Goodbye Alero, Hello Prius!

Last night was one of the most stressful nights of my life.  I made my very first Adult purchase and it was exhausting, scary, stressful, exciting, and confusing!

I think I did a really great job with my negotiating, especially with this being my first time!  I’m so thankful for the people in my life and their help throughout the process – I could NOT have managed without them.  Nick has been looking at cars for months.  He knew I’d need a new one in the near future and he had a good idea of what he wanted me to get as well as what would qualify as a “good deal”.  I was sad that I needed a car so soon in the future, but I’m thankful he had already been looking.  On Saturday, we went looking and I found a car I really liked, but I was nervous about my budget.  I found out last minute about a 2014 Prius that had a great rebate on it until Monday night and with all the traveling I do, the gas mileage was unbeatable.  I told the guy that I needed to talk with my dad to figure out if I could afford it and if it was a good decision.  Although I’m making my own decisions throughout the process, I’m the type of person who needs to talk through all the options to get a clear head.  On Sunday, Nick and I spent a good amount of time going over my budget and determining an amount I could afford each month.

The unfortunate thing about all of this was how quickly I needed a car.  I could either spend a couple thousand on another car that wouldn’t last me very long or I could invest in a newer car and build my credit, but stretch my budget a little.  It took me 2 days to determine what I wanted to do, but I finally had a plan in place and the negotiating began.

I went to the dealership with my dad and mom after work to sort it all out.  It was nice having them there to help me talk through decisions and I wanted them to see the car before I purchased it.  After 3 hours at the dealership, I finally left with my new car and I said goodbye to the Alero!

GOODBYE ALERO

The Alero has been on countless adventures with me and it’s been a very reliable car.  Ideally, I would have purchased a brand new Alero if they still sold them – that’s how much I loved my car!  I thought I’d round up some “memories” from my 7 years with the Alero:

• Texas: I’ve visited my cousin quite a few times in this car.  Texas was the Alero’s very first roadtrip & very last roadtrip
• Florida: It went with me to Disney when I did the Disney College Program.  It’s been back for multiple trips with Nick, including our 4th of July Weekend & Nick’s Graduation trip
• Atlanta: I have lots of family in Atlanta and now that I’m out of college, I also have a handful of friends who got jobs in Atlanta.  Nick and I love visiting Atlanta!  I’ve taken it with just my family on holiday trips & I’ve taken it on weekend trips with Nick
• Kentucky: My car has gone on a few trips to visit family in Kentucky.  It went for my great-grandmother’s funeral last August.
• Nick asked me to be his girlfriend in this car and we’ve had many serious discussions in my car!
• I’ve also had many serious discussions with other friends in this car.  Those have always been my favorite!

I am so thankful for the 7 years I got with that car!  I never had a major problem with it until recently.  Now I’m saying goodbye and although I’m sad about that, I’m excited about the new memories to be made in my Prius!  I’m in it for the long haul and I’m bound to gain more memories & more miles!

HELLO PRIUS

• Have you had to negotiate for a car?  What was your experience like?
• Would you be interested in a post with Tips on Buying your First Car?