Off-Topic Forum

Several of you know that I've been saving up for a newer car. After seeing what I was able to easily save for a down-payment over a year (even after expensive unexpected repairs to my current car last fall and winter), I started thinking what I could get if I got some credit. With credit, I could double the money I had and pay off a car in a year or triple it and pay it off in 2 years. Since I've NEVER bought anything with credit or even taken out a loan, I wasn't sure if that would work. But time is running out! My 2001 Chevy Malibu is due for inspection, registration renewal and property taxes at the end of May. So I'd been looking for something that's about a decade newer with around 100K miles on it. I just wasn't finding anything that really fit my small criteria. I've amped up the searches the past few weeks. On Wednesday night, I got a hit. It almost seemed too good to be true. Then I went to test drive it Friday afternoon and it seemed like destiny. When I saw the car online, it wasn't even ready to be sold yet. They had just got it as a trade-in that day. When I got there to test it, they had just finished servicing and cleaning it. I was the 1st buyer to test drive it! I dealt with the salesman who actually accepted it. He said it was from a retiree and she traded it in for a new model of the same thing. She actually bought it from that same dealership brand new and they did all the servicing for it since she bought it. I drove it home about 5pm Saturday. There were 3 callers Saturday morning that were disappointed to hear that it had already sold! So here it is:

2011 Chevy Cruze (that looks nearly brand new inside and out)

69,413 miles (my 2001 Malibu has over 231K)

I put down 41% of the cost and they gave me 3 years to pay it off. I'll get it done in about 18 months. There's an extra bonus after the pictures, so read on...

I'm real happy with my new purchase. I put about 50 miles on it today b/c I had to come home for dinner after getting the keys. Then I went back into town for work. My 2nd work account is right beside the dealership. But there's another funny or ironic twist. As I was signing all the financing papers, I found out who I'd actually be paying for the car.
AND IT'S JIMMIE JOHNSON'S NEW 2019 NASCAR SPONSOR- Ally Bank!!!

Destiny??!! I think so.

The exterior pic makes it look black, but the sky was cloudy by then. It's actually a shiny dark blue. The technical color is called Imperial Blue Metallic. Still adjusting to the differences of the new car, but I'm liking it so far.

I like the look of the Cruze, thought about a newer model for my g-daughter. She has a 2013 Jeep Liberty [TY, PopPop], I have a 2009 Sport Trak Truck and my wife has a 2017 KIA Sorrento. Plus I have a Trike and a '56 Plymouth Belvidere. Own 4, lease 1. Her Jeep has been a problem since the day we bought it. That's where the Cruze comes in, sell Jeep and lease before she's off to college. I like leasing as long as you can keep the mileage in check. We'll see?

Congratulations Adam! I know your old car was giving you a lot of problems lately. 

Looks nice! Gotta love the little old lady’s church car. 

Congrats on your new car! Today makes a week since I got my new ride. I put over a thousand into my old one in March and in April I got wrecked into and had to replace it. Why does it never get wrecked before you pump all of that cash into it? lol

Exactly! As soon as I saw the mileage, I knew that's what it was.

Thanks Bob, Billy and UK. Yeah, if it's going to get wrecked, it's always after you spent some extra cash on it. I spent over $1200 on my old one late last year to keep it on the road. I almost wanted someone to wreck me. Then I could've added the insurance money to my down payment. Since it needs lots of things repaired or replaced and I'm sure the transmission won't last much longer, I think I'll donate it to the local fire department. They'll use it for training, usually for operating the "jaws of life".

Good Luck with the new wheels !

Congrats Spaz.  I drive a Cruze and love it!

Thanks. How long have you had yours?

Since the NASCAR race was in rain-delay and then later postponed, I had time to do more with both cars, after it stopped raining here too. I transferred anything I needed to from the Malibu to the Cruze (like jumper cables, 1st Aid Kit, coins, phone charger, etc.). Then I moved the Malibu out of my parking spot, removed the license plate and put the Cruze in my spot. A bit later, I started figuring out all the buttons and menus in the Cruze. I think I've got it all down now. I'm ready for a more comfortable, luxurious ride to work tomorrow. I swapped cars on my insurance instead of just adding the Cruze with the Malibu. So I've got to return the old tag before the state gets fussy about it not having insurance. A new plate is on the way for the new car anyway.