Monday, July 21, 2008

Long story short...



So this beautiful baby is mine, all mine. Wanna hear about it. Thought so.
I will make a declaration here and now: Never will I buy anything "new" again. I'm going to send out announcements soon, because Craigslist and I are getting married. I love him, and he loves me.

I researched and looked for a couple weeks til I had some good options for vans. Mitch and I drove to Spokane CASH in hand, and on the way up, we rated the 10 printouts I had of the vans I wanted to test drive. We drove our little delivery neon up there and on the way up, we accidentally ran over some Semi truck's tire tread (those guys should have to pull over and get that crap out of the road, or get a ticket!) Mitch tried to swerve but to no avail we ran over the hugest piece of rubber I have ever seen. We though nothing happened but our neon was hurt. The tread almost ripped the bumper off the car. So Mitch jimmied it to stay on using zip ties.



We went to our favorite first and drove the blue one, listing all the things we would change or fix later. This "dealership" was so ghetto, that Cody our service tech was also our salesman. We made a total low ball offer-he refused-and we told him we MIGHT be back...


So then we drove to some other cars, they were all garbage compared to our favorite. But we did come upon some drama at one car lot. We pulled up to a scene of the owner of the lot yelling at some WT lady. She was cussing up a storm and arms flailing trying to get her hands on the keys. He yelled some obscenities back and practically drove over her putting the little (trashed) white ford focus wagon back on the lot. She turned and looked at us and said "I wouldn't buy a car here!" Thanks lady, we kinda already decided that. A little skinny salesman came out and tried to apologize, no dice dude. He showed us the van we wanted to look at, but It was actually in the shop right then (uhh...nice). "Well, we MIGHT be back". The salesman slinked back into the building, probably questioning why the heck he worked there. Mitch couldn't believe what we just witnessed, but I assured him it was just another day at the hound.


(the little white focus at the far end of the lot)

Eventually we went back to our favorite and "showed them the money". This van has a lot of miles, and needed some work. But still it was the best deal. And the best thing- No payments! Since we've gotten home, the engine light has turned on but Mitch is a super mechanic and has fixed everything on the car.
New plugs and wires, coil, window washer pump, new stereo (my ipod plugs right into it), new tires, and serpentine belt. What a guy!



So, those of you who read this, be watching in the mail. The wedding for me and my new love is being planned and your "save the date" will be coming. And remember, buy us a gift from Craigslist.





12 Comments:

Sarah said...

Glad you got the van you wanted. I bet it will make all your trips to Hermiston and back more fun! Good job Mitch on being such a mechanically inclined guy.

Katie said...

Nan and Craig sitting in a tree...

Way to go guys. Wish I was there to take a ride in the beaut.

Whats the fate of the gas guzzling tahoe?

Marilyn said...

"...Just another day at the hound."

That's my favorite line!

Love you and your new blue van.

Jan said...

Here is to great wheels, great deals, and great meals. That being of course what you fix Mitch for being so awesome right. And also for being love with Craigs/list.

Bye Nancie.

dandee said...

I love the way you tell a story. Felt like I was there the whole time.

Love your new van too. Ryan's love, Dave Ramsey, would be so proud!

linda said...

I am jealous! I miss my mini van (the engine died). Now David is trying to talk me into getting a 12passenger!! NO WAY!

Mitchellaus Copernicus said...

You forgot to tell them about my 129 point inspection checklist and my clipboard. I gave each van a thorough work-over, including the "exhaust pipe clipboard test." Those dealerships didn't even know what hit 'em.

natallie said...

it's too bad the neon had to do battle with some tire tread to get you to the mini-van. and you have to tell us what kind of deal you got...that's the best part of the story. AND....if i've already got you to blog about that, you HAVE to blog about your REUNION! pictures please!!! :)

Marilyn said...

I tagged you Nan, check it out!

The Yancey Family said...

Welcome back to the Mom's Minivan Club, only the most elite can make into this group! By the way, you are going to have to fight me for Craigslist, our affair has been going on for quite some time. He told me he was going to leave Ebay for me!

Brian Adair Fam said...

You are too funny, Nan!! I'm so glad you got your m-van!! Way to go, Mitch, in fixing it all up! Once we get a house of our own, I think a good ol' m-van is going to be our next purchase! :0) I'm anxiously awaiting your announcement! :0)

Closed for Business said...

Nan, Nan, Nan! I wet my pants laughing. I agree with Dandee. I felt like I was there.

What do they call a wife has two husbands? A polyg-a-mrs? That is what you will be if you marry Craig List you know.

Paid off cars are the bomb! Well I hope not literally though. I hope to keep mine a few(mean many) years.

Good job Mitchy Boy!!!!!