What is it about the new car smell that is so satisfying? If you take your car to a car wash place, you can sometimes even select "new car smell" as the spray the car detailers use to spark up your car's interior**.
Well, I am smelling new car smell these days.
It's a bit of a long story, and you probably want me to cut right to the photos, right? Here's the quick version. We have had a Chrysler Town and Country van for more than 10 years. It was pushing 100,000 miles, and little things began to go wrong with it. Such as, windshield wipers needing a new motor. . .or not, depending on which dealer was repairing it. Combine with that the fact that the dealer we bought it from was decertified as a Chrysler dealer to sell new cars. The dealer will still exist, as a used car place, but it can no longer do any warranty work.
So, my husband went car-shopping, and discovered that we qualified for the "cash for clunkers" program. (Now, that's something you r-e-a-l-l-y want to hear--you are driving a clunker.) So he picked out a hybrid. That meant we would have two sedans--no vehicle for hauling our dog in her crate. Solution--I could trade in my 7 year old Mazda Protégé--which has been an all around great car, but not really suitable for hauling things such as dog crates.
Well, I am smelling new car smell these days.
It's a bit of a long story, and you probably want me to cut right to the photos, right? Here's the quick version. We have had a Chrysler Town and Country van for more than 10 years. It was pushing 100,000 miles, and little things began to go wrong with it. Such as, windshield wipers needing a new motor. . .or not, depending on which dealer was repairing it. Combine with that the fact that the dealer we bought it from was decertified as a Chrysler dealer to sell new cars. The dealer will still exist, as a used car place, but it can no longer do any warranty work.
So, my husband went car-shopping, and discovered that we qualified for the "cash for clunkers" program. (Now, that's something you r-e-a-l-l-y want to hear--you are driving a clunker.) So he picked out a hybrid. That meant we would have two sedans--no vehicle for hauling our dog in her crate. Solution--I could trade in my 7 year old Mazda Protégé--which has been an all around great car, but not really suitable for hauling things such as dog crates.
I did a whole lot of comparison shopping, using Consumer Reports, and Edmunds. We did some test driving, and then I narrowed down to the Honda CRV or the Toyota RAV-4. Finally, the RAV-4 won out. With my husband's skill at negotiating, we got a very good deal and ordered a blue RAV-4. The car came in to the dealer on Monday, and we picked it up in the evening.
First thing after we got home--I took the dog for a ride. And saw this glorious sunset.
The next day, I took the dog to the new dog park in our township. We sat in the shade, and contemplated the lovely sky.
Many more trips await the dog and me. The new car smell will fade, true. But if I enjoy the RAV-4 as much as I enjoyed the Protégé, it will be a fun car.
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**NOTE: the photos of the RAV-4 are not of my specific car, but photos obtained from the Internet. The colors, however, are true--Pacific blue exterior, ash grey interior.
10 comments:
Have fun in your new vehicle. It is very attractive. I know I would qualify for the "clunker" deal (I have a 1996 Acura Integra with 168,000 miles !) but I can't afford to buy a new one. Sigh.....
So both of you got new vehicles? And the dog lucked out as well. Fantastic. Hope you will tell us about the hybrid as well.
Yep. The dog should take care of that new car smell in no time. :)
So did the deal for the clunker really work out? Did they jack the price up of the new vehicle to make some of their money? I would love to help my daughter get a new vehicle. I think hers would qualify as a clunker as well.
How fun! Enjoy it Donna!
Enjoy! We will probably trade in our clunker truck this year. Yay for cash-for-clunkers! Glad to know the program worked!
As I am new to your blog... do tell more about your dog! and congrats on the dog-hauling machine.
Wow - congrats on your new purchase! I hope you and your dog have loads of fun in it for many miles to come!
How nice to have a new car. A little unpatriotic not to by an American brand! It does seem to be somewhat ecologically responsible.
All I can afford is a occasional can of new car smell to spray in the outhouse. One can dream!
I have been looking at the Rav and really like it's new looks! Congrats and enjoy!
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