This hip little 7 seater non-minivan?
It's a piece of junk.
Seriously. Every time something goes wrong with it - which is frequently - it costs at least $400.
New sliding door mechanism? $400
New fuel pump thingamajig? $400
New transmission? $5000!
New key? Well, not quite $400, but $100.... at least. For a key!
New snow tires - which we want but will never get? $1200
And a myriad of other things - 8 weeks during the summer's worth - each $400.
I'll just mention now that we were blinded. We were blinded by the Euro's hipness and our intense desire to not drive a minivan. It was a totally dumb decision... but hey, hindsight right?
But now? We have a plan. You see, we have some upcoming adoption fees we're going to need to pay for in a few short months. Thanks to our amazing adoption agency's ministry and their whole-hearted belief in not "buying and selling children" - our fees are not as much as many adoptions through other agencies might be - but they're still something we need to plan and save for.
We decided a couple weeks ago to sell the van and buy some cheapo mini van to drive for a couple years. This will enable us to pay off some debt, free up some cash, get better gas mileage and stop pouring money into the hip little Euro sitting in our driveway. Which, by the way, doesn't seem quite as hip these days.
But today? Oh today our plan got a little sweeter. Yesterday, in the mail, an inconspicuous white envelope arrived. I didn't open it - but listened to the little voice in my head suggesting that I save it. So I put it on the dining room table - and there it sat until it's glorious plan-revealing moment would arrive.
Justin and I aren't much for buying cars from dealerships. We've had the most success buying cars from private owners, taking them to get checked out by a mechanic before we buy them. (I'll add here that the Euro was the first car we had ever bought from a dealer) But as we started to think about it, and as I've heard some positive stories lately, I decided I might browse some local dealership web sites. I told Justin that maybe we should go look around. Everyone's having super good sales right now - with the economy being as it is - and they're handing out some pretty sweet deals. We might even be able to get better financing than we would from our bank.
And here's where the letter comes in....
It was from our local Toyota dealership. Off-handedly, I said to Justin, "There's a letter from blank Toyota on the table. Why don't you open it and see if they happen to have a good deal." He tore the envelope open and as he read the letter a sly little smile appeared across his face, along with a chuckle.
"Heh heh. This is from Allan _______. He's working for ______ Toyota again. Maybe we should see what kind of a deal he'll give us when we bring in the piece of crap Eurovan he sold us......."
Ohhh..... I like how you're thinkin' JJ.
Time for a little car shopping.
*Update: I just called our Volkswagen mechanic and asked them to print out a report of all the things they've repaired over the last year and a half. You know, just in case Allan would like to take a look at it.....
8 comments:
I have a van that costs 400.00 every month or so too. I might as well have a car payment. I am certain God will provide for you and your sweet family.
Kathy
Sienna power take me away!!!
I think you've heard my likes and dislike of our Toyota Sienna. All in all it is a great, dependable, not too ugly minivan. But a minivan, none the less. I wish we would have spent more time buying it instead of just going in and buying the first one we saw, but all in all I think it is a great van. If you end up with one, I am positive you won't be disappointed.
I had to get a new transmission this summer as well, but it only cost $3000, so i'll stop my complaining. But then again, I drive a 96 Toyota Corolla - which is definitely NOT hip!
Every time I think it would be a good idea to get a car, I think of all the money-suckers I've owned. Then again, if you have a car you get to actually go places, which would be cool.
Okay, how exactly is a Eurovan not a minivan? Remember the duck test (if it walks like a duck, etc).
But GL selling it; I think you will be able to collect a hipness premium. But if you put in the classifieds, what section would you put it in?
Well.... regarding the duck test. ;-) A minivan drives more like a car and is made to drive and ride more like a car. It's also a little smaller and is made to carry people. Thus the "mini" status. A Eurovan was originally made for cargo and is not "mini". It was originally made to carry stuff and then sort of modified to carry people.
So there you have it - it's not a minivan. Or a duck.
Also, just for fun and 'cause I know only you would appreciate this - I just looked up the definitions of each on-line. A minivan is, by definition, "a small passenger van, somewhat larger than a station wagon, typically with side or rear windows and rear seats that can be removed for hauling small loads." A Eurovan is, by definition, "aside from being a redesigned and updated VW microbus, the concept also provides an IKEA-like take on van camping, with a space-saving, Swiss-army knife sensibility. Either that, or it’s the perfect first home for ex-Phishheads."
Also known as a "transporter" van.
Try looking up Eurovan in Wikipedia - there's some cool info.
We've had good luck shopping around at dealerships in Burlington for used cars as the sales tax is one of the cheapest this side of the state. Just in case you didn't know! Kevin has always been able to talk them down a couple thousand dollars...he's hardcore when it comes to car buying! Kevin's preference is the Honda minivan that have the rear windows that roll down...his favorite feature for some reason! Good luck.
Even with all this van talk--- All I can think is NEW BABY! EEEEEEEEEEEE!
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