my hybrid & the decision

 Last Saturday we started the search for my new vehicle.  Dave was turning in his company car and that left me without a ride.

For the past 18 years I've driven fleet cars ...purchased from the company that Dave works for.   But this time....timing was an issue (among a few other things).

So, we decided to test drive new so we could see what I liked and then the plan was we'd buy a used version.   And we tried.  We spent Saturday thru Tuesday searching....and it was painful with a capital P!! 

I test drove so many that I told Dave to just buy me one and I'd be happy (but I was secretly hoping he'd arrive with my favorite). We wanted a good price but there are some things I really wanted & since I've always driven fleet vehicles they've never had any bells & whistles.  Don't we all know by now I'm a bells & whistles kind of girl?

We drove new & used and I kept coming back to the Mercury Mariner (okay I need to insert this here....if you have had any negative things happen with a Mercury Mariner or a Hybrid, please don't tell me...I don't want to know...I know some of you have only good intentions.... but if you tell me I will worry and then not be happy).

Back to the Mercury Mariner....when I drove it...or from the minute I sat in it...it felt like my car (SUV).   On Monday they let me bring it home for the night.  On Tuesday I took it back and almost cried. 

So it was back to square one going from dealer to dealer searching for a car. We checked out Nissan and Honda on that day.  Them not letting us drive the car alone....did not allow us to talk freely about the pros and cons and I was ready to run off the lot...not walk. 

If any car salesman reads this post....if you want to sell a car...you need to give your customers some space....allow them to test drive it alone! It's possible I would look closer at the Pathfinder but I felt crowded ...does that make sense.


Tuesday night I was a basket case! I was done searching and wanted someone to make the decision for me.
I called my sister Deanna....or maybe she called me.   Since I'm the oldest I'm normally the advice giver but this time Deanna dished it out to me.

I've been saving my money to help pay for Chase and Brookes college education and I was feeling guilty...how can I buy a new car...if I wanted to help with their college fees?  And Deanna reminded me that when is the right time?  When they are both in college?  That made sense....and then we discussed that I'd keep it long enough to pay for it.  We chatted some more & when I got off the phone ......I went upstairs and told Dave I was done.  I wanted the Mariner and I would make some sacrifices to get it.  On Wednesday he made me wait all day to get it (okay he was working but you know it felt intentional).  I was so afraid someone was going to walk up and buy it!


I've driven it all over town and I love it!

We had the perfect sales rep...he did not pressure us...he never called the house....he gave us the info and then gave us a chance to think about it. 
 

I love the Navigation system...I love the hands free phone feature! The stereo is awesome (I still listen to my music loud..it's an escape from reality).  The sunroof/moonroof is very cool...and the best of all is I'm figuring I may have to get gas once a month...maybe less.
I hate going to the gas station and buying a Hybrid makes me happy!!

Have a great day:)