Starting the year with a bang... or rather, a Malibu!

I just bought a new car! :)

I have driven a wonderful Chevrolet Trailblazer for the past 3 1/2 years, and I have loved that car... however, several things in the past couple of months have started me down the road to the "this car is no longer fun" attitude. The biggest issues are that it's been having engine troubles which have been pricey, and I was going to need new tires pretty soon. In addition, I was a long way from paying off that car.

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo.... what new kind of car did I want, and how could I capitalize on the current auto crisis?

I guess it wasn't practical to get a Silver Volvo... but I really wanted one... but no, definitely not an option since I wanted my monthly payment to go DOWN.

I thought about lots of cars, and for practical and economical purposes, ended up back at Chevrolet, for the 3rd time in my car purchasing life. I went over on Sunday so no one would be there when I looked... I built my own online... I read research... I crunched numbers... I made lists of "must haves" and "can't stands"... I printed out online inventory at my Chevy dealership of choice.

I went over there and promptly overwhelmed my salesman with all of my lists, requirements, desires, wants, and don't likes... and once he was properly overwhelmed and beginning to glaze over, I proceeded to discuss the merits of my payments and where I wanted them to be and how I wanted them to take my Trailblazer and I wanted to never have any obligation to that car again (see, it was a lease, and I wasn't out of the lease for 4 more payments). After a relatively short time period for car dealerships, along with my repeated requests for the following: "black or dark grey, payment under $____, no obligation (in writing) to the leased vehicle"... I called my Dad and had him come to see the deal.

And now, I'm the proud owner (NOT LEASING) of a brand new 2009 Chevrolet Malibu, Black Granite color.

It's got every bell and whistle I wanted except leather (including remote car start which I have used for the past 2 days and is super cool).

The best thing about it?

In the sunlight, it sparkles... LOL.

come on now... you didn't think I'd make it through a whole post w/o a reference, did ya? If so, you don't know me so well!

Now all she needs is a name.