Guess What I got???!!!

a new car!!!! Yes, I finally bit the bullet and did it.

I had been thinking for quite a while about a new car, however they are SUCH a total waste of money (and I hate spending money!!). I do also get car envy, which I can rationalise and say how silly I am but I did think a new car would be a good idea as the dear Astra was getting a bit smallish for all our stuff, especially with Michael and Jemma's stuff!!!!!

So I had been searching Carsales.com.au for ages and did my homework as to what car I wanted. My pick was the Toyota Kluger as it was a 7 seater. I wanted an occassional 7 seater for friends or when Alex & Troy came somewhere with us to save taking 2 cars. It happens occassionally & I really wanted this option. I also considered the Holden Captiva, Hundayi Santa Fe, Honda Odyessey, Ford Territory etc etc, however I liked the Kluger the BEST!!! and it had brilliant reviews and my mechanic said we couldn't really go wrong with a Toyota.

In checking prices, getting a newer model (eg 2years old) was totally out of my price range for any of the above LOL I was TOTALLY dreaming that I could have that. So I decided to check out older models - CVX (which were in my price range).

Anyway, to cut a long story short there was a car at the local Toyota dealer. It had been bought there and then traded in. Always serviced there, fairly low KM's, in beautiful condition for a 5yo car, never gone off road etc. PERFECT!!! So I checked it out last Friday as Michael was off kindy as he was really sick with gastro. I was so tired of the poor little bubba whinging that I decided to go and have a look (he loves going out and about & totally stopped grizzling whilst we were out and about). On the Saturday I went back (without Michael) and took it home and Greg checked it out. We decided to buy it.

So, GOSH I HATE SPENDING $$$$$ but I am now the owner of a yuppy 4 wheel drive car LOL. It is beautiful to drive and there is heaps of room etc. I am very happy but our mortgage is a fair bit heavier for it, but I paid cash. I worked out that if I got a car loan it would have cost about $7K MORE for a depreciating asset - NO WAY - better to withdraw the money we have paid in advance on the mortgage and pay cash.

I traded in the Astra, after I researched that it takes some time to privately sell your cars (a friend was having problems selling his), so I just traded it, which is probably lazy but I didn't really want to muck around.

Now poor Greg has to build a carport for the Kluger (we pronounce it the kglug - er). It should last me quite a number of years I hope.............well, at least 10years - fingers crossed!!!!!

I really am not a car person. I look after my cars but I don't really value them or love them like some people do (but I did get car envy as I wanted a more suitable car to my needs). Well I have the perfect car for our needs now but I still hated spending the money on something that will only go down in value over time - but that is life (and it is a beautiful car I must say!!!) - at least I didn't pay $50K for it!!!!!!!!!

Oh what a feeling...................................