Monday, November 06, 2006

Brokeback Malibu



Let me preface this by saying that I hope your weekend started out better than mine.
The place that I work is open on Saturdays due to contractual obligations. Because the amount of work is lower than during the week we usually only have to work a Saturday every 6 weeks or so. This was my weekend.
I had to be at work at 10:00 on Saturday. I decided to stop and get breakfast before I started so I left my house around 9:15. I drove to my mailbox (about 2 blocks away), stopped my 2001 Chevrolet Malibu LS, picked up my mail and went back to my car. My car wouldn’t start. I tried and tried to get it started but nothing I did worked. It was acting like it didn’t have any gas even though it had half a tank.
I called into work to let them know what was going on and then called my friend Dolly who is very good with cars. She changes her own brakes, rotors, serpentine belts and just about anything else you can think of. She got out of bed and drove all the way across town to come help me.
Of course as soon as she got there the car started with no problem. This is the second time that my car has just decided not to start and since I live on my own with no family in the state other than my son I have to make sure that I have a very reliable vehicle.
We drove into town (she followed me in her car) and went to the car dealership. I decided that it was time to trade in my car for a new one that has a warranty.
They looked at my car for trade in (I didn’t tell them about the starting problem) and they found a lot of engine issues including coolant pouring down my engine.
I was looking at purchasing a Hyundai Sonata because they have excellent warranties and the quality has improved dramatically. Unfortunately I have to keep my car payment below $350 per month and the only option that I had was a Kia Spectra Sport because I have quite a bit of negative equity on my current car.
I was approved for a loan with a 7.40% interest rate and my payment will be $338 per month. I wouldn’t sign the papers until I called my insurance company to find out what the cost would be. My insurance is going up $5 per month so I called the dealership to let them know that I would coming down after work to sign the papers.
I like the car but it wouldn’t have been my first choice. I hope that I am happy with my decision.
Here is a stock photo of my new car. The only difference is that mine is silver, not blue.




8 comments:

Tara said...

I hope your new car is better luck for you! It looks nice, and I'm sure it looks great in silver!

FW said...

Shame about the Malibu. Hope you have better luck with the new car, I know what you mean about reliability: it's essential when you have a child.

minijonb said...

I don't know if I trust you driving a "sporty" car like that =;-)

Wishing you all the best with your new car... will you give him/her a name?

Rachel said...

Tara ~ It looks a lot better in silver. Thanks.

Furtive ~ I have to have a reliable car. There isn't an option for me. I have been tempted for a while to just buy a junker car for backup in case mine breaks down. Still might do it just in case.

MiniJonB~ I don't ever name my cars. Don't know why. If I ever did I would probably name it after a horse.

Anonymous said...

Aw......with the title, I was looking forward to some car-on-car action. **Sigh**

Your new car is sharp. And sporty. And it's got a cooler name. "Malibu" just makes me think of Barbie.

"Alalalalalgagalaalalalalallalala..."

laura b. said...

That is a darling little car. It will be worth the car payment for the peace of mind, I'll bet. I have never had a new car in my life, so I am jealous!

Anonymous said...

It's a lovely car! I like silver very much, I hope you'll be happy with it. Did you test drive it yet? Even though it was not your first choice, once you are driving away in a new car, it will be a great feeling, especially as it'll give you peace of mind as well.

Rachel said...

FG~ Car on car porn...nice!

l.b. ~ Reliability is my #1 issue. It is a zippy little car. I prefer automatics but a manual is OK too.

Erica ~ Silver and grey cars are my favorite. I do like red too but they attract tickets like Paris Hilton attracts negative publicity.