Our First Brand New CAR!!!

What a rollercoaster ride today has been! Good grief!

As most of you know, my poor little 2000 Malibu has been quite the guessing game lately. I named her "Peggy" long ago, so from here on out, that is what I will refer to her as.

Well, for quite some time now, Justin and I have known that Peggy was on her last leg. Each time I took her out, I was more and more nervous as to whether she was going to make it or not. So, Justin and I made the plan to search for a new car.

We started looking on Labor Day. We had our hearts set on a Honda Accord. We were reserved to buying used because you get more for your money. Well, turns out, the Honda dealers do not want to sell on Labor Day. So we window shopped instead.

In the meantime, Justin started thinking that maybe we should get a Civic because they rate the same as an Accord and they are quite a bit cheaper. Since he is the one that will be driving it the most, I wanted him to be happy with the car. So, after some discussion, we decided to look at both.

Now to the good part. We got up this morning to go look at cars again. We had no intention of buying today but I kept reminding Justin that we needed to at least be open to buying today should the opportunity present itself. It just so happens that the Accord and the Civic are selling like hotcakes now because of their longevity and awesome gas mileage. So we might have to act fast in order to get what we wanted.

Well, the second lot we looked at (Honda World in Conway) had this lovely little silver 2006 Civic that only had 22,000 miles on it. So we went in to ask to test drive it. The salesman was very helpful and honest with us, first off. His name is Chad if anyone needs a new Honda. Anyway, he was straight with us and said, "I would love to sell you this car. I would. But right now with the popularity and the mark-up, there is only a $1000 difference in that one versus a brand new 2008 Civic." After more discussion, we found this to be true. And personally, I think a new car less 22,000 miles is worth an extra $1000.

So we went and looked at the new ones, and sure enough, they were darned near the same price as the used. They had a tan one and a beautiful apple red one. (For those of you concerned, its that darker red that isn't quite maroon, but the color of a red delicious apple, AKA beautiful). We test drove it and fell in love! This car is wonderful! It is not over the top with leather seats and moon roof and blah blah blah. But it is all the car we need and it gets 36 miles to the gallon! And did I mention it was pretty? And safe? And amazing?

Anyway, as I said, we were not expecting on buying and our salesman was not pushy in the slightest. He was very upfront and honest with us from the get go. Well, we started asking questions about the buying process and what not... just getting ourselves prepared... and everything just fell into place.

Well, if any of you know me well at all, you know that spending money stresses me out! I was great while we were talking. I was great while we were drawing up the papers. Even when we got the trade in value on Peggy... still... cool as a cucumber. (Of course, I should be here. I kept saying if they offered me a pack of gum and a handshake I would take it. But regardless... still cool.)

Then it came time to make the down payment and sign papers.

DUM DUM DUM!!!!

I thought I was going to throw up right there at Honda World. I was in a weird mood the whole way home. I'm trying to be excited and Justin and the salesman and trying to get me excited and all I can think of is... "where will this money come from?" and "I've never been in debt before" and "what will this do to insurance?"

Well this is the part where God is good. Justin and I thought we would have to re-allocate some funds in our budget to be able to afford this car. But, after looking at our budget tonight, we are able to pay $200 extra on the car EVERY MONTH!

So right now I am on cloud 9 and a half! God has blessed me with a great marriage, a great home, a great job, a great family, great friends, and now great security with our auto situation and peace of mind financially. I could not be more blessed and I am so very thankful right now.

And now, I'm off to cuddle with my husband and/or play Rock band in celebration of our first major purchase in life. :-)

And in case I you haven't heard, I still miss you all a great deal.