Thursday, November 29, 2012

Car Shopping With Your Spouse Is Not For the Faint of Heart.

Remember that post a few months back about the state of my vehicle and how disappointed I was? 

Well, I sucked it up and got through the remainder of the summer with no working air conditioning. Once the fall hit, things were looking up. That is, until a funny squeaking noise started coming from under the hood every cool morning when the car was trying to warm up. A sound that can only be described as scary when your mechanic has already told you that your timing belt will likely need replacing, and it would be another $1,000. We had already made the decision that the money was not going to come from our pockets, so we were counting the days that my trusty little 2004 Honda Accord kept running smoothly.

Flash forward to November. B and I sat one night discussing our upcoming 15-hour road trip to Florida. We have started driving down each year right after Christmas for an extended stay with my family at our vacation home. The driving part was originally against my better judgement. I did it way too many times as a kid. But it worked out well last year, and Riley was a gem in the car, so we're going for it again this winter. This conversation skirted past buying a new car before the trip, mentioned trying a rental, and then landed right back where we started. 

Thus how car buying was brought to the table several months before we originally anticipated. Have you ever bought a new car with your spouse? It is definitely an interesting experience.

I consider it to be a lesson in the differences between men and women. Before we headed out one afternoon to test drive a few SUVs, B had done his fair share of research, checking safety, features, style, size and price. Of course, I am interested in those things, too, but I was really looking for the cutest and/or most attractive car I could get within our price range. 

I found 'the' car the night before we even went to test drive it. It's a funny thing, getting emotionally attached to an inanimate object. I had already pictured myself driving off the lot with it, and keeping it for the next few years as our family grows. Plus, mid-sized SUVs are better on gas, and easy to get to and from NJ in, right?! 

When we got to the dealer, we had a few different types of cars we wanted to check out and test drive. I knew immediately that some of them were not right for us. Err me. Still I kept a simle on my face and tried not to go lunging toward the car I had already picked out.

We left the dealer that night without a new car. We went home and slept on it. I am so thankful that my husband is level headed and less emotional about decisions like what car you're going to drive for the next 4-5 years.

Although, I'd totally be lying if I told you I wasn't feeling confidant as ever about the car I had already picked when I woke up the next morning. Bless B's heart, because he took me back there that night and we bought the car. What a relief to no longer worry about breaking down on the side of the road.

Buying a car with your spouse is definitely not for the faint of heart. But, I was glad to have a 'left brain' with me. You really do learn something new every day.

7 comments:

Britt said...

Oh man, you are so lucky. My car is a stick (rocking it since 2002) and back in 2010, it quite literally DIED on me right in the middle of an intersection. I thought it stalled, but nope. Deader than dead. The cops had to come and push me out of the intersection. 1k later and I had a new timing belt. I still drive the sucker but I'm counting down the days until it clunks out.

What car did you get?!

WorthyStyle said...

M and I will need to get a new car in the next year. Fun fun fun! We do the drive from VA to FL every year and love it, but are ready for something new. My car is a 2003 and has 165000 miles on it. Getting up there but still doing well.

Darby Hawley said...

Oh the male vs female thing! YES!!!! lol That sounds way too familiar but I'm glad we aren't the only ones. What kind of car are you sporting now?

Tina Byland said...

Ohhh how this sounds familiar. We bought Alex a new car back in July and it was soooo stressful! I am dying to know what you ended up with!

And I hear ya on the drive to Florida. We always, always took the family drives to Florida and Michigan and now I just don't see why people FLY anywhere on the east coast. I mean, drive, people!

Amanda said...

I've been a part of buying and selling five vehicles, one being a motorcycle with my hubby since we met. We just recently bought a car from his uncle and it worked out way better than buying from a dealer. Or truck is from a dealership and it was used but the haggling was so annoying...... I don't want to do that again anytime soon!!

Elise Michele said...

I definitely agree on this one! I totalled my 2007 Mazda 3 and got a dump load of money from insurance. I told myself I wanted a 4Runner and that I was. not. settling.
Weeeell, my car industry boyfriend convinced me to check out other cars. Um, yeah. I drive a 2012 Honda CR-V now. Which, btw, I LOVE.

Lauren said...

And when you come to Florida again, I MUST meet you!!!!! :)