4.

Buy a new (used) car.

          This was not supposed to be one of the first things I crossed off my list. Really, I thought I could procrastinate another couple years on this one. But, life had other plans for me. Best laid plans... yeah that is going to be the theme of this adventure.

          My old car was always in the shop. The mechanic knew when I called that it was going to be ridiculous problem. But I kept fixing it because I was not ready to buy a new car, i.e. didn't have a big enough down payment saved and did not want to make car payments. Mid-July that decision was taken out of my hands. I happened to get in a bit of a fender bender. Not terrible, car was still completely intact and mechanically sound.  I drove it to LaCrosse and back no problem.

          That all changed when I got it to the auto body shop. Apparently, I hit the exact point on the bumper/frame called the crumpling point. Long story short. My old car was called a total loss. High point of this story is the insurance company wrote me a check for much more than I would have ever been able to sell the car for or get for trade-in. I was a happy woman.

          Then came car shopping. I am not meant to do this. But I attacked full force. I searched the internet and newspaper for days. I made a list (actually a spreadsheet). I printed a map. I had all the cars info on individual pages printed and ready to go. Yes, I know I have issues.

          My A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. dad came up to help me shop for a car. I had the car info and he had the dealing ability. Wednesday morning we headed out early to the car I thought was calling my name. It was far away. We arrived at the lot early. Apparently, too early. You see the salesperson did not show up. It was very discouraging. Off we drove to meet the sister of the car we left behind. That car was not available and the salesperson was extremely rude. I wanted to go home and cry at this point.

          Dad is persistent, he saw the Toyota dealership next door and told me it was not on my list but we should have a look. That is where I met Jacques....First words out of his mouth to me, "Girl, why you look so sad?" My (not so polite) response, "I am hot and cranky." He proceeded to find out what I was looking for in a car. Jacques said because I was hot I should drive my car and he would run along side and point out the hatchback cars to me. It was quite humorous.

          We test drove three Toyota Matrix vehicles and Suzuki hatchback. I was in LOVE with the first car I drove. But it was out of my determined budget, or so I thought. Have you met my dad? I am not kidding when I say I cannot say enough great things about him. And he was willing to fight for me. Talk about being a privileged daughter.

          Jacques suggested Dad and I go get a bite to eat and discuss our options. We went to lunch at Cracker Barrel. My mom sent money for us to have lunch, she is great too (in case you were wondering). My dad set up a rating system for the cars. It was obvious which car was the one I wanted. Do not worry I let Dad enjoy his lunch too!

         

Back at the dealership Dad went more than three rounds for me. In the end I have a GREAT car!!!

Here are the specs on it for you:

2009 Toyota Matrix

22,724 miles

Gray Interior

Certified Drive Train Warranty (4 years/100,000)

Bumper to Bumper Warranty (1 year/12,000 miles)

Those last two points are major points for me. Now, maybe my mechanic will not roll his eyes (not kidding, he does this) each time I walk into the shop.

     As for naming rights I have had the suggestion of Cecil and Neo. I personally like Hatch, but that has been voted down. Do you have a name for my new ride?