“So, honestly. What do you think?” I asked, with hope still in my eye.

“Honestly? I don’t think it’s worth it.”

Although I knew the words he spoke were true, it was still depressing to hear. Sure, I’ve known full well since the trip to Cape May years ago that it was about time for my car to be laid to rest, but I was in denial. That denial didn’t give in when I lost both of my side-view mirrors. In fact, it didn’t give in when the brakes started to stick. Hell, it didn’t even give in when the engine started making a ridiculously loud sound whenever you turned it on (I still maintain that it was simply “purring” like a kitten. An angry kitten, but a kitten nonetheless).

But here was this man — a mechanic — telling me to put my car to bed. You know your car is unsafe when an auto mechanic turns down a prospective $2,000 to fix it… and tells you you’re better off with a new one.

“If you’re going to drive it home, you’ve got to promise me that you’ll put it in the driveway and never, ever drive it again.”

Was that last remark unnecessary? Well, probably not… because the front left tire is in danger of snapping off… but it certainly felt that way. After all, the Falcon’s been a good friend… and, hey, it’s outlived its life expectancy every day for the past year, when I first figured it was dead.

What the Millenium Falcon probably looked like some 13 years ago. Imagine it now with a huge dent in the right side, no side view mirrors, different tires, and assorted missing pieces from the undercarriage

Well… it was a good run while it lasted.