Growing Up
It is something I vowed never to do, but in the last two weeks I have entered the realm of 30 and we got a minivan.
I could care less about turning 30. I still wake up every day so I am happy. My wife and kids make everyday a great reason to wake up.
The Minivan
Last weekend we went to Kim’s parents’ house for a few days. Some great friends of ours loaned us their minivan for the trip. Thank you again Aut & Doug! Kim and I realized that we were now addicted to the space so I set out to get info about current offers on minivans.
The finalists for our money included the Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest and Dodge Grand Caravan. A while back we also had the Toyota Sienna, Chevy Uplander and the Kia Sedona in the group…but the they didn’t make it this time. The Sienna wasn’t visually appealing enough to us, the Kia is a Kia and has a stigma of being a Kia to me. The Uplander wasn’t considered because when I was writing service 75% of my income was from GM so none of them for my wife and kids primary transportation.
Thursday
Kim was out attending to the flower beds after the kids went to bed so I decided to make some calls. By bedtime I had made appointments at the Nissan and Dodge dealerships for Friday. I had calls in to two Honda dealers as well, but no appointment with either.
Friday 8-17-07
10am we went into the Nissan dealer at 10 to test drive the Quest. We were both impressed with the way the Quest drove, but it was a pretty stripped down model with manual side doors, and the only real option was the DVD player. We ran the numbers which turned out great, but we had to leave because Paige and Kim had to take naps (Kim works Friday night). When we were leaving we told the salesman we would call them within a few hours with our decision.
While Kim and Paige were sleeping, and Aiden was on the desktop, I started doing some research. While comparing things I came across something I NEVER thought about looking at. The Quest requires 91 Octane fuel…{BUZZER}…so sorry, not going to drive something with a 20 gallon tank that requires the most expensive gas. Called the dealership to say “No” and when I explained about the premium fuel the salesman replied “You can just run regular in it”…it requires the 91 for a reason thanks.
Saturday 8-18-07
After Kim woke up yesterday we packed up and headed to a Honda dealership. Kim “test drove” the van (drove up and down the street at no more than 10 mph) and liked it. We started working the numbers. Long story short we got the Odyssey in Aberdeen Green.
About the van
The Odyssey is Aberdeen Green which is basically silver with a ting of green…we like it. It is an EX-L w/ RES. EX-L meaning it is power everything with leather. RES is “rear entertainment system” or DVD player. The sticker price was roughly $37k. By the time we were done we got the van for $29k. So almost $8k off the sticker price. Then they gave us $8500 on the Subaru for trade. Consider the high book on the Subie is about $8900 and it needs a new windshield, tires and the check engine light is on…we are happy with what they gave us for it. Overall, I think this van will work for us for a long time…and I got the one I preferred (if I had to get a minivan).
Parting Shot
Kim is having a good decade.
1997: She bought herself the Tercel. New (which I am now driving)
2002: Subaru Forester. New. Went in to buy me a new car and left with a new car for Kim. For the record I am glad we got the Forester instead of the WRX because the kids’ stuff never would have fit in the WRX.
2007: Got her the minivan she wanted. New.
Now, lets count how many new cars Chris has gotten.
ummmmmm….uhhhhhhhh…I got nothing. But Kim is happy, and that makes me happy.
