Stick to Basics and Wear Something Sexy
Jul 13 '00
It's not that often that I buy a new car, especially since I've been married. My husband is one of those guys who buys a brand new car, then drives it until the ball joints fall out while he's driving it (this happened twice before he parted with the 1972 Hurst Cutlass 442 he owned until 1988).
There's a lot to be said for that approach. Not having car payments is very nice, and now appeals to me more than having a shiny new chariot every couple of years.
But before I was married, I purchased several cars on my own, and with my own money. Therefore, I will gear my suggestions to young women who are buying a car on their own for the first time.
The first car I bought, at age 18, was a one-owner 1966 Pontiac Bonneville with a 455 Engine for $250.00. It was a great car and had all the power options you can imagine, including cruise control! Parking the thing was like trying to dock the Queen Mary, but I would have kept that car for years (although gasoline was costly)if my grandpa hadn't passed away and left me a four-door, sapphire blue Ford Maverick with only 5,000 miles on it, black wall tires and moon hubcaps.
How could I turn down a free, nearly new car? Even if it did look like it should have "State of Nebraska" painted on the door? So I sold that Bonneville, which was a mistake. If I could have afforded to keep both cars, I certainly would have.
But a couple of years later, I traded it in for a sporty bright-orange Pontiac Sunbird with a white top. I also took on small car payments. The only problem -- tan interior. Tan shows dirt, and I like a tidy car. It also was a 4-speed, which took me some time to learn to love.
The next car I bought as a single young woman was a brand-new 1979 Chevy Monza, again a 4-speed. If I had known I would have that car until 1991 and drive it through pregnancy, toting a baby and car seat around, I would have definitely bought something larger.
Now that you know a bit about my car history, I'll pass on some valuable lessons I learned.
You Might Own This Car for a Long Time
Choose a color you have always liked. If you have liked blue since you were old enough to talk, choose blue. Pick an interior color that hides soiling. White or tan will show every mark.
Unless you really love red, you'll probably tire of it quickly. It's hot in the summer, and it may fade from the sun.
Avoid too many power features. I'll take manual roll-down windows any day, if I have the choice. Same with power seats. Electrical convenience features are the first thing that will go wrong as the car ages, and they're very expensive to fix.
Finally, choose a car that's a little larger than you think you need. You'll pat yourself on the back every time you want to transport a piece of furniture or a big plant.
Gauges, Gauges, Gauges!
At first, gauges were the last thing I thought about when buying a car! I didn't know what they meant, anyway! But they're so much more reliable than idiot lights, which don't always work.
And by the time those warning lights blink or buzz at you, it's often too late, you're already overheated, have lost lots of oil, or have serious engine trouble.
It's the smartest thing you'll ever do if you make sure you have traditional gauges in your new vehicle, and learn what they mean! Even better if the gauges also have a blinking light or warning signal as well.
Choose a Car You Can See Yourself Driving 10 Years From Now
This is kind of like picking a boyfriend. What you loved at 18 is going to be way too juvenile for you at 28.
Guess how long one of my sisters owned the 1976 Lime Green Vega she couldn't live without as a high school senior? Oh, never mind. It died in 1979.
But one of my other sisters bought a burgundy 1977 Pontiac Sunbird, which was sporty enough for a high school senior, but sophisticated enough as she went to college and into the career world.
Resist That Impulse Purchase
Don't be swayed by high-pressure sales staff, there will be another chance to get a similar vehicle.
Take all the time you need to learn about the reliability ratings of the car, get the Blue Book value for the model year and features, or take it to a trustworthy mechanic to check it over first.
With so many Internet services available today, like www.carfax.com, you may find it's well worth the small fees to check out the history of the exact car you wish to buy, especially if it's used.
Ask for the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) or ask the dealer to provide you with an independent history.
Wear Something Sexy!
Yes, it does work. It even works when I buy a car with my husband, who is the shy type and lets me do all the talking and negotiating on price. Then he jumps in with the really tough questions and demands the lowest possible financing plan -- or tells the dealer that he'll go to our credit union for more favorable rates. He also turns down all the add-on packages he recognizes as fluff. We are a hustlin' team, we are!
If you're not married, but you think a male presence would help, take your dad for final negotiations (brothers and uncles are good, too).
And if you aren't the type to wear anything provocative, wear something that makes you feel confident and powerful, but that's still very flattering to you.
I don't recommend buying a red car. But a red dress sure as heck doesn't hurt!
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MsHooterville
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Member: Ms Hooterville
Location: Hooterville Green Acres USA
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News and feature writer, graphic designer and artist, wife and mother, small business owner.
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