Tuesday, April 21, 2009

What I Learned This Week #8

This week, I learned that things can happen quickly.

On Saturday, Justin decided to go to the dealership where we leased the vehicle I drive. It's an Acura MDX--a silver SUV with the capability to seat seven people. Do you want to know how many times we have actually had seven people in it? Twice. The lease will be up in two months, and I had been telling Justin that we didn't have to have an SUV again because we don't carpool or haul entire soccer teams around. Whatever was the best deal: that's my motto. And I knew a car would be cheaper, no matter what.

So Justin decided to find out what kind of deal we could get if we turned in the old(er) vehicle and leased a new one. Leasing isn't a bad deal for us because I don't put too many miles on a car. If we couldn't find one in our price range, we'd buy a used car elsewhere.

Of course, in this economy, the salesman really wanted to "help" us get a car. Justin first looked at a sedan and brought it home for me to drive. But it was more than we wanted to pay, even after negotiating. Not much more--but I knew that we needed to stay within our current budget if for no other reason than we needed to be smart shoppers and not just agree to anything that came our way. I didn't want to give up the meal out or clothes I'd be able to buy, if we paid that money out every month. Justin agreed with me. We brought the car back and told the salesman that we wanted to explore our options.

Then Justin suggested that I look at a slightly smaller car--the TSX. It's still a four-door, five-seater, just a little smaller. We had the kids sit in it to determine if there would be room and it was fine. The payments are less than we're making now and it will never be out of warranty for the three years we will be leasing it. We feel really good about it and I am having fun zipping around in a smaller vehicle. We signed the papers that night and the decision I've been mulling over for six months was a done deal.

Here's what it looks like.

I was spoiled to the Acura I had, so I'm glad I get to enjoy the same amenities. (It's terrible how addicted I am to the heated seats during the winter.) Plus since 3 1/2 years have passed since I had a new car, I also now have a USB port I can plug my iPod into! AND it gets much better gas mileage--21 to 36 miles per gallon.

The kids like the new car. Miss Pink calls it "volcano red." On the way home from the dealer, we turned up "Hurts So Good" and rocked out. Today Mr. Blue requested that I open the sunroof and turn up "rock and roll" good and loud. I was happy to comply.

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15 comments:

  1. How fun!!! I'm a bit envious of the heated seats and the usb port. =) Have fun with the new wheels!

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  2. I wish my truck had a plug in for my ipod...something for the next one I guess!

    Congrats! Those are such nice cars.

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  3. Looks like a cute car! And I'm totally jealous of the USB port...

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  4. oo fun glad you found something that works well for you and the family :-)

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  5. Great car, and very wise financial decision too!

    Enjoy :)

    We have a 7 seater, and at least twice a week I need to use 6 of them!

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  6. I'm addicted to the heated seats, too, and they were a requirement when we were shopping for a bigger vehicle. My new SUV also has cooled seats which I don't like because they make me feel like I have a fever - chilled on my back and still hot on my face and front. It's a yucky feeling!
    Congrats on the car!

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  7. Oops, that anon comment was me. Stupid phone internet browser! -Leann.

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  8. That's awesome! Congrats on the new car. I'm jealous of your USB port. I just recently got a "new" car for myself. It's the first time I've purchased a car younger than me (hubs keeps insisting I act like a grown-up). The car's name is Vivian. Do you name your cars?

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  9. me, my car and loud music - HEAVEN

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  10. Yeah for a new car! Even bigger yeah for not getting suckered into something you didn't want. (I desperately miss my heated seats from 2 cars ago.)

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  11. It's a very nice car. And that's some great mileage! Makes me lament the fact that in Canada cars are so much more expensive, never mind the insurance!

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  12. Congratulations on your new car! I went to a car (Nissan altima) a couple of years ago and I love it. I used to think I had to have an SUV because of the kids but the car works great and I get better gas mileage!

    ps. thanks for stopping by!

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  13. VERY NICE! Congrats on the new wheels!

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  14. I too love the USB port - that was my favorite feature with the car I rented last summer!

    Beautiful new car... and it's a good thing you got that first "scratch" out of the way. :)

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