I did things a little backwards. If you know me at all, you know that once I get an idea in my head- I kind of have to follow through with it. I have actually had this idea in my head awhile now- several months. I decided I needed a new car- and by this time this happened- the wheels were turning full force in my head. I have had my trusty Honda since high school. (really???). So it was DEFINITELY time for a new car.
I started shopping around over Christmas break, and went to go test drive some cars with the fam. I had it narrowed down to a Lexus IS 250 and a Toyota Highlander. Call it lack of experience in the adult world or impulse buying, but in my head, I knew I would get a job, which would translate into me paying the car payments. But when I saw the price of the brand new versions of these cars- I realized it would be better to buy a slightly used model.
The more I thought about it- the more I wanted the Lexus- if I'm paying for it- why not get the one I reaaallllly want? And the price for the Highlander model I wanted- was comparable to the price for the Lexus. So, my dad told me to come up with a set price that I would be willing to pay for the total cost of the car including tax, title and anything else. Once I did that, I started combing through autotrader and carmax.
I'm picky- and I know I wanted red with a tan interior. Ryan said I could probably find a red one, but my dad said I should be more flexible. Decisions decisions. After months of combing through car ads, I found one a red one, with tan interior and LOW miles in California. Outside of my price range, but I showed it to my dad and he thought he could talk the guy down. They went to look at it last weekend, my dad was able to talk him down into the EXACT price I was willing to pay- and it was mine. Thank you, Steve-o the negotiator. I mean- I'm not bragging, but I got a goooood deal. It's a 2008, in the color that I wanted with the interior that I wanted, tinted windows, air conditioned seats and it only has 12,000 miles on it. Barely used. My dad even managed to have the guy do an oil change, new tires and new brakes- all in my price range.
Okay- so maybe it was sort of an impulse buy. I bought the car before I had a job. And let's just say, the check I wrote for the down payment was the biggest check I have ever written in my life. It was painful for my bank account, BUT really rewarding. I have gone to school full time and worked at a paid internship- and lets just say- it finally paid off. I was able to use that money to put a nice sized down payment on my car, which means that my monthly payments will be slightly lower.
When I first bought it, I felt guilty- I'm 23- do I really need a car this fancy? But, to put it lightly, I have worked my ass off over the past two years: going to school full-time and working/saving money. The guilt quickly wore off, and now that I have a job to make the car payments (Steve-o and Joanne were graciously willing to take over car payments until I found a job, but now they won't even have to make one), I can fully enjoy my first big girl purchase.
Steve-o will be driving it out here soon- and I can't wait!!!!!
OMG we got the same car. haha my old xterra broke down on me and so I ended up with the white version. You had better blog about your new job! I'm excited to hear all about it.
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