24 ~ North Shore News - Friday, July 21, 2000

‘openroad
Sober sece

Have vehicles
fully inspected
before buying

Rick Coghill
Contributing Writer

PVE always tried to

<simpress upon my
clients who are in the
market for a used car
to have it inspected by
an unbiased mechanic
before they sign on the
dotted line.

Rep Tyler seems to have
taken my advice and applied it
with a vengeance. This was
the third vehicle he had
brought in today.

“Rep,” I said, shaking my.
head, “are you sure you want
‘to be owaing a ‘66 Rambler
. Classic? It’s not exactly a step
up from your old truck, you
_ know.”

Rep’s eves shone as he
admired the old car. “But it
only has 50,000 miles on it,
Slim! Why, it’s hardly been
driven.”

I sighed. “No doubt
there’s a very good reason
why it’s barely been on the
road. IT suggest you keep
looking.”

Earlier that morning he
had brought in the first gem.
The late 80°s Buick didn’t
seem too bad until we looked
underneath. The front cross-
member was bashed up so
high, the radiator was rub-
bing on the hood. Rep was
philosophical. “Well, at feast it
has loss of ground clearance.”

The little Nissan pickup
that arrived an hour later w.
n’t much better. “Rep,” I
said, lowering the hoist, “I
don’t think they're supposed
to bend in half like that when
you lift them up.”

__ He scratched his ear.
“Frame’s a little rusty, ch?”

After returning the

Rambler to the car Jot, Rep

VW extravaganza slated

"HAVE plans this
-_ Sunday?

~2 IF you ean get : a reasonable
“air fare (that’s easier said than
done), jet down to the

- Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim,

"Calif... for’ Volkswagen’s
’, DriversFest 2000.

‘> Barenaked Ladies will treat
“Volkswagen .owners to two
new songs from their forth-
coming album and a set of hits.

*; .° DriversFest. 2000. is an
annual
~ ‘together Volkswagen owners

, from around the nations and
“celebrates the spirit and fun of
. the brand. It features hands-on
- ‘driving events, sporting activi-

event. that brings |

ties, live rock music and much
more.

Last summer, more than
9,000 Volkswagen enthusiasts
from around the continent
converged on Long Island,
N.Y., for the first national
Volkswagen owner’s event.

DriversFest ‘99 provided
enthusiasts the opportunity to
drive new models on profes-
sionally designed courses, 2
Volkswagen car show with

_more than 500 entries; in-line

skating; swimming; biking; a
day-long music - festival and
much more. -

Call 1-800-435-4201 for

DriversFest 2000 information
_, OF go to www.vw.com. ©

8" Annual

“DOG DAYS. OF SUMMER”

A fun-filled day of dog demonetrations,
~ dog games, dog races and dog contests.
’. Fun for dogs, dog owners and spectators of all ages.
All proceeds to the British Columbia Guide Dog Services.

FREE ADMISSION! J

Sunday, August 13"
Snug Cove, Bowen Island

| @ Registration: 11 a.m~l2 noon-
@ Contest & games: 12 noon—3 p.m.

” Enter between one and all contests
for one price of $5.00

of Phone: 947-0707 for more information

Le. & eae LASIK VISION

tried the classified ads. “How
about this baby?” he hollered
above the noise of a boom-
box stereo cranked to the
max.

I switched off the racket.
“Hear that other loud noise?”
He nodded. “That ain’r your
sub-woofers; that’s rod bear-
ings ready to blow sky-high.”

Rep whistled. “An’ here I
thought it was a new dance
bear.”

T have to admire his
patience, though. After a
Rabbit belching blue smoke,

a 4x4 that had seen too much
airtime, and an Escort that
leaked more oil than the
Exxon Valdez, Rep finally set-
ted on a reliable vehicle.

“But it’s your old truck,” I
protested.

“Yep,” he replied, gazing
at it fondly. “She’s never let
me down yet. I figure with a
few repairs, we’ve got a bright
future together.”

Slim’s Tip: When buying a
used vehicle, the line “It’s
been through our shop and

if it’s news,
then it’s in
the News.

Retry & Hearty

280 ft/ibs torque at 2,400 rpm
onic transmission © *DSTC
slaminated glass

fully safety inspected!” does-
n't carry much weight. Get
your second opinion from
someone you've dealt with
and trust.

A $60 inspection tee is
well worth it.

Rick Ci eg bill is from
Stmnerland, B.C. Along with
being a humour columnist in
various mayacines ard news-
papers, be also owns Rick's
Automotive Services — Ltd.
Dealing with customers and
their cars for aver 20 years gives
him lots to write about. He can
be contacted via e-mail at
<R_Cogbill@telus.net>.

. Insurance repalis=

Government

We are mera
ul ‘inspection stati
ARA body shop
183 Pemberton Ave. North Van.’ 985-71 95.

j o.cars & trucks.
vou own: R VEHICLE

3 oe
se ee gee

fd
Bay

wtomajive Service Shop
TALK LKIN ING

Tae.

2000 WOLWo $70
Volvo Price $41,290 |

* Price $36,888 .

PLUS

3.9% Fi Finance.

Pus.
SKIP THE FIRST 2 PAYMENTS

Our

“ Volvo Price $61,880” 7

* Our
Price

39%!

eand much more”

‘57, 888

PLUS’

Finance
or ae

Volvo of North. Vancouver
Sales & Leasing - 986-9889 -

m1 0 Marine Drive, North Vancouver .

“across from PACIFIC HONDA.