(no subject)

[wildflowersoul]

Oh. My. God.

Am so stressed out. Buying a car is so complicated and involves so much hassle. Impending travel plans are stressing me out. Interpersonal relations are stressing me out. Work is even stressing me out.

I am a big ball of freaking out right now.

It's time to get some tea, sit down and find some sixty year old tax regulations, pay the library bills, and try to forget about all the hassles for a while.

Comments

[mrs-muffin.livejournal.com]

Take a deep breath. Everything is going to work out just fine. Have you been to a dealership yet? As much as I dislike a lot of car salesmen, they're usually very good about walking you through everything and tell you what you need to do and what they'll take care of for you. It's really not that bad, it just seems like a lot.

And think of what you'll have when you're done. A CAR!!! You can drive...wherever you want!

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Not yet, but talking to my boss and my coworker has made me paranoid that all car salsepeople are out to get you and want to take all your money from you. And getting insurance is complicated and scary. But... car!

And I just realized that I'm totally PMSing and that's probably why I feel all sad and lonesly and stressed. Stupid womanly hormones.

[mrs-muffin.livejournal.com]

Stupid girl parts. I think we're PMSing together. I've been thinking about a chocolate bar all day, but I'm going to do it after the binge this weekend. I ate more of your cake yesterday. *drool*

Anyway, I am not a fan of car salespeople. I've had some crappy experiences and yes, they can be pretty pushy. Just give them a bottom line and don't let them talk you into anything you're not looking for. And if you're having trouble with someone, ask for another rep or go somewhere else. You don't have to buy a car (and shouldn't, because they're making commission off you) from someone who's being a dick. I think your best bet is to know what you want when you get there and don't look confused or wishy washy.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Oh god. I have visions of peanut butter cups dancing in my head, but I'm abstaining from sugary goodness for a week after the delicious sugar shock of this weekend.


I'm totally prepared to be Tough Jennie, so I hope that keeps up even when I'm looking at a cute little car that goes vroom vroom and can take me places where the bus doesn't go....

[incandes-flower.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry kiddo. I wish I could help. Buying a car is stressful, but once it is done - it's done. You'll do ok. And I'm sorry to hear other stuff is making you do the wacky... man it's gotta be the full moon or something everyone is stressed out.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

It's the full moon of insane estrogen.

There's a lot of Big Money Decisions being taken care of right now, it's probably not the best time to be trying to buy a car, truthfully, because other things need to be squared away first. But now I've gotten it into my head that we need a car, stat, and I'll be antsy for it unitl it's done.

[incandes-flower.livejournal.com]

I get that. It's hard having a big thing like that hanging over your head anyway. As for the cars salesmen, it's not fun to deal with them, but look at it as a learning experience. I think Jere and I did ok, but we made some mistakes. They asked us right away how much we were willing to pay and I gave them a range. Then they stuck to the high end of that range. They haggled with us over $30. The guy said to us "It's only $30." So then I said to him "then why won't you bring the price down." He laughed and split the difference with us. I think they would have come down a lot more if we had left and come back later, but since we were shopping out of state and this was the only place we found exactly the care we wanted we took it. You have the advantage of being able to walk away. They don't want you to do that because you are less likely to come back. You have all the power, it's your choice. They just try to intimidate you. But I've seen how you are when you feel like someone is trying to screw you. You're tough and they'd better watch out for Angry Jennie.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

That's good advice. I'm totally all for walking if they don't cave to a good price, and I bet that they'd call me in a few days and suddenly be able to lower the price.

[incandes-flower.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I know other people who have gotten calls from the dealer. Our problem was that this was the car we wanted and other dealerships didn't have this model with an automatic transition in our price range with a warranty. So we probably paid more because we absolutely wanted it. If you are more flexible and can wait you're better off. Jeremy and I have a habit of rushing big decisions just to "get them over with." We are working on that one. And fortunately I think we did pretty well with our car.

[incandes-flower.livejournal.com]

Ok I meant transmission. And now I'm not even sure I spelled that right. Time to go home and have ice cream!

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

I totally hear that about big decisions and doing it just to get it over with. Neither Drew nor I have a good tolerance for "hassle," hassle being anything that a)doesn't go as we planned it to, or b) requires a lot of work to get done. And this is Super Hassle.

But it'll be worth it. So worth it!

And you totally did well with your car, it's a good little car.

[c-m-i.livejournal.com]

Car Stuff - There are plenty of cars in the sea, so if some dude seems sketchy, we can just walk. No problemo. They want our money, after all, and are competing with each other for it.

Travel stuff - Let's worry about our own hows and wheres and let other people worry about theirs. No need to herd cats.

Money stuff - Really, were fine. I'll drop off the loan app in a hour or so. No worries. As for cash, remember We Don't Have To Move and have savings from that, we have that cheque from my folks, and tax returns (however wonky they are this year) are coming up too.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Very true. I do keep forgetting that I have $500 squirreled away for the April travel, and that will stretch pretty far. Plus I'll keep saving for it between now and then.

I got a quote from Amica for insurance, for a three year old Corolla- $1409/year or $1617/year, depending on which kind of liability we get. And that can be done in 10 installments, with no service fees if I have them take it directly from my bank account. That's not too bad, about $161 a month, but nothing for the last 2 months.

[bunnyroo.livejournal.com]

have you gotten other quotes? those look kinda high.
[not sure if the benefit still exists, but harvard used to have a deal with met life insurance which would get you 10% off insurance. i still use metlife (sadly sans discount).]

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Ooh, we'll check that out, thanks. I think AAA offers insurance, too, which might be cheaper. Isn't insurance regulated to be all the same in Mass, though?

It might be because Corrollas are high-theft cars and Somerville is a sketchy high-theft area, maybe?

[bunnyroo.livejournal.com]

it is regulated, but there are certain things that can be deducted from the regulated rate. like employer/aaa discount and anti-theft stuff in your car (like alarms) and stuff.
also, if memory serves me right (and who knows if this has been changed by now) i believe back when i was working my car insurance was taken out of my paycheck pre-tax.
i'm no expert on any of this, but i'm willing to help however i can.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

Thanks! =)

I will definitely look into those, even a few bucks off can't hurt!

[tenillypo.livejournal.com]

ITA with what the girls are saying. Car salesmen are pushy but they're just doing their jobs. Be firm with them, stick to your guns, don't take any deals you don't like and you'll be fine.

[wildflowersoul.livejournal.com]

That's right. I'll just yell "Nobody tells me what to do!" Then I'll kick 'em in the kneecaps.

[tenillypo.livejournal.com]

Make 'em eat dirty, Jennie Jen. Eat dirt and like it.

[prosicated.livejournal.com]

That's the solution to most of the life problems I've encountered yet. You're tough, Jen, I am in awe.