"Bertha" - A Eulogy

It was late 2003 and she was brand-new, right off the assembly line.  She was 2004 Volkswagen Touareg and she was the first-year model of her kind.

She was loaded with extra plush heated leather seating, a big V-8, moonroof and virtually anything else you could think of as accessories at the time.  She was also big and heavy, even for an SUV.

It was late in the model year so there were some decent discounts to be had.  He saw her sitting in front of the dealership and she looked good so he invited his family to join him for a closer look and test drive.  Approval was unanimous so the they did the deal and took her home.  He quickly named her "Bertha" after the WWII bomb because she looked...well...she looked big.

The original "Big Bertha"

Fifteen years later she has accumulated over 130 thousand miles and enough infirmities that it is time for her to be put down.  Ironically, she still looks good though and her mighty engine still runs strong.

There are some folks claiming to be wise who suggest that when considering whether to buy or lease a new vehicle you should include your best guess as to how long you think you will keep it.  "If buying," they say, "drive it until the wheels fall off."  That is how it is/was with Bertha although we sure didn't start out with that intent.

"Bertha" - December 9, 2018
Still looks good on the outside
but inside...she's toast.

Some (other) folks also advise against buying a vehicle in its first model year as there will likely be bugs that have to be worked out.  That was sort of the case with Bertha as she did leave us stranded and using tow services a couple of times.  She also had this very annoying problem of chattering windshield wipers that ended up being replaced many times over the years.  Plus, a few nonessential parts fell off but we just left them off.  All in all though, she held up well.

Bertha became our go-to family ride...hauling the Campbell family to their many soccer games, school and work.  Since I was a pitiful road warrior and gone much of the time, Bertha evolved from "company car" to Julieann's wheels and that was that through most of her life.

Being a full-size SUV, Bertha was also a tall entry so when the World's Greatest Goldie, Molly grew old she would put her front paws up in back and patiently wait for one of us to heist her butt the rest of the way in.

So that's it...she has been donated to National Public Radio.  Thanks for the fine, long ride Bertha.