For Christmas my Grandmother on my Father’s side sent the family some money, so we split it four ways between those of us still at home (as intended by my Grandmother.) I decided last night that I needed to spend that money on something worthwhile, so I did some research online and planned on buying some exercise equipment. Nothing major, just something to help me workout while I watch TV.
I convinced my Dad to take me, and since the sporting goods store was right near where my Mom needed to run an errand, she went as well. I bought some dumbbells (10 pounders) on sale for only thirty-nice cents a pound; a lot cheaper than I’d seen them online. I had also intended to purchase an ab roller so I can do sit-ups without killing my back. I couldn’t find one at the sporting goods store, and I couldn’t find one at Target either. But, Target had something I didn’t think I’d be able to find cheap enough. I had seen things sort of like thighmasters online but they were $50. That seemed highly stupid for some padded plastic and a spring, so I wasn’t even going to bother. But they had one at Target for only $10! I couldn’t find my ab roller, but I found something better instead. So I’m very happy with that and spent the entire evening playing around with what I bought.
But, nothing tops the good deal I found next. 🙂
My parents and I got into another rather heated discussion about the whole car issue. We seriously need to buy a car because both of my parents cars – as I’ve explained – are falling apart and I don’t feel comfortable driving them for various reasons. My Mom really wanted a BMW after our little excursion with the 325 a few weeks ago. But, she couldn’t stomach the horrendous monthly payments. I was trying to explain to them the deal with certified pre-owned BMWs, saying that if Mom wants to find an extremely good deal we need to keep tabs on our local BMW dealer. Finally, they both relented and Dad agreed to take me to the local dealership.
We wandered around for a while, then a nice guy named Paul came out and showed us a few 5-series up in the $25k range. While they were good deals for the quality and year and all that, we knew Mom wouldn’t be comfortable with that. We were standing out in the cold, looking over Paul’s list, when I spotted a car at around $14k. I asked what that was and he said I probably wouldn’t be interested since it was so old and only a four cylinder engine. It was a 1996 318i, but he said that they were selling it even though they don’t usually sell cars that old. Why? Because it was in such great shape.
Dad and I meandered about some more as Paul went to get the car. When he came back I thought for certain he’d brought out a newer car. Jet black, pretty much the same body style as the new models, and it looked beautiful. It was a bit dirty because they hadn’t gotten a chance to clean it yet; they’ve only had it for five days.
We drove it around and immediately took it back to Mom. She was only mildly impressed because she still didn’t like the sticker price. Back at the dealership we met up with the pre-owned sales director, Rick, and he explained he really wanted to work a deal because he needed to sell at least one or two more cars today to meet his goal. Very bluntly and forcefully I said, “Give it to me for $9,5 and you have a deal.” I was expecting him to laugh, but the first rule of haggling is to start ridiculously low. Bidding only goes up from there.
Instead of laughing, he thought for a moment, and then looked through his computer to find the exact information on what he paid to own that car. $9,395. Selling it to me for $9,5 would be a ludicrous profit no matter how much he wanted to meet his goal of cars sold for the day. He said, after showing me an itemized bill of what they put into the car (general maintenance, etc), he offered me $10,500. Dad called Mom and she was on her way over. I got to drive it, then after a few tough questions from Mom, we decided to buy it.
My first car is a BMW. I’m still in shock.
Granted, it’s not really *my* car. It’s my Mother’s car, she’s just letting me drive it. 🙂 That’s good enough for me.
I feel more comfortable in a $10k 1996 than I would in a $30k 2002. It’s still safe, it’s still stylish, it’s still a fabulous car to drive every way you look at it, but I won’t be driving my college education. It’s still a few thousand under what it’s worth retail, I had fun haggling, it’s in absolute prestine shape, and I’m thrilled with it.
I even got a BMW keychain. 🙂 Also, the sales manager is going to give me a wood detailing kit that he bought for his own 318i but never ended up using. That’s worth $500 right there and it’ll make the inside look even cooler. Not only that, I got a free CD, and a $25 gift certificate to the parts department so I can buy a model, or another keychain, or a hat, or whatever. It’s all icing on the cake, but it’s nice, stylish icing.
During the typical salesman babble while trying to convince my parents to buy the car, I started in on talking specs with the salesmen in the room. Mostly 3-series and Z-4 talk. They ended up laughing and said, “How old are you? We’re looking for a receptionist, you’d be perfect.” I got an application, but I can’t apply until February, when I turn 18. I really want to know how old I have to be to sell cars. I wouldn’t become a salesgirl for just anything, and I even made a vow I’d never work retail, but it’s just not the same thing when BMWs are concerned. I know I could sell any of those cars, I know them inside and out. Maybe when I turn 18 I’ll go in there in a nice business suit and dare them to quiz me. I’ll have to brush up a bit on the details, of course, but what I may lack in memory I make up for in passion.
Holy crap. I have a BMW. That’s very… odd.
Since they’ve only had it for five days they haven’t had a chance to detail the car yet, meaning fix one or two tiny dents, clean it up, vaccuum it, touch up minor scratches in the paint. So, I don’t have the car yet; I’ll be picking it up on either Wednesday or Thursday. I can’t wait! As soon as I get the wood detailing on I’ll take lots and lots of pictures.
Now I want to go get a custom license plate for it. 😀 Tee hee. I’ve been thinking about what I’d put on there forever. “DP Meg.” It’s perfect. 🙂
Hoorah! Three cheers for German engineering! But quick, hide me before my brother’s find out. They’ll be rather ticked when they find out my first car is a BMW, and they had to drive the Big Orange Monster and a grotty old Chevy Cavalier. That’s the benefit of learning to drive right when both of the other cars die. Just ignore the grease stains on my hands, I didn’t touch the cars… hehe, no, I’m just kidding. I didn’t have anything to do with that faulty starter on the suburban. 🙂