseball bat. Looking at the photo of your new van driving away full made me think of that fleeting, sometimes lingering thought I have. It’s amazing, what we can make!
Ellen, the girls are so big. I would love to see you all–perhaps when the weather is warm and the kids can play. Take care and good luck with your next IEP. I’ll be reading about it!
Parissa,
Great to hear from you! Would love to get together 🙂 I had that “Wow! This is our family,” thought the other day. I know what you mean. Thanks for reading!
What a sweet ride!
You know what’s amazing? When the four of us are riding in a car that is now full and it used to be just two of us. I think to myself, “we made this!” Such a simple thing that can sometimes hit me like a baseball bat. Looking at the photo of your new van driving away full made me think of that fleeting, sometimes lingering thought I have. It’s amazing, what we can make!
Ellen, the girls are so big. I would love to see you all–perhaps when the weather is warm and the kids can play. Take care and good luck with your next IEP. I’ll be reading about it!
Parissa,
Great to hear from you! Would love to get together 🙂 I had that “Wow! This is our family,” thought the other day. I know what you mean. Thanks for reading!
So excited for you…. at least ONE thing in life is easier! Now if the school situation could fall into place… we’ll be praying.
Thanks Bambi. It fell (more or less) as we had hoped. So, life is good 🙂
So excited for you…. at least ONE thing in life is easier! Now if the school situation could fall into place… we’ll be praying.
Thanks Bambi. It fell (more or less) as we had hoped. So, life is good 🙂