Goodbye Astra, Hello Zafira

Posting delayed as I'd just gotten the pix off the camera...

The hub had been grumbling about the condition of our almost 5-year-old Opel Astra.

The dear ol' car broke down a couple of times over the last year for no apparent reason; the air conditioner got cranky when we needed it to work most; and it's frightfully uncomfortable when we make weekend trips to the supermarket with the hub, myself, MIL, DIL, kids and our domestic help squashed in the car.

Yes. It's time to get a bigger car.

The hub had recalculated our finances - we'd been drained of our savings after paying up for our haven @ arif and we’d only recently managed to improve our cash flow (lotsa scrimping and starving on my end). Don't ask me to explain but apparently it would no longer be worth keeping the car after March 2007. It's much less expensive buying a new car!

This only happens in Singapore where it’s more affordable to own a spanking new car than preserving an old car. Weird, I know.

Anyway, about a month ago - actually it was on 2 Dec 2006 - we made a trip down to Opel's car showroom along Ubi Close. The hub's been doing his homework to scout around for the "best car deal" (He's in the market research industry, so he knows exactly what type of information he needs, and he's so meticulous he doesn't leave any stone unturned. Besides, he's the driver, not me). He's also test-driven most of the cars that fit our needs. But most importantly, the hub had to convince himself that he'll no longer be driving a saloon car - size does matter and we have to purchase a Multi Purpose Vehicle a.k.a. MPV which can seat 7 people. Based on our budget and considerations, the Opel Zafira 2.2 (Auto) was the perfect choice.

We spent almost 2 hours on that Saturday afternoon in the showroom getting the paperwork and payment sorted out. And for the 2nd time this year, I realised that I was as poor as a churchmouse. My heart *nearly* needed to be jolted back by godzillion watts of electricity when the credit card was swiped through the machine and the hub penned his signature on the charge slip...

*ack* No more LOTR toys from Canada or the States. :'(

Actually I was rather upset that we were selling the Astra. Although I'd driven it only ONCE, I'd grown very fond of it and the thought of getting “rid” of the car saddened me greatly. It was our 2nd car (the 1st was a cheap old beat-up 7-year-old Volkswagen Vento which lasted us 9 months), and ferried us faithfully around the island, including trips to Mt. Alvernia Hospital where the girls were born. Our trusty Astra's been covered with baby poo, vomit and every conceivable solid and liquid, edible or otherwise. When we packed and moved homes, the dependable Astra zipped about with half our furniture and personal belongings in her boot and seats.

Argh. I'm rambling on like the sentimental fool I am. And Astra's not even a breathing living being!

The day finally arrived for us to collect the new car. The agent had called a few days earlier to inform us we could pop over at 5pm on 29 December 2006. The hub returned home early and I dressed the kids. We took a few pictures with Astra before setting off to the Opel showroom where we would trade the Astra for the Zafira.

It was an odd feeling as the hub took us on a final spin in Astra. Suddenly, she no longer looked like our beloved Astra – there was emptiness as I glanced around the almost bare Astra – wen’s car seat had been removed together with the umbrellas, toys, CDs, tissue boxes and other knick-knacks, leaving only the car decals and Looney Tunes head rest covers.

The sales agent spent about an hour guiding and demonstrating to us the functions of the MPV. Once the final documents were signed, it was time to drive home in Zafira. While the hub reversed the new car out of the showroom, the kids and I trooped out solemly to the carpark where Astra was resting. We clambered into the cushioned seats one last time and said our final farewell to our reliable brick-red car. We walked around Astra, blowing kisses and hugs at her, and got the agent to take more pictures as we posed with our Astra for the last time.

And I choked as a lump formed in my throat.

We got into Zafira and I wrinkled my nose as I took a whiff of the overpowering new leather seat smell (definitely not a fan of leather). The hub cruised along as he tried to get used to driving the new (automatic) car. Another agent drove Astra away – to be scrapped or exported, depending on the routine assessment on her condition. And we followed closely behind till we reached the junction and had to go in another direction.

Then it happened.

I started to cry.

The tears were streaking down my face and my voice broke as xian shouted goodbye to Astra, turned to me and asked where the (old) car was going. Then she saw my red eyes brimming with tears, and started to probe why I was crying.

It seemed silly to explain to her the tumultuous emotions I was experiencing over a car. A non-living thing. But to me, Astra wasn’t “just a car”. She’d been through two pregnancies with me. My kids “grew up” (and threw up) in the same car. I’d formed an emotional attachment with Astra also because she was our 1st new car.

Farewell Astra. Thank you for your services. I’ll miss the worn, comfortable cushioned seats and familiar brown-red hue.

Goodness gracious, I’m tearing up just thinking about this…

Pass me the tissues. Quick!

*bawl*

Goddamit, I’m an overly sensitive, emotional wuss.