Trading Up

I had been driving my 1999 Dodge Neon for just under 4 years. I had bought her for a steal, and up until about a year ago, all the repairs I had made were still worth it. Then that changed. I seemed like every time I turned around there was a problem. That transmission I had rebuilt two years ago, was starting to fail again. I had an oil leak and the engine was having some major issues. Pretty soon I had worries about accelerating, the car would stall out at stop lights, and it was running really rough. It was time to buy a new car.

I looked around online, but I wasn't finding anything I wanted. I wanted another smaller car. I drive a lot, so I needed something with decent mileage. I wanted a four door, not a two door. Air conditioning would be nice, but I wasn't too picky about much else. You would think finding a car to meet those specs and a 9,000 budget would be easy. That is where I was wrong.

After a great deal of searching, I found a 2005 Kia Rio for just under 7,000. It seemed to be a good deal. I made the appointment to take test drive. I wasn't ready to commit to anything. I was just going to look.

When I showed up on the lot, I knew I looked like an easy mark. I was a twenty-something girl showing up by myself. I might as well have stenciled "sucker" across my forehead. I met the sales rep I had spoken with on the phone, and he showed me the car in question. I could tell he still thought I was an easy sell. He was greatly mistaken. This would be the beginning of nearly five long hours of work on his behalf. I may be indecisive on little choices, but I am a force to be reckoned with on big decisions.

I was pretty sapphire blue, and from the outside it looked nice. Inside it was clean. You could still tell it had been owned by a smoker. There was a faint smell that they had not been able to cover up. Still, I wasn't panning the car completely. A little febreeze and some air fresheners could do wonders. I sat down in the drivers seat, and went to pull the seat up. I'm not much over five feet tall and my legs are very short. As I slid the seat forward, I cracked my knees into the bottom of the dash. I turned to the salesman and said, "You know I already hate this car." Even with that he still encouraged me to drive it. I did, and it was an okay drive, but nothing impressive. I told him I just wasn't interested.

When we returned to the lot, the man tried to show me other cars. I kept shooting him down. All the cars he was pointing out did not meet my basic criteria. No, that is a two door. I have birds, and I am not going to fight to get them in and out of a two door car. NO, that is too big. I'm short, and I like little cars. No, I do not want an SUV. Finally, the man said he thought he had one more car for me to look at. A few minutes later he drove up in an icy blue 2006 Kia Rio. The body looked sleeker and more appealing than the 2005. The first thing that alarmed me was the price. It was listed at $11,999. As soon as the man got out of the car I reminded him of my budget. I had been very honest about how much money I had for this car and that I did not want a car loan. I had been willing to spend 7-8,000 for a 2005. I was willing to spend a little more for a 2006 (especially with the way Kias depreciate), but 9,000 was my limit. I had told him several times I did not want the burden of a car payment. He said that maybe my trade in would help with the cost.
Now I have already told you about all the issues the Neon was having. I knew that car would not fetch me much of anything. I test drove the car anyway. I figured it wouldn't hurt. The salesman explained to me that Kia had made several changes between the 2005 and 2006 models. I could see the exterior changes, and as I got into the car I liked the newer interior as well. When I pulled the seat forward, I did not hurt myself. So far, things were looking better. I loved the way the car handled, and I really enjoyed driving it. Of course I had an arsenal of questions. Were those city or highway miles? Would the warranty transfer? What are the details of the warranty? Yeah, I grilled the poor guy. When we returned to the lot, I explained that I was impressed with the car. However, the price was still too high. After talking with the salesman, he agreed to look at my trade in, and then speak with his manager.

I sat in his office for a while, and I realized I was not anywhere near ready to buy a car. I didn't have the Neon's title with me. I didn't even have my check book! Maybe it wouldn't even be a huge deal. If he couldn't come down on the price, I would have to keep looking anyway. Eventually he did return. He admitted that my trade in was not road safe, and that I wouldn't get much for it. However, he did get his boss to bring down the price. He asked if 9,300 including tax and title was acceptable. It was, but I of course did not have any of the things I needed to make the purchase final.

We started the paperwork. I made a trip home to get the items I needed. We called my insurance company and switched over the coverage, and pretty soon I am sitting in his manager's office writing the biggest check I have ever written. I cleaned out my Neon, and drove off the lot in my 2006 Kia Rio. Yes, that salesman made a commission off me that day, but I made him earn ever last dollar.