Let the car shopping begin! *rant*

It was almost a year ago that my truck was totaled by an uninsured idiot running a red light. Having dropped down to liability literally days earlier, I got nothing but the hood ornament off my beloved truck. It was also days before I was moving an hour north.

So in the year since, I've managed to find the perfect job and everything has been working out financially for a few months. Went to the bank, got pre-approved [not for much, but I'm young with slightly below average credit and no co-signer], and now the car shopping begins!

I had three good options yesterday; '95 Subaru Legacy, a '95 Honda Accord wagon, and a '99 Accord sedan. They all were under 200k miles, drove great, loved em. But someone called just before I got there and put a hold on the sedan. Who puts holds on used cars? Without cash in hand, why does someone get to hold it from a phone call? So that person bought it and that was frustrating. The wagon was clean and very nice [I was picturing maroon, icky interior, a bit beat up] but was 190% it's market value and my bank won't finance me that high. They may, but I'd have to get another approval. I can call Monday.

And the Subaru. Oh my, I would have LOVED that Subaru. Always wanted one, it was so nice to drive, I loved it. But it just came in as a trade in when the guy called me about it, they ran a carfax on it while I was on the test drive and it had been totaled in '08 and was on a rebuilt title. My bank won't go for that. So dang.

I'll browse the dealerships today online and see if there's anything else, but it was a very exhausting first day. Buying my truck was so easy. I miss that truck...

Okay, vent/rant over.
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I soooo hate car shopping. Mostly it's the dance with the sales people I hate. Why does it take less time to have a root canal than negotiate a car deal. Come to think of it they feel about the same. Good luck in your search!
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Good luck Ricci. I hate car shopping myself, especially when dealing with dealers.

I bought a previously owned Jeep Wrangler from a dealer about 6 months ago. DH and I went in and basically said "we'll take it"! Just a little negotiating and a test drive and it was still a freakin' 4+ hour ordeal!!!! Ugh!

Yeah, there are some I didn't like. We had talked the wagon down quite a bit, but it was still too high over its market value. Both guys I met in person were great, I'd have no problem doing business with them. The first one even showed me a little hatchback civic manual and gave me my first stick shift lesson in it. It was in my price range and fit my criteria [except the manual tranny] so we gave it a shot. And I did pretty well for my first time, I only killed it twice, haha. If I can get another "lesson" with a stick, I'm sure I'd be fine enough to buy and get used to it, but I don't want to replace a clutch, lol.

ETA: I know it did take a few hours to get my truck, it took 4-5 hours just to look at four cars! Eesh.
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I actually love my manual transmission. I drove automatics for years and years. Learnt the manual probably when I was 18 and not long after switched to auto. When we test drove the Jeep I made my hubby drive it off the lot to a quiet neighborhood as I was afraid to drive on a busy highway.

I'm sure you'll get it quickly. I've heard Civics last forever so that might be a good choice. And they're pretty economical on gas, unlike my Jeep.

Oh yeah. And it was a mechanically sound car. It had every service it needed done and done at the dealership. I've no doubt it's a great, albeit ugly, lol, little car. I just don't want to be rough on the clutch for a week and have to replace it soon, you know? Sure, the benefit of a cheaper car, but if I have to do the clutch soon after purchase, or heaven forbid get in an accident because I haven't got it down yet, it won't save me any money.

Maybe after my other two accidents fall off my insurance, and I've had a few more lessons, I'll be okay buying one. But I don't think I can risk it now, lol.
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The search is over!! My step dad is a transmission mechanic, and his boss is selling his '05 Aveo. Got everything approved from the bank, and now it's just a matter of waiting until Saturday to get it! It's back home, I'm going to be in town this weekend.

Anyways, new water pump, timing belt and cylinder head. Transmission serviced. It's a 4 door [thank god] with 69k miles. It's either seafoam green or sky blue, I can't tell from the pictures.

I'm so glad everything worked out. I hate car shopping. Haha.
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Glad you found a car & that it was "vetted" by family. Hope you have many carefree miles w/it.

I'd have given you a really good deal on my car...
Under 150,000km, six speed, well cared for. Needs a front end alignemnt. Maybe some headlights.

BAHAHAHA!!! That's cute. Darn shame I already committed to the Aveo. =P
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