Changes...

Yesterday, I have to admit was a pretty productive day. After my morning hours for the Y I got home and go ready to hit the road with my other half for Nashville/Franklin TN. I only had a very small window of time for - car shopping.

A little background - I bought my first car on my own last year and really didn't have anyone local (or in the country) With car knowledge willing to help me out despite me asking for it. It was (and still is) a great first car, but not the most practical for me working full time as oppose to maybe a high school student and new driver. I had a Honda Civic 2 Door Coupe and with a dog, well now two dogs and with the things I have to carry back and forth for work it was more of a hassle than convenience to have my car. Also even though there were on 67,000ish miles on my car, because of the year it was made, the longer I held onto it, the more upside down it might make me to try and trade it in and finance a newer car. Thus began my search.

I knew I wanted to upgrade to a four-door sedan. I was pretty stuck on just wanting to find a newer model used Civic, but with more research and a little push and insight from the man I opened up to other type of cars within the same class. These were my restrictions; no red gold/tan exterior, less than 50,000 miles, 2006-7 or newer, less than $19,000 and good fuel economy. Pretty strict, but reasonable and realistic. My goal was to find a car I would be comfortable with for more longer terms and that I could more than likely pay off within a decent time frame. I started my research and searching online, partly because i didn't, and still wouldn't have the time to go dealership to dealership and was informed it would be best to purchase fr the Nashville area to cut down on the chance of being ripped off...which 45-50+ miles away depending on dealership location was definitely not feasible for frequent visits. Last weekend we went out to Nashville to search some and check out a couple of the cars I found online; and even after finding one well within my preferred price range for financing along with a very generous appraisal on my current car I decided to go for it - it was a no go. I tried not to be so discouraged or upset, I had a feeling this particular used dealership would be hard to work with because they limit their financing relationship to four banks/companies but I loved the car I had found - I thought it's perfect the color, the make and model, the mileage, THE PRICE was outstanding for this particular car - but just like every aspect of life, all happens for reasons unknown to us at the time but those reasons are revealed to us later...

So after deciding I would just wait it out and take a break it was only a couple days later C saw a commercial on TV for a new dealership offering even more for any trade-ins than what my car was appraised at. I spent the next day or so looking and requesting information on a few used mods of different cars but after talking directly with a sale individual on the phone he convinced me to check out the new 2011 models of their cars in the same class as what I was searching for. I said I would check it out and he was sending me some web links to learn more as well. Your thinking - how in the heck can a brand new car still fit within my price range?? Well I was surprised as well and nervous because even just three years ago I wouldn't have considered this car even C said before he wouldn't consider the car but was very impressed at the advances and improvements and it was a good car. I was shocked - he used to
call these cars pure trash and now he was suggesting we test drive one and check it out.

So that's just what we did, and after an extremely impressive test drive as well as learning about the car and cool features and mpg ect...I decided to let them appraise my car and see what the numbers were and make a decision from there - to wrap up a long story I drove off the lot in a brand new Black 2011 Kia Forte with 15 miles on the odometer.

I am very pleased and satisfied with the car we found, and I'm confident it will be worth the investment. I know in years last Kia has been considered "crap" for lack of a better word, but the new Kias have been rebuilt and redesigned to be much better car. We actually learned that the designer for the Kia Forte used to work in Audi's design department, and I am quite impressed with the results for an economical and affordable car now on the market.

The ride home in my new car was pleasant and enjoyable despite me racing the clock for work.

And to end my day, after my afternoon shift I came home, we ran an errand to petsmart, I came home and made some dinner then fell asleep by 9pm ... I was bummed later cause I had stuff I planned to do before bed but I guess that will now just be all on today's to-do list.

...be mindful and respectful; an acceptance of an apology doesn't grant trust, don't over step too soon. Some things might still be raw with lots of skepticism..but just as the title I believe people can change if they truly choose to...


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