For whatever reason, this year the number of students who can’t drive significantly outnumbers those who can. And, of those few who can, unlike years past, even fewer are willing/able/permitted to help out their non-driving peers (for some, it almost seems like a insurmountable burden, which is unfortunate, because for quite some time, they were the ones in need of rides). As a result, I’ve ended up moving more students than in years past.

The idea of purchasing a van started as a joke between me and Kristen, but over time, I began to realize it would solve the issue at hand. Fortunately, Jonathan is wise in the ways of vehicles, and identified some parameters that would best fit me: V6 4.3 Liter, automatic, rear wheel drive. This quickly narrowed the playing field down to a few vehicle types.

I shared all this with those who are willing pray for me every day. But, time went on, and while I was aware of this goal, no good matches showed up.

Wednesday, this week at the ASU Surplus place, Jonathan discovered an ‘87 Chevy Astro Van on the (sealed bid) auction block. It needed a battery and at least one new tire. I looked it up at Kelly Blue Book and discovered it is worth either $515 (trade in), $905 (private party), or $2,075 (fully reconditioned). I asked him to just make it happen. Jonathan said “If you actually saw it, you wouldn’t be so eager.” But, he realized I really wanted a van, so he bid on it for me. The auction is now closed, but we won’t find out until early next week if I own a van or not.

So, if this all goes well, next week, I will:
Visit the bank to get a cashier’s check for something around $1297.20 (good old Tempe’s 8.1% sales tax).
Call the insurance guy to add another vehicle and have him fax me the proof thing, guessing something around +$50/mo.
Get a Restricted Use 3-Day Permit.
Visit the nearest Arizona Vehicle Emissions Inspection Station. Notice that there aren’t any in Tempe, what’s up with that?
Then finally get my own plates at the Arizona DOT.