Chug-a-lug Retirement

Elizabeth and I recently purchased a small Kia from family friends. The car is the replacement for the 92 Subaru Loyale wagon affectionately known as the Chug-a-lug. The Chug-a-lug and I had some great adventures over the years, I feel that it is only fitting to provide a quick tribute to such a great teammate.

The Chug-a-lug and I became teammates when the totally awesome Meyers family relocated to Australia. Unable to move the car with them to Australia, the very very generous Meyers gave me the Chug-a-lug for free. The timing was simply a miracle. I had recently gotten a job in Wichita and needed to relocate from Denver. I had been living for two years without a car and was sorely in need of transportation.

At the time that I received the Chug-a-lug it had just less than 200,000 miles on it. The frame was a little banged up from an earlier accident, which occurred prior to the Meyers ownership. The engine always made a little noise, probably from a stuck valve lifter (hence the nickname). It was the perfect grad school / new job vehicle.

Over the five years that I owned the Chug-a-lug we traveled an additional 15,000 miles here in the Wichita area. I think the furthest I ever drove it was to Arkansas City, a town approximately 69 miles southeast of Wichita. The car served me very faithfully, with only one problem when the battery died. I had it regularly serviced and only spent a few hundred dollars making minor replacements for parts that had gradually worn out over the years.

Over the years the Chug-a-lug saved me some serious cash. It wasn’t great on mileage, but the insurance was cheep, and thanks to the totally awesome Meyers I didn’t owe any payments. Because of the money I saved, I was able to spring for an awesome roof rack off Ebay and yellow bicycle carriers. They added a little flair to car and made it a little sporty.

The Chug-a-lug wasn’t much to look at. I always knew that my dates saw more than material wealth when they went out with me, after seeing the car ha. However, the Chug-a-lug was one of the best cars out there on the road in the incremental weather. It got me through blizzards, ice storms, and gully washers.

I’ll miss the Chug-a-lug, but don’t worry because it’s adventures aren’t entirely over. I sold it to an auto recycler who also runs a low-end dealership. Maybe it will end up on the road again, ether whole or as contributing parts in other cars. Either way, the Chug-a-lug had a great run and has more to come.

To replace the Chug-a-lug we acquired a pastor-mobile from the pastor that married us. His family was moving to Montana, and needed to find a home for the Kia. It is an awesome little car with some spunk. Over time I’m sure that we’ll have adventures with the Kia to post.