That my car now has sweat and sand stain on the driver's seat? ick lol. I can't decide if I should be divulging this somewhat self compromising fact, but I guess it's too late now isn't it :) Which brings me to my real plight. I need a new car!!
Besides the fact that my volleyball antics seem to be ruining my driver's seat fabric interior, I have been driving a 2000 Toyota Echo since my college days, and unfortunately it has taken a beating over the years. That, and let's be real, I'm 26, (lol I almost wrote I have 26 years, yay, still thinking a bit in Spanish) and I think it's about time for an upgrade. I finally feel somewhat adultish, and in about 6-8 months, I expect to be in a (much awaited) position to be able to make that purchase.
Now, on to what to buy. I seem to gravitate towards yellow (ish) colors for the past couple years, although reason tells me I might want to avoid bright colors since they probably get more attention from those people we call cops? Or is that just red? How does the color thing work. Or maybe it's just an old wives tale and I can just pick whatever color I want. The funny thing is, for the longest time, my favorite color was purple. Now all I want to buy is yellow. Yellow shoes, yellow clothes, I want a yellow kitchen someday, etc. Do favorite colors change normally?
Next requirement. I want it to have good gas economy or to use the trending buzz word, for it to be 'green.' While of course I enjoy the savings that my little Toyota offers, I also just feel compelled to take responsibility for my footprint on the environment. I have always been a big recycler, ask my mom, when I was a kid, I wouldn't say I was obsessed, but I was definitely more concerned/aware than my peers. I just feel if we have the ability to take control and do better, we should.
The last thing is not so much a need, but more of a want. I like the idea of having a vehicle that has four wheel drive/more space for going on outdoor adventures. Maybe something like the Toyota Fortuner? Don't call me out on this in case it's like the worse gas economy ever or something. I have really not done any homework, just briefly done a google image search. What do I mean by outdoor adventures you ask? Oh you know, hiking, camping, maybe fishing/hunting? I'm not really a huge fisher, but I'm OK as long as I have a beer in my hand :) Hunting - don't know a thing about it. I just like the idea of living off the land. Pretty sure I could handle it though. Other activities would be mountain biking and off-roading. We used to go off-roading in the rainforest in Costa Rica and picnicking. I would love to do that sort of thing maybe up north in Fossil Creek/Strawberry. (Joiners?) The thing is, I never drove during those off-roading adventures, although perhaps it's time I learn.
Oh oh, one more thing. To lease or to buy. Which is better these days? Anyone care to offer insight and your experiences?
As far as the color thing, Ehren is a scary driver sometimes, and he has never been pulled over, even in his bright yellow car :)
ReplyDeleteAnd don't lease! It sounds cool because you drive a new car for a couple years and the payments usually aren't bad, but it's a waste of money, and if you go over in mileage or something it's REALLY expensive. Your best bet is to buy a gently used car (not brand new since the most depreciation in value is in the first year). Actually, cars that have just come back from being leased are often a good deal, because they're only a couple years old and have been taken care of.