My First Car Is.....

BOUGHT!!!!

I actually cannot believe it! 
For £1195 I have bought a R reg, White Honda Civic.


It's a tad bigger than I would have originally wanted, but I went for a test drive in it this morning with my dad, and really liked it.
It's one I have had my eye on over the weekend, and now *gulp* it's mine!


Picking it up on Thursday as my parents are away for 3 days, and included in the price they are changing something in the engine....no idea what. A pipe or something. I'm not a mechanic!


I'm scared to be honest. I feel like I am growing up far too quickly! :(


People of Suffolk (or infact the world) get off the road. 
I now have 2 days to think of a name....

HATE second hand car dealers!!!

Just because i'm a woman!!! Doesn't mean you can mess me around!!!


So I go back this morning to the car dealership, with my offers in my head.
The car is £1295, I will start at £1150 and my highest offer being £1175. I offered up to £500 deposit right there and then on my card, their choice of amounts.......and the rest to be given in cash on Thursday when I pick it up.


Did the git budge???? Did he even blink???? Did he even try to negotiate??? Did he shit!


JUST because I am a girl does not mean that I will not go down without a fight.  The owner was not even going to budge from his figure, and so I politely said "Okay, Goodbye" turned on my heels and walked away. 6 years in a charity shop where people are constantly trying to knock down prices definitely taught me alot. 


Now, in this day and age, you would think that car sales are declining, recession and all that, people don't have the money to spend on cars. My offer was not out of the question, and for the sake of £140 the owner refused to bargain. He even had the cheek to claim that he could "Sell these cars all day". Seeing as that particular car has been there the last 2 days i've gone, he's not doing a very good job.

*sigh* 


But to me it's his loss. I gave him the chance of an instant sale and he refused. I'm very surprised he even let me walk away, without taking any contact details. Did he underestimate me? Did he assume that because I am a young girl, low budget I wasn't going to fight? 



It was a no deal for this one. There are 2 types of sales people that I hate:
1. The kind who try and get your undivided attention in a totally inconvenient situation
2. The kind who even when you give them your undivided attention, are not interested.

First time car buyer

So I am in the process of buying my first car!


I do have rather strict guidelines on what I want.
- Automatic
- Stumpy (short)
- Second hand
- I want to try and get the whole package (car + insurance) for £1500


So the hunt was on. For the last month I have been trawling through the internet, and newspapers to find a suitable car.
That seemed to lead me nowhere, so for the last couple of days I have been travelling to local garages to see what they have in stock.
I see some lovely cars, and leave the mechanics up to my dad and younger brother. Just as I like something, they say that there is a problem with suspension, or cost, or engine size. URGH, yawn. 

Today I went up to Ipswich, to a second hand garage. There, my dad pointed out a baby blue Hyundai Amica, £1295 with 6 months tax, 12 months MOT and 3 months warranty.
I liked the look of it, nice size, had a test drive in it and it felt pretty good. Of course I have now been introduced to the world of car dealers and sellers, and their pushy sales manner. Feeling a little under pressure I left (but in good spirits and saying that I would return) with the registration number and headed home to quickly look up the insurance.


Found that my cheapest insurance is £330. NOT BAD! 
HOWEVER I am terrible at spending money, I hate parting with money and I have never spent this much money on something before. 
Uneasy, we head back out again to return to the garage, armed with my negotiation skills. However, being good friday, it had closed early, bummer! Leaving me with time to think about everything, which is never good!


I am now in a right old muddle over what to do. I've been told that another buyer is coming down from YORKSHIRE, and I live in SUFFOLK, Saturday morning to view it. (not sure how true this may be)


I have roughly 12 hours to make a decision about going back......
Who would have thought buying your first car would be this stressful??!!

                                       Anyone remember these??? That's more my style!