I’ve decided it’s time to say goodbye to the mini-van years. They started with a 1990 Mazda MPV that despite its four sets of brakes in six years served us well. Then there was the 1998 Plymouth Voyager that took us all over the West Coast, and to Idaho and across the country when we moved to Brentwood.

Unfortunately, it died in Vermont when we were on our 2005 Leathers’ Family Culinary Tour – Hershey Park (chocolate), Maine (lobster rolls) and Waterbury, Vt. (Ben & Jerry’s ice cream). Needless to say we made the car salesman’s decade when we walked into the closest dealership we could find and said, “This is your lucky day.”

We left Tennessee in a maroon 1996 SE edition and came home in a green 2005 Chrysler Town & Country Touring one. Unfortunately, the two vans were so much alike, the boys and I commented that we felt robbed of that special high that comes with a new car.

Larry just felt robbed.

Which brings me to my new car. It’s a 2011 Honda Fit Sport. I don’t really know much about it, but according to Edmunds.com, while it’s “no longer the only choice for a fun-to-drive, well-rounded subcompact … it remains the hands-down utility champ.” I figure for dashing around town, and to the Municipal Building to keep all of our public figures on their toes, it will be great.

The pros, says Edmunds, are many: “Impressive cargo room and cabin versatility; spacious backseat; fun to drive; excellent visibility; good fuel economy.”

OK, there are a few cons.  “Pervasive wind and road noise; laggardly acceleration with automatic transmission; no height adjustment for driver seat” but that’s OK by me. Listen, I started with a ’57 Plymouth, and then graduated to a Dodge Coronet 440. My first official car was a ’77 Chevy Chevette (read that, my parents gave me the coupon book). That gave way to a lemon of a Chevy Cavalier station wagon, an ’86 Nova and then the first mini-van.

Someday I dream of having a real luxury car. I also dream of making the median Brentwood income but that’s another column.

I think the Honda and I will be a good fit. Of course, there is the matter of 999 other people who hope my Fit fits them as well.

The Church of the Advent, just over the Davidson County Line but close enough for us to claim it, is giving away the brand-new car in a special raffle (yes, it’s legal). I splurged and spent $50 on one of the tickets because I know I bought the winner. But since it’s for a good cause – the proceeds will benefit the church’s mission projects – you should consider buying a ticket for a chance to win the second place prize, an iPad2 (valued at $600) or the $250 cash third prize.

The drawings will be held Sept. 18. My new best friend Phocian Sampson says his church has had raffles before but this year it is really stepping out on faith by offering such a big prize. With only 1000 tickets being sold, the odds of winning are way better than the Powerball.

In recent weeks Mr. Sampson and friends have sold the tickets at Brentwood’s Harris-Teeter and the Old Hickory/Franklin Road Walgreens; they hope to do that again soon. But in the meantime, if you’d like to purchase a ticket, or want more information, contact the church at 373-5630 or visit its website at www.adventnashville.org.

Like I said, the chances to win the iPad or $250 cash are great opportunities. And if you need a “new” car, on Sept. 19, I’ll be happy to sell you a great mini-van!

Susan Leathers is editor of Brentwood Home Page. Click here to read previous columns. Email her at susan@brentwoodhomepage.com