Necessary Upgrades
When we moved into our house a year ago, we had to get a second car for the first time in our marriage. We’d always been able to use one before because we lived in the city and were able to walk to work or school or where ever we needed to go. But with the new house came a new job for Chris and we started commuting in opposite directions every day. We had to get a second car and we had to get one right that minute.
Our savings account flipped us the bird and so we took whatever cash we had on hand and bought Chris a run down Honda. It was a decent car – Hondas are just about the most reliable you can find – but it was missing little things.
Like air conditioning. And the windows could roll down, but they couldn’t roll back up. And the radio was busted. In the grand scheme of things though, Chris could make do.
And then in the past couple months, the Honda has gotten tired of the hour and a half one-way commute everyday to New York and so he flipped us the bird, too. He flipped us the bird right before he started kicking car parts off.
For about three weeks, Chris came home from work almost every day holding another part of his car that had fallen off. It started with each of the weather strips on each door. Those fell of one at a time for four days in a row. Then one of his rear view mirrors fell off…and we all know how Chris feels about rear view mirrors. Then his antenna fell off.
When he came in the house last week holding his muffler, we knew we had to do something. So, we consulted our savings account who flipped us off again. But this time we told him to shove it and we threw Beanie in my car and headed out to CarMax.
A few hours and a couple thousand dollars later, Chris came home in a new (pre-loved) Nissan Altima. He was so excited. And, bless his little heart, all he talked about was how cold the air conditioning was.
Now, when he drives to work I don’t worry that he’ll call me broken down on the side of the road. Which is good. Because I don’t do so good with the broken downsies. And besides all of that, now that Chris has a new car I can start my campaign for a new piece of jewelry.
Who says marriage isn’t strategic?
18 Comments
Amy V
Your post about new cars hits close to home today. I too just got a new car, I picked it up tonight!
This all came about because my 1-year wedding anniversary is coming up in a few weeks. My husband asked what I wanted, while casually mentioning that “paper” is the traditional 1-year theme. I of course laughed and said that I had my mind on something much more shiny…like a new car. Who knew he was actually listening! I guess the title to a new car counts as paper right? That is the modern/traditional theme.
Anyway, getting a new car is so exciting; I totally feel how excited Chris must be!!
Rebekah V
I too am the proud new owner of a new (to me) Nissan Altima (thanks to totaling my previous much loved vehicle). And although A.C. is on the list of things I certainly appreciate now, what topped that list was that my windows are now automatic. No more wringing my arm out of socket every time a nosy old neighbor lady feels the need to talk as I try to book it to work (already at least 5-10 minutes late).
I hope Chris enjoys his new ride…I know I am!
Erin
Yeah for no more parts falling off his car!
What kind of jewelry are you thinking?! That’s the important question!
Sandy
Sounds to me like someone was secretly sabotaging Chris €™s car during lunch…maybe Chris himself?!?! 😉
Niki
No A/C would’ve been a deal breaker for me. But then I live in the South.
Congratulations on the new car!
Miss M!
I know I shouldn’t laugh (especially because our second car is a similar situation as the Honda) but the mental image of Chris coming through the door (in my mind, with a pouty face) holding car parts is pretty damn funny.
Katie
Whatever you are imagining, that’s exactly what it was like. I laughed every single time! – Katie
Danimezza
It’s soooo pretty 🙂
Congrats on the new car
Emily
I am so jealous!! I drive an old black car with no a/c and only one window works now. I live in Florida and work in an office where I have to dress up for work so by the time I get to work my hair is sticking out everywhere and I’m sweating. I go straight to the break room and open the freezer door and stand in front of it until my body temperature gets back to normal! 🙂
naomi
nice car.
so when are you getting a nice new diamond?
Casey
No air?? That wouldn’t work at all down here in Florida! Yay for a new car for Chris! Looks pretty & new & with all its parts!
Katie
No air didn’t work too good up here either!! He was always sweaty when he got home from work! – Katie
Kate
Congrats on the new car! My husband and I only have one car too. As we’re thinking of starting a family soon, we know we’re going to have to get another car soon too.
I don’t know which my husband is more excited about — the baby or the car!
BFF, Em-ly
Oooooh sassy! I like the new wheels Brown family.
Hilary
My husband’s last car was a no-frills Toyota Echo affectionately referred to as “The Barbie Car.” He also had windows you had to roll down. Now I don’t need a fancy set of wheels but I DO need power windows. So when we bought our Honda CRV this summer, it was like driving a Mercedes. We played with all the gadgets and shoved the trunk space with as much stuff as we could just because we could. Congrats on the new car. FYI – our savings account also laughed in our faces when we told it we needed a new car. So we sucker-punched it in the gut and bought the car anyway.
Kelly
Before we got married I paid off my car. We knew that eventually my hubby’s jeep wouldn’t make it and didn’t want two car payments. Well, one Saturday night, I got into an accident (thanks to a woman who ran a stop sign) and my car was totaled. I HAD to get a new car. The next day, the hubby’s jeep died in the parking lot of the grocery store with our Christmas tree in the back. Hmmm. Well, I got a new car. The hubby had to wait and when the AC stopped working, there were puddles of water on the floor, it made a funny noise, and the ceiling started to fall in. We thought we could hold out a little longer. One hot day, the hubby walked in the door with the handle that is used to wind down the window (remember he had no AC). It had fallen off and that was the last straw. We now have a Nissan altima that we love as well!
Zoe
Ooh, fancy pants!
TeamHaynes
Isn’t it so much fun when your bank account hates you so much? I don’t even look at it because all I will see are tiny little bird flips. At least you guys got yourself a good vehicle. If you ever happen to consider another one down the road I recommend Suzuki. I’ve never heard one complaint, and I used to be a product rep for them so you know I would have gotten an earful. I would have laughed if Taylor came in the door holding a car part too. Haha