Because we have somehow found ourselves to be running a car business, our ride changes constantly. It’s awesome because I get to drive all different kinds of cars and figure them out.
Keeps my brain working since I have to remember how to release the trunk, how to turn on the windshield wipers, and how to find the ever-mysterious gas tank release. Some are by your seat, some on the door, some inside the glove box, and some you just push and they open. It’s crazy. Plus, I’m always forgetting which side the gas tank is on.
Anyways, it’s always new and exciting. One day, we could be rolling in this:
A Mercedes ML55 AMG. It’s special and my husband’s new baby.
and the next day you could see us rolling around in this…
A 1994 Toyota Tercel, 4-spd stick shift.
This tiny 4-cylindar car was a trade-in and surprised the shit out of me because it was fastest selling car I’ve ever had. I have never gotten so many calls for this 15+ year old car that had 180,000 miles on it.
And honestly, this little thing was so darn fun to drive with a super easy stick shift. I only drove it a day since the sucker sold so fast but it was fun while it lasted. I miss driving a stick shift.
Oh and when we got this car, it was the filthiest thing you’ve ever seen inside. I cleaned this mother like a madwoman! The guys at the carwash are starting to recognize me, even though I’m in a different ride each time. As soon as I got thru cleaning this car, I knew I could sell this sucker.
So, despite sleet and an oncoming snow storm, my buyer drove an hour to meet me, drove it around the block, and paid me on the spot. I love sales like this. Cars that sell themselves are the best so what we choose to buy must be unique.
MERCEDES ML55 AMG
Well now the ML55 AMG. Talk about unique. The AMG is like the M-series for BMW. The regular Mercedes MLs are made in Alabama but the AMG is made in an AMG performance factory in Germany. These are rare and difficult to find because owners will keep them for life. Oh the excitement in this eyes when he came home.
We were going to sell it but he loves this car so much, unless someone gives us top dollar for the car, and even thenI’m not sure he would. He knows he has a gem. This SUV when bought brand new is about $100,000.
Someone paid $100,000 for this car! You can best believe that we did not pay this much and this car has been kept immaculate…like new!
DEPRECIATION IS A BITCH
I guess some have to learn the hard way. I know I did. Do you remember the minivan that I slept in with Thelma to settle a bet (Click HERE). I bought that thing brand new while I was working at Ford…got it loaded to the MAX and paid $30,000 for it, that’s including an employee discount from Ford. I sold it for practically pennies. That’s because depreciation is a bitch ya’ll!!
This is why I will NEVER buy a new car again! It’s like throwing away your money! Well, leasing a car definitely is throwing away your money but buying brand new is too. With drastic depreciation and interest rates on top of the price of the car, you would be a fool to buy new. I know, some people are like…”Well, I like the peace of mind of having a new car. No repairs.”
Shoot, for the extra tens of thousands of dollars that you are going to spend, I say, screw peace of mind. There are never any guarantees in life and especially with cars, as you can see from all the big news about Toyota recalling a massive amount of cars, including the brand new 2010 Prius.
Plus, you can always sell/trade it again when you’re sick of it and make some money off of it. You’re going to have to be wise with your money if you want to stop being a slave to it.
There are SO MANY great used cars out there. Since starting this business, I’ve had the opportunity to drive Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes.Why pay $30,000-$50,000 for a brand new car when you could pay half that or less for a LUXURY car that is only a few years old?
And so what if you’re going to put a few hundred dollars into repairs…you’re gonna save THOUSANDS!!!
-Jane, Wiser Car Owner
10/02/2010 at 6:54 AM Permalink
Great post Jane! I feel the same way. Why would I buy something that loses value the minute I drive it off the lot and take it home? Peace of mind is not having a car payment for life, calculate how many repairs that will pay for!! I love my used cars.
10/02/2010 at 8:20 AM Permalink
OK Jane, Dick can keep the AMG as long as he does not drive it like everyone else in their MLs. Between hobbies and work, I put in some major miles in cities, plains, up on the mountain roads and back on jeep trails. That Merc is the one vehicle I will always be aware of.
It may have something to do with the particular type of yoga moms we have out here in Boulder (and I love the yoga moms, don’t get me wrong), but those cars seem to be prone to texting while driving while drinking skinny-skitzo-quad-caramel-mochas..floating around, near, over and about those funny little lines other people drive inbetween..and causing blind spots between the driver and most lights and road signs…and generally being a road hazard.
I am sure Dick is a great driver and won’t fall into these traps. It is a beautiful vehicle, I would keep it if it came my way. Hey, since you guys are a little auto dealership, I should send you my toy XJ. I really need to list it but every time I look at it it says, “….don’t sell me”.
10/02/2010 at 11:48 PM Permalink
DoubleA: You are right on!!
Dominic: Sounds like you’ve had one too many run-ins with MLs. Oh, and I don’t do yoga. Not yet anyway.