My new Toy-ota

In the U.S, the end of the year is the best time to hunt for a car because that's when most dealerships offer incentives and price breaks so that they could meet their year-end budget. We have talked about switching my car for a better one, for various little hypothetical reasons.

While I absolutely love my 2005 Hyundai Elantra because it is versatile, easy to drive, fuel efficient, great A/C, excellent visibility and the right size for little me (plus I can spot it from far away because of its' striking blue color), it does have its' cons.

1) The check-engine light has been coming on for no reason. But it goes off after a few days. We think the gas cap might be the culprit or it may just be dirty gas.
2) Car pulls to the right. Twice it was because of a nail in the tire. But after fixing that, it still does that even after sending it for alignment.
3) Not so fun to drive on road trips because of the noise factor and bumpy suspension.
4) Not practical if we were to have kids/kid.(no Child seat latch)
5) Poor crash rating.
6) Car depreciates fast.

So we went scouting. Honestly, I was hoping I would not find anything so that I can keep my blue thang and not have to put myself through listening to those vultures car salesmen.
We tried the Fords, Toyotas and Hyundais. And narrowed down our choices to the Hyundai Elantra 2008 model (yes I still love the Elantra), Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4 and Toyota Corolla LE (or the Altis in Malaysia). Although I would love to have a smaller car like the Toyota Matrix but I have to remind myself that I am not single anymore and the Matrix would not allow me to haul luggages, stuff from Lowes or maybe baby strollers one day.

Did more research and more sleepless nights and we were finally down to two - Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla LE. We drove them again and got to keep them for 2 hours. But I still could not make up my mind. (It is not like buying a dress or a pair of shoes)
We managed to get a good price for the Toyota which put it in the same price range as the Elantra that we were looking at. We wanted something that would allow us to make the same monthly payments as our existing Hyundai.

While the Toyota drives a lot smoother and has a great pickup, it did not have all the bells and whistles of the Hyundai.(satellite station, extra compartments, pockets behind the seat, volume control on the steering wheel, blue tooth capability).

But I would like to keep this next car for the next 100 20 years or so. And the Toyota definitely holds its value better and is more fuel efficient. (can go up to 40 mpg).

So the Toyota won.

I had only 10 minutes to say goodbye to my blue thang. And I actually cried. Yes I can get sentimental.
I know I will love the Toyota (I don't even have a name for him yet. What do you call something that is gray and the color of ash? without sounding too depressing) and it will grow on me and I will get used to the gray color.



Farewell my blue thang....

Another nail

My car has been pulling to the right for some months now. I've been meaning to send it for alignment but haven't had time to look into it. So since it was due for inspection and a service, we took it in today. We usually take our cars to this place just right next door to Jason's office because he can drop it off in the morning and collect it after work.

Turns out it wasn't the alignment that's been causing it to pull to the right. I have a nail in my tire. Last year, around this same time, I had a nail in the same tire too.
Coincidence or jinxed?

Window shopping

Last week, we saw the new Hyundai Elantra on the road and it looked really nice so tonight, after dinner, we decided to drive to the Hyundai dealership to check it out since we did not have anything else to do.
We tested it and drove around and I must say I am impressed! It is much more silent, smooth, more horse power and the doors are solid. It is a little wider than the old one. The interior has also improved. But what caught my attention is this little hook on the passenger side at the bottom that pops up and you can hang your handbag/purse there. Now, that is one smart invention because my bag always falls over when I take a left turn and I end up dumping everything out on the car mat and I have to grope around looking for my cellphone and office doorpass under the seat.

But we are not ready to trade in my blue thang yet.

How to get a FREE Oil Change

My car is due for an oil change and I discovered this Amazing Auto Center through the weekly ads. They were close by and they had a coupon. So hey, why not, right?

They told me to bring my car in at 9am and I did. The guy there said they did not have a suitable oil filter for my car and he made a call to order it. He told me it should not take long as the company who is going to deliver the oil and oil filter was only 10 minutes away. Mine was the only car there so he worked on it and rotated the tires.

After 30 minutes, he made a call again and rushed for my oil filter.

We wait....

After one hour....

Wait some more...

Guy makes another phone call.

Clock ticks.

Another hour goes by...

Guy makes another phone call. Sounded angry this time.
Puts phone down and apologizes to me for the wait.

Another hour passes by...

Oil filter and engine oil arrives! Finally!!

Oh but wait!! Wrong oil filter!!

Guy cusses and tells them to rush back and get the correct filter.
He tells me these people are ridiculous!

Almost lunch time.
So I called the husband to see if he wants to meet me for lunch. I also needed to get out of that propane smelling hole.
We grab a burger nearby.

Husband drops me off at the Auto Center. I see my car parked out front. Good sign.

Guy hands me my keys and refused to let me pay for the oil change. He apologized for having me wait 3 hours. And I did not even complain about having to wait that long. I know my history of bad luck at any Auto place so I was expecting this, or something even worse. Atleast this guy did not make me change my wiper blades.

I tell him I'll come back next time.

Next time, I MUST remember to bring a book!!