Saturday, November 8, 2008

From Helga

Let's just say you were adamantly opposed to the purchase of a new car. Let's just say you had never owned a new car in all your born days and you kinda - a little - scorned the pretentious people who did -- not me of course. I don't go to judgin. So it would not be me. I am speaking hypothetically of course. I just have a FRIEND that thinks this way. And I am askin for her. Dear sweet Helga.

But for argument's sake, let's just say that you were opposed to new car buyin cause you felt like as soon as you drove it off the lot, it's value diminished and you would be MUCH better off buyin a slightly used car and driving it till it literally fell apart.

For example, let's say that 10 years ago, when you got your first teaching job...you went and wheeled and dealed and got yourself a gently used SUV with less than 15,000 miles. Like this was BC -- BEFORE CHILDREN. And you bought this car with the dream of filling in with lots of fruit from your loin. And then it got crazy and you kept it cause it was PAID for and suited your needs and your forth eleven spawn.

Then let's continue this hypothetically saga and say it now is almost 12 years old and it now has 198,500 miles on it. And it has been a WONDERFUL vehicle, but she needs a rest.

And now that this fictional character, Helga, will be commuting over 2 hours a day and the check engine light is on in her current gas guzzlin SUV...she is ready to spread forth her wings and open her line of credit (uhm....hello? Dad???) and purchase a NEW car.

Now don't go judgin. I have done my homework...I mean this HYPOTHETICAL PERSON has done their homework and this person can get the employee discount on these cars with her new job and with the GREAT warranties that are in place with her gettin a new job and her husband being out of town so much, are VERY appealing.

And although they are BOTH still SUVs, they still get way better gas mileage than her current gas-aholic. It is in the 12-step program. Don't go to judgin.

So it is narrowed down to these two -- and PUH-LEAZ do not bring up the minivan to this pretentious fictitious being. Cause she has narrowly escaped the judgement of her husband and and pleaded and begged and promised her womanly wiles in order to not drive a minivan - not yet.

And she has also promised she will drive this vehicle until it sheds it skin and the doors fall off and it dies from glitter and puffy paint and lipstick fumes. Or if she gets a six figure job -- whichever comes first. So I will be driving it for QUITE awhile. -- I mean the HYPOTHETICAL person will be driving it for QUITE some time.

So which would you choose....

The Buick Enclave... The Mazda CX 9

Both get the same gas mileage, have the same amenities, the same interior size blah blah blah. The Mazda is about 3k cheaper....but had only a 3 year warranty as opposed to the Buick who has a 4 year.

Check it our and let me I mean the fictitious character your opinion.

Amen.

She and I are very close and I will pass on your suggestions to her. She will appreciate it so much and will give you a big pink fuzzy heart with glitter kiss for all your help.

xxxooo,
CG's Hypothetical Fictitious Friend -- Helga

29 comments:

feather k said...

I think Helga must have been the one wanting the mullet wig...right? because it would be so hot in the Mazda...that's my suggestion...I like the look of it better and I think you...er...Helga would look so sporty driving to her new job in it..plus it looked like the rear view mirror is a little bit bigger so there would be more visual space to apply Dr. Pepper lipstick...

Anonymous said...

Get the Buick if Texas Tech wins tonights game, get the other one if Okla State wins.

Crabtree huh?

- @austincom on twitter

Marchelle said...

just do eenie meenie miney mo.

i like them both.

Jenifer said...

I like the Mazda. Buicks seem a little old lady to me. Sorry Helga! I just got a Toyota RAV4 and we love it and the gas mileage isn't too shabby. I think the RAV is about the same size as those two. And new cars are so much fun! And the smell sooooo good!

Paige said...

Mazda.

Scrappy Girl said...

Ummmmmm....not sure...I say forget good gas mileage and get yourself an Escalade like mine! So fun! LOL!

Jen said...

I am all for the Mazda. Mazda is a funner vehicle. Buick to me screams old lady. That is just my opinion cause gma's usally own the buicks. So, I am all about the zoom zoom.

Faith said...

Zoom-Zoom, baby!!

Linda said...

I sooooo agree! Bigger mirror, better quality, awesome styling. Oh yea, Helga will look bitchin' in a Mazda.

Anonymous said...

Please follow the link below. This advice coming from a girly who is debt free paying off 48,000 in 18 months. We will continue to live like no one today so we can live like no one tommorow!!!!
Lots of love....

http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/cms/why_buy_a_used_car_5153.htmlc

Sarah said...

I will support you on the NO minivan. I myself refuse on that one as well. I've said I'll walk or drive a compact car before I do the minivan thing. (Just my opinion)
I used to have a buick they drive great, but when that warranty is gone they can be very expensive to fix/repair. That was the main reason I got rid of mine. Plus if the interior stuff is the same you'd look good on your daily commute in the Mazda. I would want to know how much they cost to keep up/maintain after the warranty is over.

@meintweet said...

Tell Helga we want to sell our minivan and ask if she is from Germany cuz i used to live there.

Lo said...

okay, i've got some wisdom to spread to helga bc of COURSE i am wise like yoda and all.

if you are dead set on one of these two, go for the mazda. you do NOT want a buick. trust me, NO NO NO. it will NOT run for a long time. those cars break allll the time.

take my advice and go check out Lexus. seriously. bc they NEVER have problems. ever!!!! seriously. they run to the ground, they're comfortable, sleek looking and in your price range. you get way more for your money. TRUST ME. i drive an es330, a 2004, and i've driven it for 2 years and i've had NO PROBLEMS. my family is a huge lexus family. my husband owns an auto body repair shop. pleaaazzzeee just go check out the RX330. PLEASE. please! with a cherry on top!!

edie said...

All I want to know is color. You might be worried about gas mileage now....but pick the wrong color and you could be mighty regretful. I say white. 'Cause my current gas guzzler is white and my dream BMW is white. And since we must have been separated at birth....I say white.

Cathy said...

My first test... throw the kids in and let them roll around and push every botton, flop every seat, count cup holders (this is very important to a year old). If the little ones can't get the seats up or down or can't kick the back of the seat in front of them (just kidding) May sure the cupholders have break away option or your will have broken cup holders cause a family of five needs atleast 15 cup holders.. also think about the stray kids that will soon be tagging along. 3 kids plus 3 friends equals suburban in my life..

good luck and I hope you find what you want. Cathy

Dreams of a Country Girl said...

edie -- i think it is called tricoat diamond white...it is like white but with a touch of glitter. it had my name ALL over it.

Anonymous said...

I was a new car hater too, but then we bought a used suburban that didn't have very many miles on it, and the used car wrath began. Constant problems!! We traded it in for a new shiny white suburban. Can you say GAS GUZZLER!! It's almost paid off, and I'll be guzzling gas for many years to come. sigh.
p.s. - I like the mazda!

MauritaMason said...

I'm only saying this because my father is no longer with us: a GM product will haunt you. Go with the Mazda.

Anonymous said...

Mazda. Fo sho!

Anonymous said...

I believe in Honda and Toyota vehicles. But check out the Lexus. If all fails, go with the Mazda
Good luck
gramps

Anonymous said...

I believe in Honda and Toyota vehicles. But check out the Lexus. If all fails, go with the Mazda
Good luck
gramps

Smart Mouth Broad said...

I don't know "nuttin bout buyin no car" but I do know you should never say, you will "drive it til the doors fall off." Because then they do. I said that with my last car and the darn doors fell off. *sigh*
I got a convertible out of the deal so I guess maybe it wasn't so bad afterall but still.

These Are The Days said...

I'd get the Mazda. But I will say having owned a minivan before my current Yukon...I miss the minivan. Don't get me wrong, the Yukon is a nice ride but just not built for the little guys. Minivans are so practical and convenient, I regretted getting rid of it the next day. Oh, if only they weren't so ugly from the outside. Listen to Edie, she's wise beyond her years! Good luck.

HiHoOhio said...

write them down 10 times each, out them in a hat and pick one and drive away HAPPY!

The Queen of Everything said...

I love CATHY!

Zoom zoom zoom....

Lesa said...

I say Mazda. I had a Ford Escort way back when and it had a Mazda motor in it. I drove it forever! All I ever did was change the oil in it and it lasted forever. Great gas mileage too. So I am a little partial to Mazda...

Anonymous said...

I buy American cars - my husband drives a Toyota that will not die with nearly 300K miles. The Sequoia is big, roomy and safe for kids. I'm a grandmother (Pippi)- I drive a red 300C Chrylster upgraded to the max, with a Hemi engine in it. I can do 0 - 60 in seconds. I love, wouldn't care if it got 12 miles to the gallon. When my Trailblazer SUV bites the dust, I'm buying either a Ford Expedition - all the upgrades - or a maxed out Escalade. I want the
3rd row seat to recline with a push of the button. So buy what you want, buy a new car with lifetime warranty - bumper to bumper - since you drive cars to 200K miles. My husband likes white cars too - they don't look dated on colors when they get old. I like color to my cars. How much advice can CG take on a Monday?

The Kelso-Winter Family said...

mazda for sure. 3K is a lot of savings. in this economy see if you can get it down even further... OR an extra year on the warranty. but keep this in mind, even if the transmission went in the 3rd yr. you could buy a rebuilt transmission for less than $3K and you'd still be ahead. (FREE advice)

Unknown said...

Hi there! I found you via someone's blog, but can't remember! I own a CX-9 and love it and I am very surprised that I do as I was not looking to buy a Mazda or even sit in one, but my husband found this and insisted that I try it! So, hope that helps. Stop by sometime and say howdy!

Paige