buy a car

I am now the proud owner of a 2009 Honda Fit. It looks just like the one in this pic. Well, okay, it’s a bit bigger than the pic, but this is the model and color.

The guys at the first dealership lied to us about having one on its way from another dealership, kept pressuring me to start the paperwork (on a non-existent car!) and tried to sell me a Fit Sport instead of the base model, so we walked out. Then we went to Walnut Creek Honda and it was painless. They had a red one and a black one with tinted windows and floor mats. I got the black one for almost exactly what I wanted to pay. There was no pressure, they brought the price down, I got a good interest rate and everyone there was respectful and friendly. Including time to get the insurance finalized and faxed to the dealership, get the financing approved and get out the door, it took 85 minutes. They called me within an hour to set up the appointment to do the complete detailing.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around the idea that it’s mine and I can use it any time I want. Wow. I showed it to my folks and they liked it, too. We dropped it off at my house almost as soon as I got it because Mr. Yes and I needed to eat, get back to his place and go to bingo with his mom (as her birthday present). While we were waiting for our food, I said to Mr. Yes, “Do you know what this means? I can sleep with you more than once a week.” To which he replied, “Do you know what that means? That I can’t stand up right now.” Oh, I love that man. He kept me calm, let me handle everything unless I specifically asked him for advice and is so happy for me.

Okay, off to do my new budget spreadsheet. Wheeeeeeeeee!!!

I’ll deposit the check from my parents and next Saturday, Mr. Yes and I will go to the dealership and buy the car. My car. MY car that I can drive any damn time I choose any damn where I choose.

EXCITED!

I like the Honda Fit. It doesn’t exactly leap up hills, but it’s comfortable, has great visibility and I really liked the way it handled. Reviews had mentioned noise, but I didn’t find it bad. I drove it around the city streets and onto the freeway, using an uphill entrance. I felt very comfortable and safe. It gets good gas mileage and has a good track record for maintenance.

Next steps for the next two days: get insurance set up and ready to go, get the money my parents are going to loan me, check online for local dealer inventory and set a date with Mr. Yes to go buy the thing!

After it’s bought: make a new budget that will allow me to start building a buffer fund and pay off the car and my parents fairly quickly, get a FasTrak (electronic toll thingie for bridges) and a GPS. Start spending at least one night in the middle of every other week with Mr. Yes!

Mr. Yes said last night that he’ll definitely go with me when I buy my car. He’s much more patient than me, so I’ll get a better price with Mr. ‘No, I’m still not happy. What else can you do?’ by my side.

Now I have to test drive a Fit and a Focus. Leaning heavily toward the Fit Sport. Also need to get the money my folks are loaning me so if we get a good deal, I’m ready to move on it.

about this goal. The “reliable” car I borrow isn’t so reliable and spending nights with Mr. Yes is so good for my sleep and happiness that I want to have the freedom to go to his house during the week. I could also join a gym and take an InDesign class if I had reliable transportation. I will buy a car at the end of August.

I’ve been driving my godmother’s Corolla while she’s out of town and I don’t much like it. I like Mr. Yes’s Versa and am seriously considering a Honda Fit. I need to ask my parents exactly how much they can loan me. I should have about $5k saved by then.

I’m sick of sharing cars, especially old and not especially well-maintained cars. I want my own. Still saving up, but should, if all goes well, have $5k by August and start looking. My parents will help me out and then I can pay them back, interest free. I want a car that’s new or less than a year old with less than 10k miles. I’m leaning toward the Honda Fit and Toyota Corolla. I want low maintenance and good gas mileage and don’t give a snort about style.

Once I’ve got it, I can see Mr. Yes more often and not worry about how I’m getting to and from work. It will also free up my weekends for beach trips. The East Bay without a car is brutal.