The 55 is SOLD!!

[ChuckB]

I don't even know where to begin this post... I have made a few big changes in my life over the last few months. As some of you know, I was planning on getting out of the Navy in September. I thought long and hard about this decision for several months. My wife and I had many long conversations about our present place in life and where we wanted to go in the future. We were both considering a major career change at roughly the same time. We were trying to decide when we should start having children, etc. The end result was that I decided to stay in the Navy. Part of the decision to stay in was the ability to obtain my Masters degree on the Navy's dime. By doing so we have extended our stay here in Hawaii for another year. During those 12 months, I will be a full-time student. While all this was happening and not being sure of our future we decided to move closer to work. I can now literally see my office from my front door. Initially that doesn't sound too appealing, but if you have ever been to Ford Island you'll undertand. I see the Arizona Memorial everday and have a view of the Pearl Harbor from my military supplied housing. Starting in 2 weeks when my wife changes jobs, we will both be able to walk to work together. I don't think there's too many people who can say that! Just that simple change has made our quality of life so much better. We used to waste at least 2-3 hours in traffic/driving per day for the last two years. YES, there is traffic in paradise!! Add to all this that fact that the 55 has not been on any great expeditions or even out of the garage very much, it was just time to let it go. As much as I enjoyed it over the last 12+ months, it just doesn't fit my needs right now. My wife and I can easily survive with one car for atleast the next 2 years.
I thought that I was never going to sell the 55 but, I guess life has a way of changing your plans. I'd venture to say that it was probably the rarest vehicle I will ever own. Hopefully the new owner will appreciate it as much as I have. Now that I have an extra space in the garage, we'll see what happens next...

 

[olympiccop2002]

You did the right thing! It wasn't a snap decision. Sure it sucks to give up such a cool rig but in the grand scheme of things it's nothing. You are thinking for your family and future and that is awesome! Congrats on the sale and good luck in your studies.

Bjorn

 

[bigreen505]

Bummer about the 55, but I really can't find a negative anywhere in your post. Sounds like a pretty good deal all around. Besides, I thought you really missed the 100.

(Note: From someone who spends almost all free time commuting to/from work.)

 

[Hltoppr]

Good call, IMHO. Having a master's degree and no loans to pay off will allow you to get whatever rig you'd like when you're done!

No worries, there will always be cool rigs to play with!

-H-

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

X2 as well, sounds like a well thought out decision in almost all regards! Will be sad to see her go but it is only a car. It would have taking some time and $$ to get that 55 into good long term usable condition and be all that it could be. I think you made the right call... They sure are a work of sheer ugliness/beaty though!

 

[DBS311]

I guess I'm the only one confused here. Usually people sell their "I'm never getting rid of this vehicle" because of extreme financial necessity, but from how you are explaining your situation, I see this as a perfect time to KEEP the 55. You don't need to drive it every day, you don't need to pay for school, you can walk to work along with your wife, etc. Did you just want to be free of something that you didn't get a lot of use from? I'm not trying to dig deep here into your personal life and I'm not trying to be rude.........it's just that you seem to be in a great position to keep it. Great 55's only come along so often

 

[blupaddler]

Congrats Chuck! I know you had been trying to sell the pig, is the pig staying on the island? Or coming to the mainland?

As others have mentioned you will be much better off in the long run with the decisions made.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Another will find you. Sounds like you made the responsible choice!

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I agree with that too. But 55's are old rigs and they can be a little clunky unless you take the lots-of-time-and-energy-and-$$ required to make them cleaner/nicer etc. You have to really love them to keep and use them exclusively... So with life etc, I could see how/why he would choose to get rid of it. i do hope it went to a nice home (and I wish I could have afforded it!)

I guess I'm the only one confused here. Usually people sell their "I'm never getting rid of this vehicle" because of extreme financial necessity, but from how you are explaining your situation, I see this as a perfect time to KEEP the 55. You don't need to drive it every day, you don't need to pay for school, you can walk to work along with your wife, etc. Did you just want to be free of something that you didn't get a lot of use from? I'm not trying to dig deep here into your personal life and I'm not trying to be rude.........it's just that you seem to be in a great position to keep it. Great 55's only come along so often

 

[ChuckB]

Thanks for all the encouragement, it really was a tough decision.

I had been going back and forth between selling and not selling for about 4 months. I agree that I was in a really good situation to keep it. But, other factors trumped that decision. The big one was, if and when we have children, I just really didn't feel safe driving around with a brand new baby in the 55. I'm sure it's probably been done before, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. One of the other big factors was $$. The 55 was in pretty good shape. There where definite areas that needed some rust repairs, and I could have easily spent $10-15K just making it right cosmetically. I sort of have an OCD, perfectionist attitude and I wanted every nut and bolt to be cherry. I had already spent about $30K in my head without even thinking too hard. Add to this the fact that I'm going to be going to a 3-year sea tour down the road and I just couldn't justify having the Cruiser sit idle for a majority of that time.

So finally after 4-6 months of waiting for the right offer, I finally received one I could live with.

I know I'm putting myself in a better situation financially which makes the decision a little easier. I will miss all the thumbs-up and honks I received every time I drove it. That was always cool.

I'm also looking forward to see where this new push for fuel efficient vehicles takes the market. I'm really hoping for the diesel 200-series. I might be able to afford one in 7 years!!!

 

[calamaridog]

Good move. It was the wrong place/time for that LC.

How many years did you have to sign on for?

 

[ChuckB]

How many years did you have to sign on for?

It is for a 3 year sea tour but, it ends up being more like 5 years if you count the year I'm in post-grad school and the 9 months of Navy school prior to reporting to the ship.