The Guys At Enterprise

I've been on a car journey this year! It started in February when I rolled my Honda Pilot in the canyon during an incredible spring storm.

After my Pilot, I had a rental truck for about a month... then ended up with a Ford Econoline 12-passenger Van. I used that last summer for hauling and transporting items for different folks and businesses. I never had a TON of work, but always enough to keep the family going.

I was driving the van around in September of this year with some serious issues... mostly with the brakes. Thank goodness it was summer! I was driving up and down the canyon and would hear (and feel) this awful sound coming from the front of the van by the tires. It was dangerous to say the least! Although I would always down shift on the way down the canyon, it was critical that I went down to the lowest gear I had, to make it down the canyon safely. I had enough and finally took all the money I had, which was about $100 and took the van into the shop to get the brakes looked at.... I was hoping to get them fixed.

The mechanics checked it out.... not good. One of the men that checked it out took me into the garage and showed me the brakes. He said they weren't "normal" car brakes. They were on the 1-ton van and were "heavy duty." So the brakes were all connected to a "hub" and they were going to cost $700 just to replace the front ones! He said they were metal on metal at this point and he wouldn't advise driving it anymore. He said it was really dangerous to have it on the road.

So, when I get angry, it's usually productive. ;)

I thanked the nice man and decided that day was the day I would take the van to be traded. That was my only option and it was going to be winter soon anyway... the van was rear wheel drive. That wasn't going to work in the snow.

I loaded all of the kiddos into the van with some snacks and things to do. We took the van to a vacuum and I got to work cleaning it out. I was going to get another vehicle.... whatever it took to get that accomplished. It was on... ;)

The kiddos and I drove the van to dealership after dealership. Nobody wanted a 12-passenger van.... and everyone told me I would not be able to trade it in for anything. I didn't want anything more expensive than the worth of the van. I wanted a vehicle that would fit my crew in the same price range as the van.... around $5500-6000. We stopped at around a dozen dealerships or more, until we came to Enterprise Car Sales in Englewood, CO! Ya know I live in the mountains, right? Well, Englewood isn't close... ;)

The kids were troopers! What an amazing group of souls.... just love 'em.

I pulled up to Enterprise, parked the van to the side with the kiddos in it, took a deep breath, and started to walk to the front door. I met Dan, the car salesman, about half way there. He walked up with a genuine smile on his face.

I told him what I had, what I was looking for and what my day had been like. He was so responsive and genuinely wanted to help. I unloaded the crew and we got down to business.

There was one car on the lot that was in my range, that would fit my crew, that he could work out some type of deal with. It was a Mercury Sable wagon... with flip out backseats! So it fits 7, it's in the $6000 range, and he would take the van! Yay!

To make a long story short, I was going to pay an additional $700 that they were going to "float" me over the next 7 months. I could pay $100 a month and sign the van over to them. Saweet! And the car had a one year warranty on major parts/labor. Done deal... even though I had NO idea how I'd come up with the $100 a month. It was just going to work out.

Well.... not so fast!

The car ended up having serious electrical issues and some type of fuel pump issue.... both of which are still present. But, oh well.... I can live with that. Not so dangerous and sometimes the crew and I just have to sit it out for an hour or so, until the fuel line kicks in.

Good news! They finally asked me to stop bringing the car back for repairs, just accept it AS IS, and they would not charge me the additional $700. I agreed.

So, today was yet another surgery on my legs and I happened to be in the area of Enterprise Car Sales. After my outpatient surgery, I headed over to see the guys and hand them the van's updated title (had to get a new title for the van as the old one was from Arkansas). They gave me the title work for my car and I gave them the title work for their van. ;)

It was such a great reunion! It was great to see the guys and Steve gave me a free emissions voucher to help me get tags on the car. They always ask about the crew and how things are going. Steve tried to get the guys at Firestone to work with the warranty company on the fuel pump issue, but to no avail. I guess the pump has to go COMPLETELY out before the warranty kicks in.... right now, it's intermittent.

Steve and Dan are the best and I SO appreciate them for helping me and the kiddos get a great deal on a car that at least runs. They are genuine, real, down-to-earth, car salesmen. I have never met such honest guys at a dealership!

They weren't judgmental... just helpful.

So grateful. Yet more "Earth Angels" appearing in my life. Super grateful.

As for my car.... it has character to say the least. ;) It'll work out. Someday I will get the electrical fixed and the fuel pump taken care of. I'm not worried about it...

or maybe I'll just upgrade to an Escalade... black with tan interior... newer model... hybrid... beautiful!!!! ;)