Flint man drives home 53rd Cadillac in 53 years

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By Beth Boehne

FLINT, Mich. (AP) — There are loyal customers, and then there's Joseph Macko.

The 84-year-old Flint man has bought or leased a new Cadillac every year since 1955, the year Disneyland opened in Anaheim, Calif., and Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., bus.

"You only live one time. Money is to spend," he told The Flint Journal. "I spend it once I get it."

Macko, a retired General Motors Corp. worker, used to buy a new car every year, but he's been leasing the last few years. Last week, he drove home this year's fresh set of wheels — a black 2009 Cadillac DTS — from the Al Serra Auto Plaza in Grand Blanc.

"He looks forward every year to buying a new car," said Gordon Taylor, who has been Macko's salesman for 22 years. "He wants that same vehicle."

Marcella Macko says her husband isn't the spendthrift he might seem — he saves up all year to pay for a new car.

But, she said, she just doesn't get excited anymore about the annual ritual.

"He does, but I don't," she said.

___

Information from: The Flint Journal, http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal

Thursday, Aug 21 at 10:44 PM MS wrote ...

If he has the money to do this, and it makes him happy, and his wife agrees, then I'm glad for him. Everyone gets their kicks in different ways.

Thursday, Aug 21 at 4:20 AM pops wrote ...

is he the only guy in flint with enough money or what?

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 11:42 PM MM wrote ...

a fool and his money are soon parted. but it's america and he has the right and I support his right. why keep buying cads-the real good ones were last built in 1976.

Wednesday, Aug 20 at 10:45 PM dave wrote ...

I know I love my Cadillac. Sounds like a good life. The wife must not drive the car. Good story!!

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