We bought a ute

Finally we have transportation around Australia! For those who haven't read our post "Aussie slangs"- a Ute is what Australians call trucks. The girls and I have been searching for a truck/SUV since we got here. We were looking for something four wheel drive, since its required for some of the islands we are planning to go on, we also needed something that would hold all of our stuff (packs, luggage, camping gear, etc.) We had the whole town looking out for exactly what we needed. After many failed car shopping days, we finally found "the one". We are so sorry Mike for having you come car shopping with us every time. However, we genuinely thank you for all of your patience.


Our new Ute is a Mitsubishi Triton. It is has 4 doors, a covered truck bed and fits all of our needs. Oh, anddddd it was UNDER our budget. Don't worry, we had our new friend/machanic Andy take a look at it before our purchase. Actually, he was the one that found it for us. On Sunday, Mike and Liz we're shopping in the town closest to us, Murray Bridge. They called to let us know that there was a Ute for sale that they think we would like for our trip (it was also, a Mitsubishi Triton, was tricked out with TVs, radio, cubby holders, etc.) Later that day, our friend Brad brought us down to go check it out. He called his friend Andy to come and meet us to check out the mechanical side of it. After test driving it, we realized it was a peice. Luckily, Brad and Andy convinced us to go to one more dealer down the street. Andy talked to a dealer, Carl that he knew and told him our needs. Carl told him about this Ute that they just got in on Friday and would see what he could do for us. Long story short, we fell in love with it and needed to wait until Monday to find out the price. Brad called us on Monday morning to let us know the price of the car and that Andy said it was a good running car. Seeing as this was Andy's job, we trusted him. When we got home from work on Monday, we told Lizzie about the good news. Soon after, us girls, and thankfully, Mike, went down to go look at the car.

Mike and Sarah checking the ute pre-purchase

We test drove the car like it was a rental... brought it off roading, checked the 4 wheel drive, etc. Mike also agreed that it was an amazing deal. We drove the Ute off of the lot that day and we're so incredibly happy. The first song that came on while we were driving it away was "wanted dead or alive" by Bon Jovi... how fitting.

Grace driving us off the lot

Driving off the lot.. you can see our excitement

There's also one extra fun point... its a manual. Grace is the only one out of the three of us that could drive a manual. However, it is something that Sarah and I have wanted to try for a while. My dad, uncle, and all of my ex boyfriends could attest that this will be a challenge for me to learn. I have tried several of times but this time I'm ready! Last night we went to dinner at a family friends, and a 15 year old did an amazing job teaching me.. I think I did petty well. Way to go Nikki for having undivided patience to show me!

Step 1 of our journey is now complete, I can't wait to see where this lovely Ute is going to take us in the next year!