Car!

[puddingcat]

nurse_liz is being nice enough to buy my perfectly-good-but-dull Mazda 323. Consequently, I went car shopping today :D

It's soon enough after my last shopping trip that I remembered the respectable places, the dodgy ones, and the places that lied to me (Raymoor Cars in Heaton Chapel - they told me to T-Cut a red car to stop it fading, and that an automatic would be more fuel-efficient than a manual...). Unfortunately, I'm still a girl and so went for the bigger dealerships on the grounds that being slightly overcharged is less upsetting than being treated like a dumb animal - even after being seen doing the vet test*.

Anyway. What used to be Reg Vardy and is now Evans Halshaw internetted around their other dealerships and found a Toyota Celica for £6,500. Granted it's enormously red, but it doesn't appear to have faded *at all*. It's due a cam belt change, but I'm angling for them to do that before I buy it (with the argument that if they do that, I won't haggle). I'm not holding my breath, but they're also hoping to get a 12 month warranty & 6 year UV blocking paint protector out of me, so I'm perfectly happy to look interested until they've agreed to what I *really* want...

The local Mazda dealership did have a 2001 MX5 - in black - but it didn't have a hard top. If I was after a 2 seater, I'd look at Alfas or the MR2 anyway - MX5s do tend to attract the Pointless Piece of Fluff type.


So they're getting it delivered from where it currently is in the north east, and I'm going to look at it on Tuesday! Whee!


====
*Sticking my hand up the exhaust pipe to see whether it's oily (bad) or just sooty (good).

Comments

[miss-s-b.livejournal.com]

MX5 = hairdresser. Although, black wouldn't be TOO bad.

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

Nah - Mr. vulgarcriminal drives a Rover.

MX5s - especially old ones bought just so the owner can boast about having a sports car - are for blondes (natural, suicide or might-as-well-be).

[ihavecake.livejournal.com]

Swit and indeed swoo.

I must now resist the urge to peruse AutoTrader and cry.

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

I wandered to the main Toyota dealer next to EH and cried. a 2 year old Celica, 6 speed, leather upholstery... £13k. Wah!

Mind you, I got home & checked the TG info pages. Celicas aren't listed any mroe. I knew they were up to something, replacing the Starlet with the Yaris, adn Corolla with Auris. Just didn't expect it to be so soon :(

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

BRRRRMMMMMM! :o)

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

*Rubs thighs & drools*

[karohemd.livejournal.com]

There's a party down here (at Robin's) on the 7th of April, if you want to take it a little bit further. Besides, it would be lovely to see you again. :o)

[munchkinott.livejournal.com]

Oh god SHINY!!! *_* Much, much prettier than an MX5. Plus, no trade-in stigma.

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

Agree on all fronts :)

Eeee, 32 hours to go for the test drive!

[munchkinott.livejournal.com]

One thing I'm dreading more than my driving lessons/test is The Car. Not so much from the buying POV, but the trade in POV. One of my mates got some serious stick when she traded in her MX5 ('you'll be wanting a family car, madam?') and another can't take her Puma in for a service without 'em trying to flog her a 'tres girly' S-Max. *headdesk*

NOT looking forward to The Car. 'Cause I know me, I'll be quite happy with a 1.0 dumpling mobile until I feel confident enough to move up a couple of engine sizes. It's just the thought of taking a dumpling mobile in to trade up. *shudders* There's a real risk of some car dealers ending up with broken legs for patronising the Wrong Girl.

Should be less than 25hrs now? *checks watch* EEEE! :-D

[princesspy.livejournal.com]

Buy an ALFA

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

I can't afford anything that isn't a 147 or 156 :( And I really would need a garage for a classic :(

[robinbloke.livejournal.com]

MX-5's are pretty common, the Toyota looks much nicer!

[puddingcat.livejournal.com]

Hell, yes! And I trust Toyota quality more than Mazda.