Therefore, there was no way I could really know which was the better option when my 1998 Plymouth Neon took it's latest major shit; Spend $600 trying to fix what I -thought- was wrong... only to be wrong, or have something else break later or put that $600 into buying something that runs from the impound lot.
On gut feeling (and the prospect of "anything but a god damn Plymouth") I opted to go to the impound lot.
I was pleasantly floored to find THIS CAR, in perfect running condition, seized from a marajuana-bust, for $1,200 out-the-door... I shit you not!
(1999 Pontiac Firebird 2 Door Hatch Back Coupe in Metallic Midnight-Purple)
OMFG I WANT IT!!!
There was not a damn thing wrong with it - it started and purrrrred like a kitten, it had aluminum rims and a nearly perfect body (left-hand front fender had a small crack in it) and the tags were current until 2009. It would have cost me $17 to transfer ownership at the DMV.
Unfortunately... I only had $600. I asked him to hold the car for a few hours, and went to try and get a loan... thing is, banks don't seem to think they'll make any profit off of $1500 loans with nearly half down. Add to that my being a 23 year old with a black mark on my credit (a ruling for $2000) and the fact that a lien-sale car cannot be held for collateral, apparently. I was turned down, despite having someone with me who offered to co-sign.
So when I got back to the impound lot, I had to tell the guy that I would be needing to work with the cash I had. All he had was an old rust bucket for $500...
Unfortunately... I only had $600. I asked him to hold the car for a few hours, and went to try and get a loan... thing is, banks don't seem to think they'll make any profit off of $1500 loans with nearly half down. Add to that my being a 23 year old with a black mark on my credit (a ruling for $2000) and the fact that a lien-sale car cannot be held for collateral, apparently. I was turned down, despite having someone with me who offered to co-sign.
So when I got back to the impound lot, I had to tell the guy that I would be needing to work with the cash I had. All he had was an old rust bucket for $500...
1985 Honda Accord LX Manual Transmission in Grey w/Rust
The tags hadn't been paid since 2007, so I called the DMV and gave them the VIN# to find out how much I would have to pay. The guy on the phone was sweet and cheerful and said it was showing $185, but on a lien car that could probably be worked down a little, and "if you get someone grumpy who isn't willing to work with you, ask for a manager."
I was hesitant... this peice of crap (so I thought) was going to cost me a total of $700... did it even run? So I had the guy start it up. It ran smooth and quiet, no smoke, no vibrations, no heavy exaust. But, it was a manual - I can't drive a damn stick!
The lien seller offered to teach me. He said he'd show me the basics and help me take it around the block. He seemed confident, so I sighed and bought the car, then took the crash coarse. I got about 2 blocks before I decided to coast in 1st gear down to the Target and try to find Don. He wasn't around, so I called Francis and he gave me a 45 min parking lot lesson and then followed me home.
From there, I've been reading all the how-to's that Google has provided, had 3 different people drive the car and give me pointers (Thank You!) and learning one drive at a time.
I'm actually terrified of this car... and have to force myself to take it to the grocery store, telling myself "you MUST practice... as often as possible - it will get better!" but the urge to walk and avoid the scary ass thing is strong.
It didn't help that the first time Zy rode with me, he opted to walk home with a "Don't wreck" as I got back into the car alone. He doesn't seem to understand that I am my own worst critic and although I'm too prideful and headstrong to advertise my insecurites person-to-person, I am aware of them and from him... my honey... my husband... my lover and friend... I need comfort - not hard knocks.
A sincear "Hey... you're only bucking it a little - at least you didn't stall it!" would have done worlds for me coming from him. (I honestly think that knowing the terminology of "buck" and "stall" 3 days in is worthy of merrit.) I don't know why I need to hear that kind of stuff from him when I already know it, but I have this... phycological reaction to his skepticism.
It does more harm then good because I already KNOW that I'm high risk to drive the car into a ditch, or rollback into someone, or stall in the middle of an intersection, or wear the clutch, or throw a belt by putting it into the wrong gear at 55mph on the freeway when I'm trying to upshift from 4th to 5th. I know I could eppicly fail, and it's my responsibility to learn what the fuck I'm doing and take things slow and logical in the mean time. I know! I don't need to be told in a cold, faithless manner with that undertone of "you're going to fuck this up."
I also know Zy well enough to understand where he's coming from - that if all I get is tough love, I wont make mistakes by overconfidence, and will learn faster and stronger and will be able to belt the triumph of having done it on my own. At least... I hope his intentions are that noble.
I'm already stressed and scared and trying as hard as I can though... I wish I could make him understand that.
All in all though, the car runs great. It's got a few electrical issues, but that's all cosmetic and my co-worker, Bill, had it roaring down 101 and purring all through town the other day, while I sat in the passenger seat listening too him point out the noises it made when it wanted to shift, and when the clutch was ready to be let off. I'm going to take it in for a tune up on Tuesday, and ask them what I need to have done to make it pass smog.
I was hesitant... this peice of crap (so I thought) was going to cost me a total of $700... did it even run? So I had the guy start it up. It ran smooth and quiet, no smoke, no vibrations, no heavy exaust. But, it was a manual - I can't drive a damn stick!
The lien seller offered to teach me. He said he'd show me the basics and help me take it around the block. He seemed confident, so I sighed and bought the car, then took the crash coarse. I got about 2 blocks before I decided to coast in 1st gear down to the Target and try to find Don. He wasn't around, so I called Francis and he gave me a 45 min parking lot lesson and then followed me home.
From there, I've been reading all the how-to's that Google has provided, had 3 different people drive the car and give me pointers (Thank You!) and learning one drive at a time.
I'm actually terrified of this car... and have to force myself to take it to the grocery store, telling myself "you MUST practice... as often as possible - it will get better!" but the urge to walk and avoid the scary ass thing is strong.
It didn't help that the first time Zy rode with me, he opted to walk home with a "Don't wreck" as I got back into the car alone. He doesn't seem to understand that I am my own worst critic and although I'm too prideful and headstrong to advertise my insecurites person-to-person, I am aware of them and from him... my honey... my husband... my lover and friend... I need comfort - not hard knocks.
A sincear "Hey... you're only bucking it a little - at least you didn't stall it!" would have done worlds for me coming from him. (I honestly think that knowing the terminology of "buck" and "stall" 3 days in is worthy of merrit.) I don't know why I need to hear that kind of stuff from him when I already know it, but I have this... phycological reaction to his skepticism.
It does more harm then good because I already KNOW that I'm high risk to drive the car into a ditch, or rollback into someone, or stall in the middle of an intersection, or wear the clutch, or throw a belt by putting it into the wrong gear at 55mph on the freeway when I'm trying to upshift from 4th to 5th. I know I could eppicly fail, and it's my responsibility to learn what the fuck I'm doing and take things slow and logical in the mean time. I know! I don't need to be told in a cold, faithless manner with that undertone of "you're going to fuck this up."
I also know Zy well enough to understand where he's coming from - that if all I get is tough love, I wont make mistakes by overconfidence, and will learn faster and stronger and will be able to belt the triumph of having done it on my own. At least... I hope his intentions are that noble.
I'm already stressed and scared and trying as hard as I can though... I wish I could make him understand that.
All in all though, the car runs great. It's got a few electrical issues, but that's all cosmetic and my co-worker, Bill, had it roaring down 101 and purring all through town the other day, while I sat in the passenger seat listening too him point out the noises it made when it wanted to shift, and when the clutch was ready to be let off. I'm going to take it in for a tune up on Tuesday, and ask them what I need to have done to make it pass smog.
