My daily driver for the last twelve years has been a big black Ford Expedition – Eddie Bauer Limited with all the options. I’ve logged 265,000 miles on the ol’ boy and it has been a really good vehicle. Put a K&N intake and a Gibson cat-back exhaust on it after warranty ran out and saw mileage jump 10% in town and almost 20% on the road. I recently had to rebuild the rear end as the axles were worn at the seals and the bearings and clutches were growling. Gone through a few sets of tires and it’s working on the third set of plugs but in general it has been a great rig. Never a ding on it and the paint still shines nice and other than the driver’s seat, the leather is like new. I found a deal on a newer Navigator and the Expedition became surplus.

Called the local rescue mission to donate it and they didn’t seem too excited to come get it rather asked if I could drive across town and drop it off. Hmmm – not too convenient. Tried the Veterans and they also had a “few questions…” so I ended up giving it to a young couple with four kids in our church who have been battling an old Land Rover that has turned into a money pit. Washed and detailed the interior and it looked good. There were a lot of hugs and some happy tears when they came to get it. Gave them a file on all service records, the title and a check for $86 to transfer the title and let him know that with regular oil changes and some TLC this rig could see another 100K.

Joanie and I maybe got a bit misty eyed as well – it sure felt like the right thing to do. Our hope is that they get a lot of miles out of it.

Best way ever to let a car go.