Mike's Rides
Now that all but one of my kids are driving, I catch myself often times thinking about the vehicles I have owned through the years. These were "my rides"...
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For folks my age, it all starts with the Big Wheel (representative picture)... |
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...then there's the first bike (mine, circa 1973)... |
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...and eventually the "last" bike, before you get your permit (mine, circa 1980)... |
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...and if you're lucky, maybe a go-cart, mini-bike or dirt-bike will work it's way into the mix...
1980 Honda Rebel XR (representative picture) Red, 80cc. This was actually my best friend's bike but I was the one that lived on the edge of the woods in our neighborhood, so he came over to ride quite a bit. Loved riding this bike. |
(1984-1985) 1974 Maverick (representative picture) Mine was dark green, black vinyl interior and no A/C. This was originally my parents car and the one I learned to drive in. My folks bought it new in '74 and by the time I drove it was dark green, sky blue and primer colored due to accident repair (using parts from an old Comet). |
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(1985-1986) 1980 Buick Electra Limited (representative picture) Mine was a gold 2 door, tan plush interior, A/C, power everything. This was my grandparent's car, given to my folks so that I could have a car. For some reason my dad decided to give me this instead of the Maverick. Turned out to be a smart move on my dad's part because this car seemed to be riddled with problems, lasting only about 18 months - the Maverick, about 6 more years. |
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(1986-1988) 1986 Ford Tempo GL (representative picture) Mine was a silver 2 door with red cloth interior. This was the first car I bought myself, new, using money I earned while in recruit training as a down payment. I was 19 so naturally ended up putting some huge stereo speakers and amplifier in it - the stereo rocked. |
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(1988) 1986 Honda Rebel (representative picture) Black, 250cc, bought used. I learned how to ride on my best friend's dirt bike, but this was the first one I ever owned. Sweet lookin bike, but small.
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(1988-1990) 1989 Ford Tempo GL (representative picture) Mine was burgundy with red cloth interior. I traded in the 86 Tempo I had for this after the birth of my first son; figured having 4 doors was more "family friendly". Brought this car with us when the family moved to Hawaii.
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(1990-1992) 1990 Escort hatchback (representative picture) Mine was this color as well, with red cloth interior, but a 4 door hatchback (not a wagon). I traded in the 89 Tempo for this while living in Hawaii. Was into CB's back then so ended up decking this car out with CB and PA equipment.
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(1992-1994) 1992 Ford Thunderbird LX (representative picture) Mine was powder blue (ex-wife's preference), a V6, with light blue cloth interior. Traded in the 90 Escort on this. Really nice car, way bigger than the Escort. This car got broken into within like the first month of having it by someone who wanted my radar detector. Got really into alarm systems shortly thereafter.
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(1994-1996) 1994 Ford Thunderbird LX (representative picture) Mine was a dark green V8 with tan cloth interior. Traded in the 92 Thunderbird for this cause my ex-wife wanted the bigger engine. Again, nice car but essentially the exact same thing as the '92, just more expensive; not a very good investment. Put a nice alarm system in this one as well.
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(1995-1996) 1980 Volkswagen Scirocco (representative picture) Mine was silver; a 5 speed (manual) that I bought used for $850.00. Got this car as a second for me so my ex-wife could work. Somehow I ended up with the second job, using this car to deliver pizzas (go figure). I learned how to work a clutch (in theory) by riding motorcycles, but this was the first stick I ever owned.
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(1996-1998) 1986 Toyota Corolla (representative picture) Mine was also white; a Japanese "island" car bought when we moved to Iwakuni, Japan. An "island car" is one that is repeatedly bought and sold by military folks stationed in Japan. Nice car, nothing special.
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(1997-1998) 1990 Honda Accord (representative picture) Mine was also white, another "island" car, bought so my ex-wife could work.
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(1998-present) 1998 Harley Davidson Softail Custom 1340cc, originally black but changed the sheet metal out in 2004 for this two-tone scheme. I bought this bike new from Harley Davidson in Hiroshima, Japan.
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(1999) 1998 Mustang GT (representative picture) Mine was also black, with tan leather interior - looked just about exactly like the one in the picture. This was the first car I bought after returning from Japan (ex-wife's choice). Not a very practical 'family' car, but a sweet ride.
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(-1999) 1988 Toyota Celica convertible (representative picture) This was actually Judy's when I first met her, a brown convertible. She let me drive this during my last few months of TBS when my ex-wife ran off with her boyfriend and the Mustang. I helped Judy sell this car before we moved to California.
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(-1999) 1994 Dodge Intrepid (representative picture) This was also Judy's when I met her but ended up being our first family car once we got married. Ours was white.
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(1999-2004) 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE (representative picture) Ours was light blue - my first (and last) leased vehicle. Got the Mustang back cause my ex-wife didn't want to make the payments and quickly traded it in for this cause of the kids and visitation (at times Judy and I would have all 4 kids with us for weeks at a time).
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(2003-2006) 1992 Mitsubishi Chariot The red one in the picture; another "island" car, but this time in Okinawa. |
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(2003-2006) 1990 Toyota Celica GT convertible White, island car, a convertible. This car was great for the beaches but not much else. |
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(2006-present) 2006 Pontiac Torrent Nice little SUV; V6, tan interior, sunroof. Bought this new when we came back from Okinawa. Judy picked it out; sweet ride. |
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(2007) 1999 Mercury Cougar Silver with black cloth interior; 5 speed. Bought this as a second car so Judy could work, and with the intent of teaching my daughter how to drive a stick and giving it to her when she got her license. The 'stick-shift training' idea was short lived, so sold this and bought my truck (below). |
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(2008-present) 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 "Big Horn" Inferno Red with gray cloth interior. 5.7L Hemi V8, Electronic Shift-on-Demand Transfer Case, Anti-spin Rear Differential, 20" rims, Remote Start (very cool feature). Sweet-ass truck.
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(2009-present) 2006 Kia Spectra SX Black with gray cloth interior. Just bought this for Kayla (her first car), and although I will most likely never actually drive it, Judy and I are paying for it, so it counts (smile). Nice little car.
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