As you all may or may not know, Lauren has been driving a 2000 Ford Focus since she turned 16. It was her first car, thanks to Albert it was totally paid off, and we were planning on driving it until either it died, or we had a baby and needed a better car. Unfortunately (or fortunately in Lauren's eyes!), we had a change of plans!
A month or so ago Lauren lightly rear-ended a Lexus SUV on the way to work. No damage to the other car, but the Focus was slightly damaged in the front and the hood could not stay totally latched. Brian and Ethan checked it, zip-tied the hood, and we went on our merry way. Then a couple of weeks later we got tickets to Stagecoach (see previous post) in Indio. On the way home Sunday night, we were on the 10 freeway, Brian was driving, Lauren was asleep, when suddenly the hood of the car flew up and smacked into the windshield! It completely startled Lauren and freaked Brian out. Brian was able to pull over safely. Luckily we were both fine, just little pieces of glass were all over us, but the windshield held in place. We spent a few minutes freaking out and then called AAA to come pick us up. We were only about 30 miles out of Palm Springs, so AAA had to tow us a little over 100 miles back to our apartment. Needless to say the damage was significant and it wasn't worth spending the money to fix when the car probably only worth a few thousand before the accident. We decided it was time for a new car...
We researched and test drove many cars, and Lauren decided she really loved the NIssan Rogue (NIssan's new crossover SUV). Unfortunately when we sat down on Friday night with the car guy trying to haggle, we just couldn't get a deal we were happy with. We went to plan B, and test drove the Nissan Altima. Lauren loved it as the Rogue was built on the Altima, and it drove beautifully. Brian worked on getting the deal and Lauren haggled the rest of the way... and on Saturday afternoon we went and took the deal they offered and picked out the car. Now Lauren has a beautiful new 2008 Altima that she LOVES!! It has the feeling of a luxury car (well, pretty much anything is luxury compared to the Focus!) and even has the Intelligent Key entry - it has a push button start! The key just has to be near the car to open it and in the car to drive it. Its awesome!
Yesterday we were able to sell off the Focus (as is) to someone who answered our Craigslist listing, and tonight we sold Albert's Explorer (also from a Craigslist listing we made). We were able to keep the money and make more than what we paid as a down payment for Lauren's car, which is great!
Now we have a new car... all we need is a new house! Here are some pictures of the damaged Focus... and of Lauren's new Altima :)
A month or so ago Lauren lightly rear-ended a Lexus SUV on the way to work. No damage to the other car, but the Focus was slightly damaged in the front and the hood could not stay totally latched. Brian and Ethan checked it, zip-tied the hood, and we went on our merry way. Then a couple of weeks later we got tickets to Stagecoach (see previous post) in Indio. On the way home Sunday night, we were on the 10 freeway, Brian was driving, Lauren was asleep, when suddenly the hood of the car flew up and smacked into the windshield! It completely startled Lauren and freaked Brian out. Brian was able to pull over safely. Luckily we were both fine, just little pieces of glass were all over us, but the windshield held in place. We spent a few minutes freaking out and then called AAA to come pick us up. We were only about 30 miles out of Palm Springs, so AAA had to tow us a little over 100 miles back to our apartment. Needless to say the damage was significant and it wasn't worth spending the money to fix when the car probably only worth a few thousand before the accident. We decided it was time for a new car...
We researched and test drove many cars, and Lauren decided she really loved the NIssan Rogue (NIssan's new crossover SUV). Unfortunately when we sat down on Friday night with the car guy trying to haggle, we just couldn't get a deal we were happy with. We went to plan B, and test drove the Nissan Altima. Lauren loved it as the Rogue was built on the Altima, and it drove beautifully. Brian worked on getting the deal and Lauren haggled the rest of the way... and on Saturday afternoon we went and took the deal they offered and picked out the car. Now Lauren has a beautiful new 2008 Altima that she LOVES!! It has the feeling of a luxury car (well, pretty much anything is luxury compared to the Focus!) and even has the Intelligent Key entry - it has a push button start! The key just has to be near the car to open it and in the car to drive it. Its awesome!
Yesterday we were able to sell off the Focus (as is) to someone who answered our Craigslist listing, and tonight we sold Albert's Explorer (also from a Craigslist listing we made). We were able to keep the money and make more than what we paid as a down payment for Lauren's car, which is great!
Now we have a new car... all we need is a new house! Here are some pictures of the damaged Focus... and of Lauren's new Altima :)
oops...
RIP Focus
Lauren loving her new car!
our first big purchase (well, technically lease) together! :)
Anyone want a ride? :)
RIP Focus
Lauren loving her new car!
our first big purchase (well, technically lease) together! :)
Anyone want a ride? :)
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