Owning a Dodge Durango is Bittersweet Memories for Me

This assignment was supposed to be about trucks, and yes, I know that a Durango is an SUV. My daughter-in-law calls her Durango a truck so I decided that I do have a story to tell you about why my Durango is the best truck I ever owned. Quite simply, it is a gift that carries a precious memory for me.

Cars Trucks and SUVs: What's Best?

You know how you like a certain kind of vehicle best? There really is no rational reason for it. Some people like cars the best and some people like trucks better. When I was younger, I drove sporty little fast cars. Numerous hot rods past through our household over the years. My husband drove a truck for work purposes, but I preferred fast cars.

As I got older, I moved on to liking trucks best because they were big and comfortable. You could load groceries and kids into them quite easily. Truck beds are great for those yard sale finds that won't fit in a car. Besides, living in the country it just makes sense to own a truck.

I fell in love with the Dodge Durango the first time I saw one. Dodge seemed to capture the best of both the sporty cars and a pick up truck in the body lines of the Durango. I would look at a Durango rolling down the highway and long for one of my own. My husband knew how badly I wanted a Durango. We even looked at a few new ones.

Unfortunately, new Durango's were very expensive and as a big SUV the gas mileage was not the best. We looked at used ones, but my husband was always cautious about how they had been driven. So, I kept driving a truck even though I liked Durango's the best.

How I Came to Own a Durango is Bittersweet

Owning the 2001 Dodge Durango I have now is bittersweet. Years ago, my husband told me that "if and when we could buy a Dodge Durango straight out, I would have one." After awhile I forgot about my desire to own one and gladly continued driving my truck.

In 2009, my husband passed away after a battle with cancer. A few months after losing him, I met with a financial adviser. She advised that I take a portion of the insurance money and buy a better vehicle, as I was driving an old Ford pick up truck that was not in the best shape. I told her that I would look around.

My son and I were driving down the street a few days later and sunlight seemed to blind me from bouncing off of something. Looking around for the source, I saw this beautiful silver Durango sitting in the front line at a used car dealer.

My son saw it too and asked if I wanted to turn around and go look at it. I told him I thought it would cost more than I wanted to spend. He turned around anyway. As soon as I walked up to it, I was in love. You'd just have to be a car enthusiast to understand.

When the salesmen came out, I was shocked to hear that the Durango was just a few hundred more then I wanted to spend. When my son pointed out that the tires on it were not the best, the price came down to the amount I had. After a quick test drive and a going over, my son assured me that it was in great shape.

As I drove home in my Durango, I felt a bittersweet emotion. It was almost as if my husband was there with me and smiling. It was like his final gift to me, and I feel him with me every time I drive that vehicle. He always did keep his word....

More articles by this writer:

Tips for Affording Insurance on a New SUV
Reasons to Keep my Gas Guzzling SUV
How to Replace the Tail Light in a Durango