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Monday, September 01, 2008

That New Car Smell

Today I said goodbye to The Green Hornet (trust me, I actually almost teared up some leaving that car -- it's been a trusty vehicle for a LONG time), and after yesterday's frustrating task of searching for a new car, we had a good day today at a different dealership and we found exactly what we were looking for: It's a 2008 Ford Escape. Not a hybrid (which was my original intention, but their cost just far exceeds our price range right now, so this is still one of the most fuel efficient models in its class, and for now, that's what I have to be happy with -- perhaps in the next 10 years, hybrid or electric cars will become more affordable). Anyhoo...we ended up going with a certified pre-owned car.
Like I said, it's still a 2008, but it does have 12,000 miles on it. Not bad. But this way, we were able to afford the fully loaded model: leather seats, sunroof, Sirius radio, V6 engine, keyless entry (almost a "must" for Jess), and all the other bells and whistles we wanted.
Plus, we were able to get the percentage rate we wanted for the financing and we are happy with what our monthly payments will be (although, admittedly, it will be weird adjusting to actually having a car payment again -- I haven't had a car payment in over 3 years).
So, it's a HUGE step up in quality from my 1998 Honda Civic (which had close to 200,000 miles on it! but again, I was really attached to that car -- took me from Canada to Key West and just about everywhere in between), and I'm practically giddy I'm so pleased with this new purchase!
Now, all that's left is the crucial decision of what to name it. So, let's hear some thoughts. It's a dark gray (I believe it's official color name is "slate" but I might be wrong), if that helps anyone. Personally, I feel like I need to drive it some to get a feel for its name, but I'm opening up the floor for suggestions as well. So, give me what ya got! What should her name be? (Yup, definitely a "her.")

38 comments:

Marci said...

Congrats- I like the Ford Escape. Hope she gives you plenty of good miles!

Wes said...

Totally awesome. She just needs a bike rack to be perfect ;-)

Wendy said...

Niiiiiiiiiiiiice!

Unknown said...

Nice choice. I looked at Escape (hybrids) this time last year. Nice small SUV.

Can't help with names. If it were mine I'd simply call it "the Escape"

Kevin said...

Nice looking car.

teacherwoman said...

Absolutely love the new car!

I remember being in college and anxiously waiting until I could purchase a new car. Now, I am hoping my car will hold out for a couple more years as I do not want to have a car payment right now. It's amazing how "priorities" change! :)

MN Mom said...

I love love love it! But I know how hard it can be to give up Old Faithful...I hope she gets a good home.
A name...umm? Here are some names of cars in my past life.
When I was a kid we had a big old dump truck we used to haul garbage to the real dump...we called it, The Bumpy-Ole.
An old lady I knew back home, during the days when I did hair, had a yellow comet and called her, Dolly.
John and I had a 1976 green Mercury Marquis and called it, The Green Machine.
Which brings me to your car...I was thinking, Mary Jane, would be a good name.

Anonymous said...

i don't know why but i first thought of wanda. Don't ask. But congrats on the car- looks like a great find!

ws said...

since all of my cars have been males, I feel I'm only qualified to name male cars. Congrats on the purchase, she looks very nice and certainly happy to have a new home.

Lily on the Road said...

Sweettttt,

I looked at that last year and ended up with a Fusion...OMG, it is gorgeous....when can I go for a ride??? Will the bar be set up??

Oh ya Wes, bike rack...yup...

Ryan said...

forget the name. It looks like you need to take it back. The drivers seat must be broken. It looks abnormally close to the steering wheel. Might wanna have that checked out.

Marcy said...

Sweet!!! I don't know about a name yet . . .I probably wouldn't be the best one to ask though. I'd probably come up with something dirty HAHAHA

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new car!

I'm no help with a name. I haven't named a car since I was 3 and named my dad's car "Lucibelle" LOL.

MissAllycat said...

Too bad it's a girl...because of the "slate" color, I was going to suggest "AC Slater". :)

Mendy said...

Congrats! It looks super nice. Enjoy that smell now. It's nice, and refreshing. I'm in a rental right now out of town, and it's got that smell even with 5K miles on it.

SavvyFitChica said...

Congratulations! We looked at a Ford Escape too! Check out my blog, we bought a new car this weekend too! Crazy...

Kelsalynn

AddictedToEndorphins said...

Wow.
She's beautiful!!!:)
Congratulations! It (almost) makes me want to get a car...Gotta finish Uni first..

keith said...

those are nice cars!! and american! good choice (don't tell my subaru i said that).

J~Mom said...

Very nice!! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! She looks real pretty.

Nancy said...

Oh cool. I love a new car even if it's just new to me. Still this is still pretty new. I think you are going to look great in it!!

Look forward to hearing the name. I've never been a namer but always enjoy others creativity!!

Hey, looks like a fun weekend. Jerry is looking slim. Has he been working at it? The pool party looked like a blast.

keith said...

this is a yellow cake with chocolate frosting warning:

ben and jerrys now makes yellow cake with chocolate frosting flavored ice cream.

this has been a yellow cake with chocolate frosting warning. please take the appropriate action.

David said...

Reminds me of a scene in Arrested Development, where the patriarch of the family, who's escaped from prison, is buying an Escape. The salesman describes that they no longer build the Bronco, since they wanted to separate themselves from the connection with OJ fleeing police in one. So the new vehicle is the "Escape."

Love that show.

Congrats on the new ride! I think the identity will be developed and earned over time, personally.

Aron said...

sooo exciting!!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations !!!! Sweet looking car.. that's a beaut !!! Awesome !!! Now, you can put a new running shoes in the trunk.

Paul said...

Car shopping is a painful experience :) At least you have a purrty vehicle now.

This car always reminds me of "Finding Nemo" when Dory(?) doesn't realize she can read and is wondering what "Esscaapaay" means. That's my poor phonetic representation of what she said. And unless you saw it you'll think I'm nuts. hahah

E said...

That's a nice ride! Congrats!

Ian said...

Obviously the car should be named Vanilla for no other reason than to honor me.

Steve Stenzel said...

Sexy beast!!!

I'm not good at naming things. I'm just good at determining the sex. And you've already got that figured out...

Jess said...

Good choice...my parents drive a Ford Escape and seem to like it!

Stuart said...

Very nice, I love that new car smell!

I think either Tom Dick or Harry or an amalgem:

Thikha

Thodiha

Ditohary

From the Great Escape! Hmm no none of those works how about Steve (McQueen)?

Anonymous said...

A great vehicle for changing clothes after a full or half marathon!

runner26 said...

Glad you found what you were looking for. Must be a relief to be done with the car shopping! I named my car in high school, but would not recommend it for your Escape. I'm sure something right will come to you in due time. Until then, enjoy the new wheels!

Anonymous said...

congrats! Looks like a sweet ride.

MNFirefly said...

Nice new car.

sRod said...

It's beautiful--but do you have to bust out a ladder to get in?

I'll see if the creative juices come up with anything catchy for a name.

Laurel said...

Nice ride!!! And a slightly used car is always a pretty good bet.

All my cars were boys so I'm not sure on girly names. I had a car named "Washington" once. A friend of mine had a "Gilligan" (an old VW bus) and a green Miata that was named "The Green Hornet" (like yours!).

I'll think about it a girl name. Enjoy the new car!

Viv said...

JESS CONGRATS! I know you were wanting a new one and it is PERFECT! So nicely loaded and Sirius I heart it! Enjoy it babe, even though your latest post of the accident worries me. Now I am all caught up with myu fav chick for SOFLO!