To say the past few months have been a tsunami of one crazy thing after another would be an understatement, the size of a...tsunami. Wave after wave of sh*t hitting the proverbial fan. It is no wonder that some days it feels like I am drowning.
Reba, my beautiful red truck, has been dead for going on a month now. Her brand new radiator is currently sitting on the passenger side front seat. At this point, it is doubtful that she will ever be road worthy again.
And Mint Julep, Natalie's 1999 Honda Accord is definitely feeling her age. Though she has worked hard to keep us mobile is the past few weeks, the fact that her air conditioning pushes out only HOT air has become a problem. 105+ degree days are practically impossible to handle. Heat stroke, anyone!?!
So, we went out and did a thing!
Meet Storm-Fly, our new 2017 Mazda CX-5. Purchased from the local CarMax after many, many hours of searching, researching and stressing. This is officially Natalie's car, or will be once she gets her driver's license. Yes, this is now the second car she has owned but still can't drive. Being her car, she got the majority weight on what vehicle we chose.
When we first arrived at CarMax, I saw a shiny bright blue vehicle right across the little service road. Greg had disappeared into the little boy's room, so Natalie and I walked over to check it out.
BIG MISTAKE!
The car was cute, but the salesman was on us long before Greg returned.
Happy talkin' talkin', happy talk Talk about things you'd like to do link
Yup, before we even realized what we were doing, we were in the pretty blue car, taking a test drive. Unlike Minnesota, the salesman rode right along with us. It was a fun, cute LITTLE car. I said many times over, "You don't buy a car based on the color."
Still, in minutes we were inside with credit scores being run and deals offered. The car man made us a really good deal. He was definitely working hard for that sale. Still..."You don't buy a car based on the color." The farther into it we got, more uncomfortable I became. I wanted to see the car we drove out to see.
Finally, I just got up from the table and walked away. We left Greg who was busy talking to the man at Stoneridge Chrysler about this Honda CR something or other, Natalie and I walked across the road to see the Mazdas I had been researching.
Walking out to the far side of the lot, we found what we were looking for. Many SUV just waiting to be adored. The Mazda we chose to give a closer look to was NOT the one we came to see. This 2017 car was a very, very dark blue, not the shiny bright blue that caught my attention earlier.
The doors were unlocked. Cleaver move, CarMax. Less than ten seconds after we sat down, Natalie declared, "This is the one!"
So much larger than the Honda, we were sold by the roominess. Natalie then got out and climbed into the back via the push button hatch that swung up magically before us. So much space. Room for cats in cages, groceries and suitcases for going to Disneyland.
Natalie texted Greg to STOP! Come over and see the car we ARE going to buy! After a few minutes of no response, she called. He hemmed and hawed. "This one has such good gas mileage!" "It's too SMALL!", she replied.
At last, came over, followed by Honda salesman. WTF!
Talk about uncomfortable. Salesman looked over that car, then declared, "I have another SUV I can show you." Sorry, we may have considered going there again, since Greg and I will need a car once Natalie drives, but Honda guy crossed the line when he crossed the road. Very seriously doubt we will go back there. Had a nice car, willing to deal, but definitely got the sense he expected the MAN to overrule us.
Sorry dude, welcome to 2021! Natalie and I were providing the down payment. No deal happens without our little lady approval.
Too late on a Sunday to officially drive the Mazda, us ladies made an appointment for the following afternoon. After an hour and a half wait to deal with the "You can't finance car with a license that say expired." Both Greg's and my driver's licenses we sent off to Rancho Cucamonga in SoCal. An hour and a half trip to the DMV to get provisional license. Got it after they locked the doors to new people from entering. Ooooofff!
Harold, our new salesman from CarMax let us drive this car by ourselves. Once around the loop from Fallen Blvd to Santa Rita, past Natalie's target and back, and we were sold! Back to the car lot to finalize our sale.
More wait, wait waiting.
Us girls drove Mint Julep back to
Target for a couple of
Starbucks teas while Greg sold his soul to the car loan guys. Once back, Natalie texted Ryan photos of the new car. Before the paperwork was done on the Mazda CX-5, Natalie had sold her very first car. The Honda Accord called Mint Julep.
A little bittersweet, after only driving her car for a few circles around the RV dog park, Natalie says goodbye to her first baby. A car made the same year she was born.
Finally, as dusk approaches, the paperwork is done. Storm-fly (Natalie named her after just a couple of minutes, the first day) is ready to go home. I get to drive her, as Greg has to bring along the now 'old car'.
We stop at Ryan's house. First, to show off the shiny new vehicle. Second, to deliver the car he just purchased. He is just as excited for Natalie to have a new car as she is herself.
The men study the Accord, as Brett meets his new 'driving to work' car. Good luck with that air conditioning, pal. I swear they all say they can fix it. Hummmm, Reba...radiator. I hope it works out for everyone. Not having to solve where we park a third vehicle is a great relief.
Finally, Storm-fly makes it home. Here she is parked in our spot. Welcome to the family, Stormy!
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