There’s no turning back now since the ticket is booked. I’m flying to Calgary Sunday afternoon to start really shopping for my new toad!
The plan, loose as it is, is this:
-get to my hotel Sunday night and comb the for sale ads for trucks that have potential
-make some calls if it’s before 9PM or else send emails and try to book a couple of showings in the morning
-Monday, see as many trucks as I can and book the best candidate into an inspection shop the next day (a big if as an inspection shop might not have an appointment on Tuesday…)
-if the inspection results are good on Tuesday, pay for the truck, get my insurance papers, register the vehicle (note to self: remember to put license plate in suitcase)
-Wednesday, get whatever I need to make the truck comfortable for sleeping and drive from Calgary to my property in SK (why do I find that hilarious?): 745KM
-Thursday drive from my property to Grand Forks, ND (I wonder if the customs officials at Portal will recognize me): 820KM
-Friday drive from Grand Forks to Sault Ste Marie, ON: 1,100km
-Saturday drive from the Sault to Chambly: 1,100km
WHEW
Of course, the drive back will depend on how I feel and I will lengthen and shorten the days as needed.
As for what I am going to be looking for:
-Ford Ranger, 1995 or newer
-manual transmission
-4L engine
-must have canopy/topper on the box
-regular cab
-will favour trucks with a complete maintenance history
Wish me luck!
Good luck! Don’t forget Craigslist.
Craigslist is useless in Alberta. 🙁 My main source there is Kijijiji.
Good luck! I bought a ’01 Dodge Dakota last fall to tow my little travel trailer with and I can remember how nervous I was that day I drove out to see it for the first time. Just like you I had very specific requirements , I got so lucky to find what I really wanted pretty quickly – large topper included. 😉
Good Luck with the shopping. Something will come your way, just for you!
WHEW! is right! So with that schedule does that mean we won’t be hearing from you along the way?
Safe trip anyways.
West Coast (for now)
Vicki
Becky, I think that having a very specific list is both good and bad. Bad because it means you might miss the equally suitable gem that’s next on the list and good because you can pounce when you find it.
Vicki, everything else has fallen into place, so I’m sure the right truck will come, too! I’m only bringing my iPad with me, so I will be at the mercy of wifi! I will definitely be able to post from the hotel room, but once I get back on the road, who knows.
Wow, this is ambitious. Good luck finding the right truck! I detest car shopping and can’t imagine doing it with that kind of pressure… I thought a week was bad enough a few months ago when we had to replace my daughter’s car after an accident. But as good as you are thinking things through in advance, that gives you the ability to recognize the right vehicle when you see it. You will be fine, I am sure.
We’re all rooting for you.