Category: My World (Page 7 of 15)

Yesterday we bought a new car. It was a first one for us. Until then, we’d taken pride of never having spent more than $5K in a car. Driving cheap cars, not having a monthly payment, was not only how we kept afloat during tough economic times, but our way of turning away from the uber-consumerist society in which we live (and in which we so readily participate at Christmastime) .
But after crushing our car last year, we needed a new 4-door car to accommodate the whole family. We went through all the feasible possibilities. I wanted a wagon – but we discovered that at best these cars get 25 mpg – same thing with minivans which I didn’t really want (too big). I liked the Matrix, which are basically corollas with hatchbacks, but their 31 mpg (Hwy) didn’t convince me. So we went back to our original plan: a corolla – we’ve owned 2 so far and we’ve been happy with them. But, but, but… as long as we were talking fuel efficiency, shouldn’t we just go for a hybrid? They are, OTHO, significantly more expensive than corollas.
We went back and forth and finally the environment won out. So yesterday, we went car shopping. We were in sort of a hurry because we wanted to have the car before my sister arrives early next month – that way she’ll have something to drive while she’s here (and can thus taxi us around). But I didn’t really have to buy a car yesterday, and now I sort of wish I didn’t.
We first went to look at used hybrids at a dealership near our house. They had both priuses and civics, selling for about the same price: $19K for basic or just above basic models with about 50K miles. There wasn’t a price difference between the two. Of course, that was the price before negotiation – I’ve no idea what the real price would be.
Then we went to see the new civics – Mike liked them and I negotiated what was probably the best deal they could give us. Still, we had to see the priuses first. And we did, at the Toyota dealership in Alameda.
Mike test drove one and he liked it more, I think the thought it was smoother. I liked the fact that it has a higher MPG rating for city driving (and this will mostly be a city car), that it’s a hatchback and that the back seats recline. I also liked the back camera – when and if I ever drive, I’m sure it’ll be very useful getting out of our driveway. So in sum, I wanted the prius.
I knew that it was a more popular car than the civic, so I was willing to pay more than for the civic, but I ended up paying about $1K more than I wanted to (and $2K more than the civic). And for this I blame myself. I wasn’t ready to negotiate – I hadn’t done my homework and the only basis for price I had were the numbers the civic dealership had given me. I didn’t have a negotiating plan and I hadn’t thought the process through. They, of course, have the process down to a T and I fell for their tactics. So now I’m feeling pretty screwed, and instead of feeling happy for having a new car, I feel stupid for having bought it yesterday just like that. I guess this is why they have laws making cars non-returnable 🙂
In addition, we got a red car. I don’t mind the color, per se, but everyone and their mother has a red prius and I would have liked to have a different one. Hmm, I wonder if we should return it and get a different color (that you can do within 3 days :-).
But the point is that I’m unhappy when I should be happy (and this is without doing any research to figure out just how much I overpaid!). I can’t even say “lesson learned” as I don’t plan to buy a new car ever again 🙂

I arrived from Kenya yesterday afternoon. But for the work that remains, and the plight of its people, it would almost seem like a distant memory.
In all, I had a very good time. I met some very nice people, learned quite a bit about the country, the culture and the politics, and I hope I’ll be able to help in the fight against impunity there. I wasn’t as useful as I hope I’d be, but there is still time, and I may go back.
I’m glad to be home, with the kids and Mike, but it’s definitely a readjustment. From having nothing to do but work (and blog), I come to having everything to do but work (though I’ll still blog). Spring break starts Monday. I’m afraid.

I haven’t blogged for a while – or at least it feels like it – and I probably won’t blog here for still another while. I’ve come to Nairobi (where I’m now) to help the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights with a report on the recent killings in the country. I’ve started a blog about my experiences here – but for the time being, at least, only for friends. Alas, it should be pretty easy to find for those so inclined to look for it 🙂