Why do I always feel dirty when trading in a car?

This took me 2 hours and 45 minutes. I don't think that is terrible. But the sales person needed to get home to her kids. The finance guy had 4 people behind me. The trade in guy had plenty of time. I think that we spent over an hour "negotiating." It's done now and I think I did okay. I actually came out better than I had expected (total sum on the line.)

 

So I haven't picked up my new Prius yet. They had to have someone drive it up from Fresno. Perhaps today they will get it here. In the mean time I am borrowing my own car! So, my trade in is sitting in my garage and it is now listed on the dealer's website for sale for nearly twice what they gave me for it. They don't even have it yet.

Only once have I been happy with trading in a car. Only once has a dealer shown me the KBB values and talked me through their reasoning to evaluate its worth. I get that this is the painful part of the buying experience. But I think this will be the last time I go through that particular experience, especially with this dealer. I'll drive my new Prius into the ground until it's worth nothing. I hope that means the rest of my life.

 

I'll read the manual. This is a huge purchase for me and I intend to enjoy every single little feature and doo dad. I got a fully loaded model 4 in white. I didn't much care if I got a sun roof but all the other stuff... I like. I decided to go with the pizza cutter wheels instead of the wider 17" wheels on the touring model. The touring wheels didn't impress me with the plastic inserts. They look nice but I don't think they are worth what they charge. Also, I favor a softer ride over handling. I'm not sure there is much a difference between the touring and regular models but that is the only substantial thing that I can point to. I also like the head up display. It may be something I eventually tire of but I'd really like to turn off all the cabin lights (if possible) and just have that on with the moon roof unobscured during those long night trips across Nevada. I love the night sky and all the visible stars there.

One thing for sure is this: I did not purchase this car to save on gasoline costs. It is priced way to high for just that. But I'm sure I'll enjoy playing the mileage game for a while.

 

I have an iPad. It goes where I go. I'll put the pdf version of the manuals on the iPad. The manuals can stay home in a closet. The benefit is that I'll be able to use the glove box for gloves. Oh... and a pdf reader has a search function.

 

I initially wanted an SUV. I've always had a truck in the driveway and I do astronomy events. It is nice to pull my little cargo trailer around to events. But I only do that once or twice a year now so I listed my driving needs and wants. I prioritized them and discovered that while fuel efficiency is important, it wasn't my top priority. High on my list was to get a fully loaded car. I've always driven the lowest model of anything I've purchased. That wasn't always my choice. Now I have that choice to make and no one can tell me what I can't have. I wanted a car that had lots of cool tech and one that would haul a minimal astronomy meet load of gear. Sleeping in a tent isn't so bad. And I think I can sleep in the car during the days when it is hot and run the AC. How's that for decreasing MPG's?

I found that the Prius has all the tech and creature comforts, rides perfectly fine for me, gets me from A to B, will help me from getting in parking lot accidents, and looks nice. After all that, fuel economy is important. And I will squeeze every drop I can. But I've done that with every car. If I wanted to do this for environmental reasons (yes I am a tree hugger at heart) I'd find a way to ride a bicycle or walk everywhere. Although it does make sense to reduce where I can.

The gear heads who do reviews tend to make fun of the cockpit. They denigrate it by calling it a storm trooper or a spaceship theme. I'm running with that. I like it. I've been a computer geek all my life and I have no problem participating in that joke. I had a great career and retired at 52. Call me geek all you want. I was sort of disappointed that the one I'm getting has the white kitchen sink covered with the black plastic (for an additional $200). I think I'll like the light moonstone interior. It's bloody hot here in the summer and black soaks up a lot of heat. Plus, the sun destroys anything outside. Now... to come up with a clever name for my car. All of my cars were named Eric. I wanted a storm trooper theme. It's too bad all the storm troopers had no names or character and only served as targets. So... starships are on my list. I also sort of like Egbert. I like a touch of self deprecation. It helps me get to know people. I tend to like everybody.