So I have a bit of a decision to make....
I'm in the market for a new car. Yes, I'm abandoning the bug and looking for something a little bigger and shinier.
You see, I'm spoiled. I'm the daughter of a car-salesman and the grandaughter of the man who brought one of the first Ford dealerships to OKC. We had new cars every year.
One of my favorite family outings was when we'd all get dressed up and go down to the dealership when the new cars would be unveiled. That used to be a big deal. New models were kept in secrecy, suspense would build and then the big moment would happen each fall.
With each new car we got, I had a little ritual. I'd lean down by a tire and incant something like "Wheely, wheely on the car - take us near and take us far." Only, I don't think it was that literate. I really only remember the "wheely wheely part."
We had a couple of Fairlaines, a Falcon, Galaxie, Woody, some Thunderbirds (even that sweet little one featured in American Grafitti), Torino, Mustangs... my first car was a Maverick.
The last Ford my mom had - well she had that one for over 15 years (Dad got out of the car business right when I went into college - no more new cars every year).
Dad traded it for nearly a profit - mint condition with only about 25.000 miles on it. He traded it for a little two-seater 'Benz which my Mom loved.
My line up goes thusly:
- Maverick (3 years, only car that got wrecked)
- Rabbit (worst car ever - 3 miserable years)
- Sentra (best car ever) - had it for 12 years - cried when it died)
- Ford Ranger XLT (Xtra Lovely Truck - loved being trucker Maudie)
- VW New Beetle (SNUGAZA - wanted a bug since I'm 15) and
- ????? - it's gonna have a sunroof
My previous purchase, except for the Rabbit and the Maverick, were all with the assistance of one of my Dad's former colleagues. He's the fleet manager for a local dealership here, so he took the haggling out of the mix. Consequently, I got had some good deals on those rides.
This time out, though, I'm flying solo. Based on a ton of online research, I've devised a strategy designed to make the process as stress free as possible.
Stay tuned. If my strategy works, I'll be passing it along.
