Economic downturn

Here are the three cars that I’ve been looking at. They’re little, they’re good on gas and they’re reliable says the Consumer’s Report magazine. I haven’t fully looked into the actual specs of these three cars yet. I’ve only driven one of them (the mazda 3 on a manual transmition).

Gas prices went down from $1.19 a litre a few months ago, to $0.72 that I saw a few days ago. It’s absolutely unbelievable! I said I’d start saving for a five grand down payment starting January 2009 for a second hand car that I’d have July first, but seeing the prices going down … I may have to start looking now. I mean, I’ll be budgeting $400 biweekly for a car, and spending $58/mth on a bus pass. I guess the frugal mind of mine thought it might be neat to have a lump sum of money to hand over to one of the car dealerships, so I wouldn’t need to take a larger loan out, at work. Thankfully I work in the Financial Industry and one of the Head ‘Loan Officers’ will come with me to scope out these three vehicles… or any other car I may have my eye on in the next few months.

I don’t know how people do it. I don’t know how people can live without a car. It makes me so angry trotting around in the frigid cold during the miserable winters. I’ve turned into a little old lady — scared of walking down hill because I may fall (and the hills aren’t even that big!). I’ve been shuffling along in my big winter boots that have traction, yet I seem to always slip on a daily basis. I should pick up a pair of those things that go over your boots that pick into the ice when you’re walking. I’m sure that will help me catch the bus flying by me, while I’m running for it in the A.M. I’ve only gone since 2006 without a car, and my boyfriend used to take the bus to high school and university. I guess I’m spoiled, and used to borrowing my parents car. It’s been about a year since I last drove a vehicle. I can’t wait to go home for Christmas and use my parents car again. Independence!

Now if I was getting 20g’s more a year, I’d think about getting the Acura TSX, leather interior, heated seats, sun roof. I’d go allllll out. Now all I’ll have to do is keep my eye out for some cheap auto insurance. Shouldn’t be too much of a big deal. I’ve been driving ten years now and no reported accidents. Just sometimes flyin’ into a ditch :(

I think boyfriend is feeling the need to buy a new car as well. He mentioned to me the other day that he was looking at BMW 1 series, and Lexus’. C’MON! Don’t tell me that. I’m here looking at low–end cars. I wanna fancy one toooooo….