Hit and Run

One year ago today I bought my car.

Exciting, I know.

Today I got a car wash in celebration of a fantastic first year together, then lamented at the paint-cracked, scratched rear bumper from my hit-and-run.

I never told you about that, did I?

I headed home for the evening January 16, all excited to have a girly evening, involving the fantastic Leah Jacobs doing my hairs for me.  I almost hate that there is something so wonderful about the feeling of being pampered and sprucing up with a little cut/color.  Silly money-wasting things like this should not feel so blasted fantastic!  To make the evening even better, I always pick us up some dinner for us, which requires commuting a different direction than normal.

Murray State Street during rush hour can make you feel as if you are a chess piece on a board with three times as many pieces as there should be, shuffled against your will in a general direction by an unseen hand.  With my destination in sight, I pulled up one-car's length behind the car in front of me at a stop light, as per proper-driving rules.  Yes, I'm a law-abiding driver to a fault. 

Before I could realize what was happening, I found myself slamming on my brakes, my gym bag flying off the seat, and my head flipping backwards into the headrest.  There is a moment of panic no one can quite describe in a situation like that.  To say I was an idiot is mild.  I put my car in park and got out in the middle of four rush-hour lanes of traffic.  The scruffy young riff-raff who hit me did the same.

His license plate dangled from one overly-jagged screw on his ghetto early-90s tan compact truck.  My little blue Honda was covered in winter salt and sludge, but I could clearly see the cracked paint, the outline of a license plate, and two screw-punctures exactly where his license plate met my bumper.  He smiled and said, "Well, there's no damage, so I'm fine if you're fine!"
"Umm...there actually is damage."
"Really?  I don't see any?"
"Umm..yes there is, right here. (I gesture to the two holes and the scratches as I try to brush off the grime)."
"Oh, okay, so you wanna pull over into that parking lot right there and get information?"
As I looked down at his license plate to memorize the digits thinking that I'd be an idiot not to, I responded, "Yeah...yeah...we're gonna have to do that."

Riff-Raff got back in his truck with his tattered clothes and equally bedraggled looking company.  I signaled to turn left, made sure he was behind me, then turned.  Would you believe that as soon as I turned left, he took off?  Yep.  And would you believe that in my panic I forgot all but the first three digits of his plate?

Lesson learned.  My estimate for the damage is only $600, which isn't even worth submitting to the insurance, but it it the principle of the thing, you know?  Knowing what I know about insurance, I would have, in all likelihood, let that scraggly young man go if he'd have let me know his situation instead of dishonestly running off.

I'm a big believer in the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do to you."  All I can do is shrug my shoulders and keep smiling.  C'est la vie!

I know, I know - it really isn't that bad, but keep in mind this photo was taken in the dark and you can't see both punctures clearly, the outline dents of the violater's plate, or the cracked paint running the length of the bumper.

 

A NEW CAR!

I've never purchased a car in my life.

Until Monday March 19, 2012.

Back in 2003, I started thinking about letting go of my '93 Honda Civic EX in favor of something with a little less oldness.  I mean, isn't a right of passage after college graduation getting new wheels?   Yet, I'd look at cars and not get that excited feeling one gets when they know they are making the right decision.  Every time I have toyed with the idea for the past nine years, I immediately feel, "But my lil '93 is doing just fine!" 

About three weeks ago, a flip switched inside of me and I somehow knew it was finally time.

I argued with myself.  I loved having such a cushion in savings.  I loved knowing my vehicle so well that I could explain every grunt or groan.  I loved my insurance payments of about $400 for the entire year.  I loved not having to worry if someone bumped my car or scratched the paint.  The list goes on and on.  That '93 Civic EX has been from one coast to the other, east to west and north to south.  That '93 was with me all through college.  Every man I have ever kissed, I have kissed in that car. 

Hmmm...given that last reason, I guess it is high time for a fresh start.

Once I started looking for cars, researching, practically interviewing anyone and everyone who had a newer car, I could not contain my excitement.  All I could think about night and day was, "New car, new car, new car, newcarnewcarnewcarnewcar."  This is highly unusual for practical, budget-conscious little me, so I continued to move forward with this thing I have been looking forward to being right for nine years now.  I narrowed my options down to three - used Honda Civic (cash), new Subaru Impreza (finance $6,000), new Hyundai Sonata (finance $6,000).  I test drove and test drove.  After all the research and test drives, I thought I wanted a Sonata SE with the works, but couldn't seem to talk myself into being okay with having debt, even if it is for a car. 

On my way home from car shopping last Saturday with my mechanically-inclined friend, I saw a Civic EX in the color I wanted on a lot with over 30 other used Honda's.  We pulled in and looked it over, alas, it was closing time, the price was a little steep, and we were exhausted (I always giggle when I use the word "exhausted" whilst talking of cars). 

From that moment forward, all I could think about was "LittleblueHondaCivicExLittleblueHondaCivicEx," so during my lunch break from work on Monday, I headed over to the dealership.  Sure it was above my cash price-range, but what's the worst that could happen?  Sure, I could have gotten an Lx in a different color for within my price-range, but if the difference is $1000 and I'm spending thousands already, I want the one in the color I want with a sunroof, additional more high-end features, and less body damage, dang it!

I drove the Civic for twenty minutes.  It made sense.  I wouldn't have to make payments, it would be mine, I know Civics, I trust Civics, they have a very high resale value, the maintenance is lower compared to Subaru's, they are more reliable than Hyundai's, the replacements parts are relatively inexpensive, and this one is under warranty until 60,000 miles. 

I didn't fall in love.  But I felt very calm and peaceful - which to me is much more of a real and certain feeling than the adrenalin of love.  No weird noises or vibrations, no brake noises, no catches, no clunks, no nothing.

I went into the guy and said, "Listen I have to get back to work, but here's the scoop.  I like this car.  The sticker is $XYZ.  If we can get this to $sameXYZ out-the-door I will buy it right now.  That's all I've got.  He said, "Well I can take the base price to $500lessthanXYZ, but after taxes that still leaves you at $XYZplus1200." 

"Man, well.  If the car is still here in a month after I've saved another thousand, I'll be back.  Can I give you my information so you can call me if we can make this work?" 

He said, "Well wait a minute.  What's that you are driving?  Are you interested in a trade-in?"  I looked at him and said, "If you give me enough for that '93 out there to make my out-the-door price under $XYZ, I'm sold."  He took Poopers for a test drive and came back and said, "Listen, that car is not worth $1,000.  It drives nice and tight, you've taken VERY good care of it, tell your mechanic friends they have done a great job.  But the body defects are pretty bad."  Yeah.  Duh.

He said, "Well...if it'll get you in the '09, I'll give you $1,000 for the trade-in because I can probably sell it for $1,200."  The most a dealership had offered me for it previously was $400.  Yep, it's an awesome day when you find out your couch is worth more than your car. 

We did the math...and the total price came in to just under $XYZ.

There is a funny thing that happens when you buy a car.  All of a sudden, you make this decision and *bam* that's it.  You are in a committed relationship that you can't back out of.  You are $XYZ out of your savings.  You have this new machine that will be a part of your life every single day.  The friendship you built with your old machine for thirteen years is now over.  Done.  Just like that.  I knew that old car in and out - every noise, every whine, every positive, every negative - I knew that car.  Then in a matter of moments, I'm giving it up in favor of a new relationship.  I still feel kinda like I'm cheating on the ole '93 and now I have to get to know something new - that's hard work!

The drive home and back to the dealership to get my title and extra key were the longest fifteen minutes in recent memory.  Less than 30 minutes later I was the owner of a shiny blue '09 Civic EX.  Yes, I left on lunch break and less than two hours later returned to work with a new car.

The other good news?  My '93s gas tank was on empty (totally on E), I was supposed to get an oil change Saturday morning but ran out of time, and I was also due for Safety and Emissions.  SO, had I done all that on Saturday like I intended, I'd have been out another $110 or so.  Nice for me.

Maybe that is way more than you ever wanted to know about my car-buying experience but there you have it.

'09 Civic Ex

'93 Civic Ex

 

Patience

Have you ever been praying and praying about a decision and your answer, over and over again, is "Patience"? 

Maybe this thing is something you want to take action on one way or the other so badly that you feel the weight in an almost physical manner?

And yet...you know without a question that the best and only decision for you is to have patience?

I've been blessed with the patience bug for years.

Nine years ago, I wanted a new car.  But I didn't feel it was right.  And so goes the next nine years.  So goes the questions like, "Larissa, you have a good job, get a better car?"  So goes the constant reinforcement of the idea that I was a poor college student because they saw my ride.  But it wasn't right.  Yeah, I pray about buying cars:-)  I'm big into the Big Guy like that. About three weeks ago, I started feeling, as if a light switched, "Buy a car now."  I couldn't shake it.  I researched and researched and researched and test drove and, you get the point.  Nine years I wanted a new car and I finally bought one on Monday.  The check just cleared the bank today - she's officially mine.   I'll tell you all about it later.

The point right now is patience.  Clearly, I have an infection with the patience bug when it comes to relationships too.  But I know when the time is right, I'll feel that switch flip just as I did with the car. 

Could you share your experiences?  Whether it is a professional decision, moving, college, having children, or relationships...how has patience worked in your life?

I don't know who this guy is, but I wouldn't mind being patient on that couch with him...

Naming Your Car and other such Nonsense

My car's name is "Poopers."  What's yours?

Back in February of 2000, I took a trip to Las Vegas with my roommates Katie and Wendy.  We were cruising down the strip, probably jamming out to Bon Jovi, and happened upon a luxury car with the license plate, "Poopers."  We all thought this was entirely too hilarious and my car has since been known by aforementioned name.  I wonder if Wendy and Katie even remember?  I still haven't figured out if "Poopers" is a girl or a boy...

How did your car get it's name?  Male or female?  Do you think naming cars is nonsense?  I do, but gave into peer pressure...