I Have a New Toy!
So this weekend was a fabulously beautiful weekend. The weather was warm, the skies were relatively clear, AND it was a three-day weekend. I love holidays. :)
Now, in Indiana, it's illegal to sell cars on Sundays. But did you know that it's perfectly ok to sell them on holidays like the 4th of July?
Lars and I have been talking about replacing the Buhaul for a while, but we thought we'd wait until next year or maybe even after I graduate from UoP.. which reminds me that I should do my homework tonight. Anywho, so I said on Monday that I should start test driving cars now, and then test drive them again in the winter since that's when I decide I really don't like the car I'm driving. (I really hate snow.) So I said, "Do you suppose any of the dealers are open today?" And he said, "Probably. We should go to CarMax because they'll have the widest selection of cars."
So we went, and they were open. I had looked at their website the night before and saw a few cars that I was interested in. I only had a few minor requests. 1) It needs to be a stick. I'm tired of driving an automatic. 2) No automatic seatbelts. 3) Must have two cupholders. 3) I'd really like a CD player, but no biggie. 4) Must be under $12k. 5) Must handle snow well. 6) Must be newer and smaller than the Buhaul.
So I really didn't expect to find anything. Especially since at CarMax, they push the customer service line a little too far. Generally, you get accosted the moment you walk in the door. Then the over-friendly sales person takes you to a computer, puts in your requests/limitations (so you really have to have a good idea of what kind of car you want), and then takes you to the specific car you like. No wandering around the parking lot just idly gazing around to see if something piques your interest.
To our surprise, all their sales representatives were busy with other customers when we got there. Did we just want to have a look around outside? They would send someone out when they were caught up on the waiting list. Yay!
So somewhere in the middle of the huge lot they have, which seemed really empty compared to how we'd seen it before, we found a car that met ALL of my guidelines. So test drive, I fall in love. It really shifts well, almost easier than the Honda Insight I'd had before.
Soooo.. the budget is squeezed a bit tighter, but I am now the proud owner of a 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS. Lovely. :) 1) 5 speed. 2) No Deathomatic seatbelts. 3) Two cupholders that are well-hidden. 3) CD player (a bit sticky, but that's fixable under the 30-day warranty). 4) $10599 (but I added a 1 year warranty, so it sneaked up over $12k). 5) All Wheel Drive. 6) 2000, not a 1996, and 2 doors, not 4, so a little smaller than the Buick. Yay me.:)
So if you know anyone looking for a bigger, serviceable car, I have a 1996 Buick Regal with 120k miles on it for sale. Cheapy cheap. :) Probably needs new brakes in the front, but other than that, it's a good little car. Erm, big car.
Now, in Indiana, it's illegal to sell cars on Sundays. But did you know that it's perfectly ok to sell them on holidays like the 4th of July?
Lars and I have been talking about replacing the Buhaul for a while, but we thought we'd wait until next year or maybe even after I graduate from UoP.. which reminds me that I should do my homework tonight. Anywho, so I said on Monday that I should start test driving cars now, and then test drive them again in the winter since that's when I decide I really don't like the car I'm driving. (I really hate snow.) So I said, "Do you suppose any of the dealers are open today?" And he said, "Probably. We should go to CarMax because they'll have the widest selection of cars."
So we went, and they were open. I had looked at their website the night before and saw a few cars that I was interested in. I only had a few minor requests. 1) It needs to be a stick. I'm tired of driving an automatic. 2) No automatic seatbelts. 3) Must have two cupholders. 3) I'd really like a CD player, but no biggie. 4) Must be under $12k. 5) Must handle snow well. 6) Must be newer and smaller than the Buhaul.
So I really didn't expect to find anything. Especially since at CarMax, they push the customer service line a little too far. Generally, you get accosted the moment you walk in the door. Then the over-friendly sales person takes you to a computer, puts in your requests/limitations (so you really have to have a good idea of what kind of car you want), and then takes you to the specific car you like. No wandering around the parking lot just idly gazing around to see if something piques your interest.
To our surprise, all their sales representatives were busy with other customers when we got there. Did we just want to have a look around outside? They would send someone out when they were caught up on the waiting list. Yay!
So somewhere in the middle of the huge lot they have, which seemed really empty compared to how we'd seen it before, we found a car that met ALL of my guidelines. So test drive, I fall in love. It really shifts well, almost easier than the Honda Insight I'd had before.
Soooo.. the budget is squeezed a bit tighter, but I am now the proud owner of a 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS. Lovely. :) 1) 5 speed. 2) No Deathomatic seatbelts. 3) Two cupholders that are well-hidden. 3) CD player (a bit sticky, but that's fixable under the 30-day warranty). 4) $10599 (but I added a 1 year warranty, so it sneaked up over $12k). 5) All Wheel Drive. 6) 2000, not a 1996, and 2 doors, not 4, so a little smaller than the Buick. Yay me.:)
So if you know anyone looking for a bigger, serviceable car, I have a 1996 Buick Regal with 120k miles on it for sale. Cheapy cheap. :) Probably needs new brakes in the front, but other than that, it's a good little car. Erm, big car.
posted by Pami @ 10:24 AM
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