Last week, I made a commitment to change one thing a week in an effort to become a more savvy consumer during this recession or whatever the heck it is that we're in these days.
In week one, I called our local telephone/internet/cable TV provider and bundled our services, saving between $40 and $50 a month. Good start, don't you think?
This week, I bought a new car. Before you holler FOUL...let me explain. I was driving a leased vehicle...a 2006 Land Rover LR3 and it was time to either buy it or turn it in. Talk about a gas guzzler...oh my WORD! Not to mention that 99% of the time, I was driving that tank around with not another living soul riding along....just little ol' me.
I had several objectives as Hank and I set out to shop for a new car. I wanted to buy and not lease, with the lowest possible payment. We needed to be able to get all of our tailgating paraphernalia in for football season. I had to have an IPOD jack. I preferred leather seats as I drink a lot of coffee and SPILL a lot of coffee, but that wasn't a deal breaker. Last but not least I will NOT buy a car if the car salesperson doesn't make a good first impression. I will walk right off that lot and not look back. I'm a tough customer...
After checking out several options, including the Toyota Highlander and their new crossover (can't remember its name) we stopped in the visit the Saturn folks. I liked them...no pressure and no dickering over price. A couple of hours later we drove away in a new Saturn Vue that met all of my needs with a payment that is $200 lower than the LR lease per month plus it gets about 26 miles per gallon on the highway plus PLUS it will be mine in the end...not like that dadgummed leased vehicle. I know we could have been even MORE conscientious but for us, this was REAL progress in a better direction. We ain't perfect...
Stay tuned for FF-Week 3. Here's a hint...our kids aren't going to like it one bit!
There was one little glitch that almost caused me to back out of the purchase. There weren't many customers that day but at least one couple purchased something and as they walked out of the showroom to drive away, all of the salespeople and service people stood at the door and did some kind of cheer with a whole bunch of whooping and hollering. I looked at our salesman and said in my sweetest voice...If those people stand at that door and whoop and holler at us when we go to leave so help me I will turn right around and give you these keys back and you will lose this sale before you know what hit you.
Ten minutes later, we departed in peace and quiet.
Friday, February 27, 2009
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Hubby and I made the mistake of leasing vehicles when we first got married. We both drive entirely just too much for that to ever be a good choice for us and we wanted the day to come we wouldn't have a car payment. Your criteria on loading the tailgate goods is one of ours too!!
ReplyDeleteHello! Just a comment on what you wrote on my blog: I know it is going to be hard taking your mom to Assisted Living,AT FIRST, but my mom LOVES it! She thinks she is the QUEEN of HearthStone Assisted Living. They have a great time there and it's like a big ole sorority! HAHA! I'll be praying for you guys about it but I have a feeling it will be great. Blessings! Jan
ReplyDeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteI am stunned that those people were cheering! I would've loved to have seen you say that to the salesman! You're hilarious. Yeah new car!
I got a vue back in December and I love it and have not looked back!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!
I've heard those Saturn folks do that when someone buys a car. They'll probably do whatever you tell them in this economy - even if it was kissing your rear! :O) Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteAWESOME!!! Enjoy your new car.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Good for you on saving money!!! And smart move on the purchase of that car instead of what you were doing... anxious to hear the ones the kids aren't going to like. My guess - cable? or cell phones? or internet? Trying to think where it hits them the worst!
ReplyDeleteAnd what the heck with the hollaring? That's tacky! Glad you said something to your salesperson!
Good for you on getting a new car and bundling your cable/phone! We just bundled ours and changed our cell plans and it has made a huge difference!
ReplyDeleteI love the note about having the sales people not cheer - that totally cracked me up!! :)
That is funny! I am sure it was because times are tough and a car sale is one of the bigger purchase items that people aren't buying. When Randy bought his new Jeep, there were a couple of different dealerships competing and calling HIM with better deals. I traded my Ford Expedition (gas hog) for a slightly used Cadillac SRX crossover and I love it so much. I ended up with all the bells and whistles and my payment is the same. You will love the Saturn! I know someone that has one and it is a great find!
ReplyDeleteLOL!! You are so funny! And I admire what you are doing!
ReplyDeleteWhen we were looking back in the summer, I drove a Vue. It was actually very nice and now I don't remember why we didn't buy it. I think it might have been because they didn't have the color I wanted on the lot or some silly thing like that!
ReplyDeleteHave fun in your new set of wheels!
I love what you told the salesman about the cheer! You crack me up! I hope you enjoy your new vehicle!
ReplyDeleteCar shopping can be such a pain. I'm glad you had a relatively good experience and congrats on the new vehicle!
ReplyDeleteSaturns last forever! Much better than a lease. But most important, what color is it?
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you have your priorities straight - tailgaiting items for the CLEMSON football games - I do love the way you think....a girl after my own heart. After all that IS the most important feature to look for when purchasing a new car - is it big enough to hold everything for football season....coolers, grill, tent, telescopic flagpole, chairs, picnic baskets, flowers, etc.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what next Friday brings!
You made me laugh... no cheering, please! I love that. Congratulations on your new car.
ReplyDeleteGreat job. It sound frugal to me to save $200 a month. You are a up to $250 a month in savings. Can't wait to see what you do next week.
ReplyDeleteI would have said the same thing to the salesperson.
It sounds like a great choice. I am sure you will enjoy driving your new vehicle. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car! Great and very smart purchase. I can't believe they screamed when the other people left!
ReplyDeleteYou are absol doing great! Yay for you! xoxo
ReplyDeleteMy parents' old Saturn was my car in college and it was great - never had any problems. (I still remember the day we bought it, I was probably in 9th grade maybe? and I'll never forget all the salespeople clapping as we drove off. Hilarious!)
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo!! Can you hear me hollaring and cheering....ok, great because I am not....lol That is crazy they do that and I would have told them the same thing but kudos on the Vue. They look great and I may have to check into one. My Tahoe is great but loves that gas too. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! That's quite a bit to save monthly. Sometimes a new car purchase is actually a frugal idea. We both drive VW's, our daughter drives a VW and the salesman at our local dealership owes us big time. At last count I think we have referred 10 sales to him, not counting the 3 cars we have purchase from him! But when you can purchase a car and have a good experience, it's great to share that with people. Our contribution to frugality is dropping our land line altogether. It's scaring me to death, but DH says if it doesn't work out, we'll look into the digital phone bundle from the cable company. Can't wait to see what your kids are going to give up, hoping I get some ideas lol. Kathy
ReplyDeleteSounds like some great improvements to the $ situation.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are looking at me strangely because I laughed so hard at that last paragraph! ")