Monday, September 24, 2012

Our New Baby


So historically we are people who don't buy a car until the situation is desperate and we then scramble for the thing we hope will last longest of the used cars in our price range, right? We've had family help out. We've bought on credit. We just have never had enough income to save for a car. And until about a month ago, the only car we had was a fourteen year old Toyota Sienna Minivan—a very good car at one point, but one we bought with 75,000 miles on it. As of Friday, it had 168,391. It was a good car. It served us well. But in August we put in $500 work and it needed another $800...

This is coupled with the recent passing of my aunt and some money coming my way. Not a lot. But more than we've ever had come to us in a lump sum... so HWMNBOTI and I started talking... Since we so rarely have extra money, we wanted something we were SURE would last a long time. We talked a little about newISH cars... a newer model Toyota or Honda... but Hyundai kept coming up... and the NEW Hyundai's 100,000 warranty... I mean... if we rarely have money for a purchase this size, talk about something that would give us piece of mind!

HWMNBMOTI did most of the shopping and checking out, but each night reported to me what he'd seen... how much... what was included... and finally I went with him to the Hyundai dealership... we wandered and both kept gravitating to the same car, so we test drove it...

And then I came home and signed up for Carwoo to see if we could find the same car in the area for cheaper... looked online a little... We bickered some about what exactly a person needs to collect information-wise to negotiate (having neither one of us been very successful in that domain, historically)...

Then Thursday, when we felt like we had a solid feel for what we MIGHT be able to get away with... we went in and made an offer. And it worked... Oh, not EXACTLY... but a lot closer than we thought it would...

So we are now the thrilled new owners of a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring... Titanium Gray... HAWT... it had 57 miles on it when we drove it off the lot... Isn't it gorgeous!?

Anyone else have that much excitement this weekend, or do I win?

*smooches*

15 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

You win, for sure! Love the car. :) Enjoy!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You win! Congratulations on the new vehicle.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Oh, you're going to love your new Hyundai! My Sante Fe is almost three months old now and still a delight to drive. And it was the first car I've ever paid cash for.

lisahgolden said...

You totally win! We got an Elantra last year when our Corolla ticked over to 200k miles and we possessed our own lump sum of tax refund. We've been exceedingly happy with the car as I'm sure you will be with yours. It is lovely.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

YOU are a winner. Beautiful and awesome.

Johanna Garth said...

It's beautiful. My first car with kids was a Hyundai Santa Fe and it never ever let me down. I LOVED that car right up until the moment someone hit the side of it and totaled it! :( Good news is no one was hurt...see what good cars they make!

CA Heaven said...

Congrats with your new car.

We don't buy cars very often either. We got a 12 yo Toyota (great car), and a somewhat newer 4WD.

A car is just a machine that takes you from one place to another. The only important thing is that it works when you need it.

Cold As Heaven

Luanne G. Smith said...

Awesome! And you can't beat that 100K mile warranty. My car is ten years old and I only have 65K on it. Happy driving in your new fancy ride. :)

Old Kitty said...

You win most NAKEDly!! Yay!! take care
x

LTM said...

LOL! That car is AWESOME! I love the color! And those are supposed to be very good, reliable vehicles.

Super congrats to you!!! :o) <3 ((hugs))

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new wheels.... I picked up a new bus pass??? Does that count? Sadly probably not....

Unknown said...

you totally win! I had a soggy, mopey weekend. Congrats - how fun!

Helena said...

A big hurray for your NEW car! And yes, any kind of car shopping is a royal pain in the butt and incredibly stressful. In my life I've driven cars until they die. I mean they really are dead. They have to be towed away. Mechanics have said prayers for the dead over the engines and sprinkled holy water on the busted valves.

I hope your snazzy new wheels take you to great places.

RaShelle Workman said...

I played a little guitar hero, and read a book. Yep, you totally win. Congrats on your new car. It's gorgeous, dahlink.

Heather Savage said...

Congrats on the new ride and peace of mind. Must be something in the air. Selling my 05 Prius with over 220k on it so I can get another. Hard to let go when it's been such a great car.