My dad, now 83 has been in the car business for at least 50 years. When he retired, it was time for cell phone and pager to continue his work. He was as busy as ever, but didn't wear a suit every day. He has taught so many people the art of selling cars, dealing with people, etc... that I couldn't begin to count how many. My dad can read people like a book and is very intuitive when it comes to handling people and situations where everyone is happy with the result, yet dad gets HIS desired outcome. When I was growing up, I don't ever remember mom and dad owning a car. Dad usually drove a demo home. I remember one time that my mom and I went to a local mall and drove a car that dad had at home. After our shopping and chatting, we came out to the parking lot. I asked my mom if she remembered where we parked. In turn, she asked me if I remembered what kind and color of car we were driving. I must say we have a great sense of humor, and I remember to this day how much we laughed about that episode. Mom knew that if she ever did own a car, it was always "for sale"! The last car my mom owned, she absolutely forbid him to sell it! Over the years, it was not uncommon to have a few cars in the driveway. I never knew if mom and dad had company, or if dad had cars waiting to deliver to someone. It was his niche in life and he has taught GM a few things or two with many presentations. My dad knows so many people in the car business, and trained so many people that he is my number one "go to" person when it comes to anything about cars. He has a friend that has a dealership that he has known since high school. Needless to say, when it comes to purchasing cars, my dad is right there with me. After all, he probably invented many of the "wheels and deals"!! My brother has also inherited a love for cars as well as the ability to be a wonderful salesman! I'm tempted to go into the dealership where he works and ask for the best looking salesman! HAHA! My brother would get a kick out of that for sure. Always being around different cars, and having two older brothers, I inherited a love for cars. I drove a jeep in college and a sporty Mazda RX-7 for a bit. I even learned how to drive a manual transmission and really missed it after driving one for about 7 years. I missed it a lot until I found it was more fun to drink my cup of coffee than shift gears. Stop and go traffic in the Atlanta area was really a pain for a manual transmission, not to mention that the office where I worked, had to have the steepest hill EVER!! I can't tell you how many times I would curse the people behind me for getting on my bumper! I managed to never have any snafus though...thank goodness! When my children were young and up until they had their own cars, I drove practical vehicles. Accord and civic were my cars of choice. After my sons were grown, it was time to drive what I really wanted.....a convertible!! Yes, a two seat convertible with nothing practical about it! Since it is my only vehicle, I tell people that it actually does save me money! If I can't fit it in my car, then I can't purchase it. Dad and I are so much alike. At 83, he is driving a convertible too. I'm going for it, don't care if it's not practical, don't care what people say....It's my car and I enjoy feeling the sun and wind as I drive. I'd have a motorcycle too, but my dad would not be at all pleased. I just have to find friends who own them so I can go on a ride on occasion.
