I mentioned in passing earlier that I now have a car, and here she is in all her sleek and silvery glory.
(Isn't she purty? :3)
I went car-shopping with Mom and Dad on Monday--I've been looking online for months and originally had my sights on a manual Toyota Corolla. I love driving manual, and was just really hoping to have one of my own. The only problem: apparently no one within 4 hours has a nice, 4-door, manual car for sale under my price range. -.- So I just had to drive automatics...I didn't mind THAT much, but I was a little disappointed at first.
Mom and Dad were looking for another vehicle as well, so while they drove some cars I tried out a Corolla and a Yaris. The Corolla was fun and felt kinda sporty, but the size kind of put me off. I'm rather used to larger vehicles and usually drive the truck or van, so it was a little disconcerting to have the ceiling so close to my head.
The Yaris was a no-go from the start. It felt sporty as well, but not nearly as well-built or (relatively) solid as the Corolla, and didn't have hardly any amenities. I was leaning towards the Corolla when the salesman mentioned in an off-handed manner that they had just gotten an '04 Toyota Camry in that weekend, and it hadn't been detailed yet but we were welcome to look at it.
The moment I sat in the driver's seat, I breathed a sigh of contentment. While not a luxury car it was still practically spotless (even before detailing) and had a great solid feel. Plus my head didn't feel like it was about to brush the ceiling.
A few moments later I started to drive off, with Mom and Dad along for the ride, and we all looked at each other when there was an immediate, distinct rumbling sound. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, and we stopped for a moment to ask the salesman what in the world was going on. As it turned out, the previous owner (a lady in her 80s) was terrified of getting stuck in the snow. Her precaution manifested itself in these incredible snow tires--they were brand new, with an abundance of tread, and they sounded like an airplane taking off as we drove across the parking lot. (Once we got off the lot and were going a little faster it abated, but it still rumbled a bit.)
A long story short: I was highly impressed by the car, and best of all it was exactly within my price range. I'm not comfortable with spouting off the intimate details of exactly what that range was, but I was able to pay with cash. Biggest check I've ever written in my life, let me tell you right now. O.o The ease of mind from not having to worry about a payment and the pure satisfaction that comes from being able to do something like that is well worth the check-writing, though. Many thanks to Dave Ramsey and my parents for fostering the saving tendencies of a squirrel, that's all I have to say about that. :P
They detailed the car and I drove back down on Tuesday to get it. It was weird, but while writing the check and taking the keys it still hadn't quite clicked that I had bought a car. But once I sat in the driver's seat and started following Mom back home....it all clicked.
This is MINE. No one helped me buy it, no loans were necessary. That, my friends, is a feeling that you can't even describe. And I love it. Of course, my savings are somewhat decimated at the moment, but that's just an opportunity to keep on saving. XD
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