Hi Dan,

For me the car is invaluable. I had planned to keep it until I was finished driving cars and so I never hesitated to spend money on it. I have believed for decades that this is the way to manage car ownership, that this is the most economical and sensible way to run a car. Find one that you like to drive and keep it for life.

I am hopeless at buying and selling cars. I always lose money on the deals. And I hate losing money to depreciation. I bought this car in 1992 because it was ten years old and most of the depreciation had already been wrung out of it. It has been a real soldier over the intervening 22 years of ownership.

But, because I like to fiddle with cars I have had its body repaired on a number of occasions whenever a little extra money came my way. I didn't have to spend the money but I always preferred to spend it on this mechanical companion. In general my wife agreed, if I spent the money on THIS car. I also bought and sold a Model T Ford and currently own a Citroen D Super and I lucked into a 940 last year that I picked up for three hundred dollars. As per usual I lost money on the Ford when I sold it on ebay. My wife does not want me to spend money on THESE cars.

I will do what I can to ease the burden for this young guy and just hope that he doesn't break my heart when and if he tires of it. I admire his work ethic. He asked me to name the price and said he would work through the summer to pay for it. I will surprise him with a return of some of the money when he comes to pay for it.

Thanks for your input, Dan.