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January 18, 2006
Another car part 2
I just drove home another car. Really, I wasn't planning on buying one today. Yes, I know that is what I said last time.
We literally just got back from dinner which we had right after buying the car. Come to think of it, we went straight to the dealership from work. Wow, what a day. My point is, I haven't had time to take pictures of my actual car.
Not my actual car
As you can tell (from the generic picture) the RAV4 won. We went to Honda twice. That was pointless. We went in and sat in the cars for at least an hour and no one even asked if we wanted help. On the other hand, the Toyota guys were all very nice and helpful. It took awhile to wheel and deal, but clearly they gave us a deal that was worth it.
I really like it — it has everything. The outside is black and the interior is dark charcoal. It has the sport body, so it has beefy tires. As for features, it has just about everything. Of course it is 4wheel drive. Oh yeah, it also has a sunroof.
Posted by layla at January 18, 2006 10:10 PM
Comments
Hooray for reliable transportation! I'm so happy we've got something we can rely on now.
Unlike, you know, before. Wooo...I can't wait for Autocross, Part 2: the Revenge of Autocross.
Posted by: milkman at January 19, 2006 8:02 AM
Congratulations on the new car! Looks like a taller, darker version of my car - the Mazda 3 Hatchback (in Titanium Gray, no less). I had a comment though... Didn't Dan make at least a minor stink about purchasing a NEW car... I mean, the depreciation! I thought I remembered him saying that he'd never buy a new car. And yes, while he didn't buy the new car, I think it's close enough to merit question.
Posted by: Rob at January 24, 2006 8:31 PM
Yep—you got me. I originally started the "car buying experience" by looking at used (1991–1995) 4Runners. Halfway through, however, Layla smartened up and pointed out that we're having so many reliability issues mostly because we have used cars, and that she would have bought a new car already when she donated her Neon—except that I talked her out of it and into the Mercedes instead. Which is currently broken.
The only time that a new car isn't a total waste is when you really are planning on keeping it for a damned long time. Since there are two of us, and since Layla is planning on keeping the RAV4 for a really long time, then we can get away with the benefits of having a new car (service history, etc.) while still allowing me endless mountains of nutty car fun.
Posted by: milkman at January 24, 2006 9:19 PM
Err, just to be clear, Layla sold me on the idea when she said, "I would have bought one anyway."
We're young. We're solvent. Time for a new car.
Posted by: milkman at January 24, 2006 9:21 PM
Ok. Well, I'm glad you thought it through. Or at least had Layla tell you what's what. There is definately something nice about picking out exactly what you want as opposed to having to sort through hundreds of car listings where the idiot previous owner either did something real stupid to the car or put in an automatic. Which, I imagine, this car has - but that's not necessarilly a Bad Thing. Especially since you've got the BMW.
Posted by: Rob at January 24, 2006 10:39 PM
By all means buying a new car is not the best answer by default. We did think used first. The most important thing to think about though, was why we needed a third car.
Sure there were driving point that added to what kind of car, but the number one reason was for reliability. Both in terms of never needing to get a rental (because our cars don't work) and so that I can be safe driving where ever by myself. Dan may be able to fix a car on the spot, but I can't.
So, the only guaranteed right answer was a new car. We still plan to use our used cars. I also bet whatever (hopefully not soon) our next car is will be used.
As for the type of car ... well, again it is everything that our other cars are not.
Posted by: Layla at January 25, 2006 7:51 AM
Oh, and at least the average age of all of our cars is over 16 years old!
Posted by: Layla at January 25, 2006 7:56 AM
Averages shmaverages! The MB is an outlier!
Posted by: Rob at January 25, 2006 2:11 PM
Outlier? There are only three data points. Sheesh.
Posted by: milkman at January 25, 2006 6:05 PM
Ok, well then the average is at least statistically insignificant.
Posted by: Rob at January 25, 2006 11:09 PM
Isn't that exactly what you said in your previous comment?
Posted by: milkman at January 26, 2006 10:38 AM
:o) I never said I was saying something different.
Posted by: Rob at January 26, 2006 8:05 PM