Buckle up, this one’s a doozy! It all began when I was working in Leeds Grenville a few months back. When it rains, we don’t work … so I planned to venture for a 1K walk to a local car dealership. Thing though, it was raining full throttle with no let-up. I even asked the front desk if anyone had an umbrella, or if there was one in lost and found. None. So sitting in what constitutes a lobby, just called to chat. Turns out, they didn’t even have a vehicle that I was looking for on lot. Sales woman was friendly enough, we chatted for 20-30 minutes, I gave her my number in case anything popped up. Later back at home when I had free time, I’d drive to dealerships looking for my car. None, again! So, I took proactive measures and called her, she vaguely remembered me, but now I enlisted her to help me find my car. We communicated via email, text, phone calls (I never met the woman), and she indicated to me after a location search, that in all of Canada, there were only 6 to be had!! Can you imagine? I knew they were hard to find, but ONLY six?! We kept communicating/negotiating for a month … oh, and this is a valuable lesson to new car buyers. It’s always good practice to do this, you’re under no obligation, and you gain valuable experience, so when you are serious, it’s like second nature. I eventually whittled her down to $775/month (if I had everything my way) for 5 years w/$5700 down. She texted me one day, apologizing about the mixup she had w/ her manager. Her last words were “I’m sorry”. Worked out good, I was done anyways … what the motherfuck was I thinking? Was crazy expensive to begin with, but shit, how stupid am I? I woulda committed myself solely on getting a great deal?!

Next came John, he was my VW man. I researched the new 2015 Golf TDI extensively, so when I called about getting insurance for my chettychevy I was thrown for a loop when I found out I had to give up my first born … or $3400/year! Are you fucking nuts?? Since, I had my insurance agent on the line, and since it took a shit-load of time garnering a simple quote for my shit-box, asked about the Golf … $3200 he said! Was right then and there, I knew I was selling the beater! John and I were good to go, we emailed, texted, talked (met too). Went in for a test drive, man-oh-motherfucking-man … that ride was SWEET!! We worked out quotes, I had everything written down that I wanted; the tint, the winter tires on separate alloys. Everything! We planned on me coming in on Wednesday. I did … was prepared to drop my AMEX on his desk and put in an offer. I also knew, the availability of my car; colour & options would take a few weeks to source, or wait to be built. Perfect. I arrived at 11:45 am, the receptionist told me he starts work at 12:00 … I bolted. I actually got a text from him a few minutes later as I was driving saying he’d be there in 5 minutes, and to please come back if I could (she called/texted him obviously). Ok, here was this particular deal I had in the works; $640/month … but get this, for four years instead of five … plus, w/ only $2900 down! Great deal … BUT, once again, what the fuck was I thinking? I did call to tell him I wasn’t coming back, not now at least … the timing wasn’t right. I told John he was my VW man, and he still is. If my world turns again, I’ll be back to see him!

OK, so still without a sweet ride, went back to where it all began. I had an affinity for Saab since the 9-3 was introduced in 1999. I’d shamelessly visit dealerships back then with nary a hope of purchasing. The salesmen knew this, yet they entertained me nonetheless. After a relentless search, I found this beauty. You can find these last-of-the-batch-hatchbacks selling anywhere from $2,000 – $3500 (much more for convertibles, Viggens)! Mine wasn’t cheap, but it’s sweet-pristine. And, get this; w/ taxes, all in … was hundreds LESS than the downpayment I was willing to put down on the first vehicle. AND, MINUS $775/month for five years to boot! Whoa, holy fuck! Finally, I KNEW what I was thinking!!

ZEN BABY