Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Newest Member to Our Family

Ladies and Gentleman,


I would like to introduce to you the newest member to our little family...

Her name is Lola, she is a showgirl.

She is a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser. She has 29,000 miles and is still under the original warranty. I bought her today, ALL BY MYSELF!!!

After our old car went to automobile heaven, we went without a car for a week. Then in a stroke of genius, (mine of course) we decided to rent a car until ours would be fixed.

We rented a PT Cruiser because Matt has always wanted one. I wasn't sure it was for me...until I drove it. It is so big and roomy inside. It sits up high like an SUV and drives so smooth. I knew I had to have one.

We got the news that the car would cost more to fix than it was worth. In fact, it wasn't worth anything. A 1996 Ford Escort wagon? Imagine that!

I found Lola on the web and Matt and I discussed it. I should go and buy it and put it in my name because I would be the one driving it and it would be something to boost my credit.

I was scared, I have never done this alone. I have always had Matt or my Stepfather with me.

I walked in there armed with some research from the web and my smile.

Well, it turns out that I haven't financed anything in over 5 years. The last car we bought, Matt paid cash. The car before that, I bought from my father. The fact that I have no credit, is worse than having bad credit.

They suggested a co-signer, but I didn't want to do that unless I really had to. They contacted a few banks and were waiting to hear from one in particular. They suggested that I went home and they would call me if they heard anything. I was no sooner out of the parking lot when my cell phone rang. My new very good friend, Dave had worked his little fingers to the bone and the bank was going to do it, but they needed a few items from me.

1) Proof of insurance. (no problem)

2) Proof of income. (I got paid yesterday, so I had check stubs in my purse)

3) 6 personal references (can they be family members? Yes? Then no problem)

4) Proof of residency, a utility bill in my name (UH-OH!)

This morning, I went through all of our bills and thankfully, the cell bill and the Internet bill is in my name. I called all of my references and made sure it was OK to list them, and I walked into the dealership today with a pretty pink folder full of my homework assignment.

I walked out of the dealership with a great sense of pride and a set of keys!!!

The girls named her Lola, isn't she beautiful?

Hooray for ME!!!!

20 comments:

Keeper of the Skies Wife said...

Beautiful! Congrats!!! I heard they were really nice cars and very smooth driving!

I hope Lola serves you well.

Intense Guy said...

Ohhh... Nice! so very, very nice!

Betcha that big smile on your face seal the deal too.

Becky said...

That is so awesome! We name our cars too:) My new one is called black beauty:)

Anonymous said...

My daughter had one and loved it... then along came child #3 and a Dodge Durango so the 2 dogs and hubby would fit inside as well.

It's a cute car... congrats on your purchase!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Deanna said...

well now, aren't you special!!!! Great job. You have every right to be very proud of your new addition to your family.

Crazee Juls said...

Yes, very good for you! :) I've always loved PT cruisers.... thought they were cool looking, and after my little jeep-- I need something roomier. :)

Thanks for stoppin' by my blog.. Hope you have a great weekend.

Rebecca Jo said...

What a beautiful new member of the family!!!! A friend of mine has one of these cars & everyone loves it... I love how the seats fold up in the back...

Congrats!!!

Toriz said...

YAY for you! :)

xxx said...

Very exciting... congratulations! You must be feeling very grown up.

I haven't purchased anything on credit for over 10 years.
Our motto is if we can't pay cash then we don't have it.
Hence we don't have much :-)
Naaah that's not totally true... Less is More :-)

best wishes Ribbon

PS when I grow up I want a real car too

Donnetta said...

Hooray YOU!

Showgirls are awesome!

Young Momma said...

Congrats!!! I rented one about four years back and was not a fan... but I can't remember why?? lol However, I do know that they are quite roomy in the back... but I doubt you'd want details on HOW exactly I know that. lol! ;) Enjoy your new show girl!

Jenny and the Princess Peonies said...

Oooooh I LOVE her! She could totally hang with Black Betty! Good for you!

MarmiteToasty said...

Oh Ive seen those cars over here only our steering wheels are on the proper side lmfao....

Lola is beautiful...well done you..

x

BloggessJ said...

She's a beauty! I hope Lola is a good girl for you!

Nana said...

See, things are already looking up!!!!!! YAY!

LadyStyx said...

Very nice! Congrats hun!!

Lacey said...

It's gorgeous! And so totally you!

I know what you mean about the no credit = worse than bad credit thing. Mike went through that when he bought his truck a few years ago, so I co-signed on it to make everything go smoother. And now he has BEAUTIFUL credit! Hooray!

There's nothing quite like a new car to make everything better, don't you think? Even trips to the grocery store are suddenly fun, haha. CONGRATULATIONS!

Funny in My Mind said...

I love Lola!
She is a pretty baby and you will love her!!

Heather said...

Way to go, Becky!

Empowering, isn't it?

Lola is beautiful! Congratulations!

ChicagoLady said...

Congratulations! I've never really been fond of the Cruisers, but my aunt has one, a twin to Lola, and absolutely LOVES it! She's really heartbroken that they're discontinuing them. Now that you have her, you'll look for, and see, PTC's all over the place. Look for yellow ones and regular white (not cream), they are the more uncommon colors.