My stomach turns upside down a little when I think of how much money I spent yesterday. It’s all good, though, because now I have car ($2400 :gulp:). Registered in my name ($182). With insurance ($160 semi-annually). I’m thinking of it as a humbling experience. I’ll have to spend the next week and a half pinching pennies (until my paycheck is in the bank NEXT Friday), but I have a car. My own, little car. It was the most money I’ve spent on any one thing, but it’s exciting. It means I’m growing up a little more each day. (Hey, just because I’m married doesn’t mean I’m completely grown up–I have a lot of growing/learning to do!)
You know what was a great feeling? I did it all by myself, mostly. I paid for the car, I registered it in my name (with my husband standing close by for support, because I’m not even kidding, I was nervous), and I got my own insurance. It was a HUGE step, as well as a huge risk, but I believe it was worth it. I’m going to love my little ’98 (thought it was a ’97, but the title says ’98!) Honda Civic (2-door, black) just like my first car when I was seventeen (which also happened to be a Honda Civic, ’92 4-door, may she rest in peace).
The girl I bought it from left the air freshener in the car. While it smells lovely (tahitian vanilla), it’s not me. I can’t wait to make the car my own by adding small touches. Warm vanilla sugar. Maybe some nice seat covers (or new seats entirely [one day], though the interior is already in decent condition), and my own CD player (since it just has the radio now).
And even though I spent my savings yesterday, it felt great while filling the car up with gas this morning. Nineteen dollars to fill up? I can handle that.
(So, what should I name it? Maybe I should take a few pictures when the weather is nicer.)
UPDATE
I actually have a picture of the car from the Craigslist ad that I saw it on … So, here you go! (It might help when thinking of name ideas. I’ll try to get better ones later on. Oh, and no worries! That’s just a reflection on the hood; nothing wrong with the paint.)
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Congratulations! Weird how growing up rocks and sucks all in the same day huh?!
Well, I am just so excited for you. I know spending all the money sucks, but it is so worth it. You got the hard part over… now it’s just the regular little stuff. And you don’t have any payments!
Hmmm… will have to think about the name. I need to name my car! I’ve had it almost 3 years and no name haha. My old car, a ’99 Corolla was called ‘Rolla…. not very original lol.
@Elizabeth: Definitely! It’s all very exciting, though.
@Tiffany: I thought about naming it Willow Bell (I told Josh that’s what I want to name our daughter, but he won’t go for it) … Not sure if it’s a good name for a car or not, though. Opinions?
Is it going to be a boy or a girl??
@Alana: A girl, I believe.
Wow, congratulations! My car is bought off (I had been paying on it for almost 9 years) but it was in my dad’s name, so it’s not the same. Hopefully I’ll be buying a new car sometime next year or the year after.
Congratulations! That’s so exciting! Having a car is a huge deal, we downsized to one car last summer and it’s been a real adjustment, but a positive one for us. At the same time, I had a beater Honda for a long time and I miss her sometimes!
@shannon: It’s a huge difference! My first car was also in my dad’s name, and this definitely feels much different.
@Kyla Roma: It is a huge adjustment! Husband and I have been sharing a car for a couple years now, and it was becoming difficult. Plus, I really wanted something that was my own … and Husband is glad to have his car back!
The funny thing is that I was actually thinking of Bella haha… I think it’s a great name
Fantastic new blog layout. I really need to self-host and get a cool layout and etc. Must add to list of things to do.
Great car. I love Hondas! I have an Accord and it’s just the best car ever. And having something your own, that you found and did all by yourself is pretty awesome, huh? I didn’t officially have a car in my name until 2007 and it was really exciting. Though I was nervous too to deal with insurance, titling, taxes and blah blah blah. Congratulations! As for a name… hmmmm. I’ll think on that =)
Re: Update – She’s so pretty!! Great find!
Congrats on the car!
Congratulations! That is such a great car! Spending that much money is exhausting hey, but in the end it’s so worth it. And it must feel great to know you bought that all by yourself!
Congrats!!! That looks like an Enrique to me… you can call him Quique for short!
Thanks so much for spreading the word about my design site! I hope to have it up and running mid June. I have so many design projects lined up that I can’t get to even MINE in time! How crazy. But good crazy. Keep ‘em comin’!
Congrats! It’s beautiful. I’m a Honda owner too. I can’t believe your insurance is so inexpensive. I’m jealous.
@Ashley: I just have liability, so that may be why. No way I’m paying for full coverage!
I named my Mazda “Lisa Mazda” — if you can tell me where that’s from, you get a cookie — and still haven’t come up with a name for my new car, a Pontiac Sunfire. It’s too sexy for a name.
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