Fear not! Though the pile of trash I used to call a car still sits in my driveway eight days after breaking down, it will not be resurrected like Kenny from South Park used to be.
Friends of mine are looking at a 1996 model with 116,000 miles, whose only problem seems to be the muffler. They are planning on taking me to the shop to test drive it tomorrow afternoon. If I like it, the mechanic and I discussed the entire purchase scenario. In effect, it is a nice deal because he knows me so well, and knows I'm honest and up-front with any vehicle payments I make.
But as is always the case with purchases totalling $80 or more at a time, I approach it with extreme caution. I am losing money rapidly by constant cab rides to work at 3 AM each morning. The bus wouldn't be so bad if it were running that early, but the closest it comes to the house at that time is two miles south. So, in essence, I could afford the bi-weekly payments on the proposed car, since I'd fork that out every two weeks in cab fare.
However, I have been burned countless times before on cars. This Grand Am was a lemon, and earned a laugh from my neighbor Dawn, who said "I told you so!" Two cars before was a LeBaron, and it quit on I-94 in the middle of nowhere. And ironically, the car I wanted to get at that time (which was sold an hour before, therefore requiring the LeBaron for me) lost its transmission two miles into its new ownership.
So the bad luck I've been saddled with comes back to remind me to make the wise decision, but take a few days or so, even at the expense of those cab rides. It can be tough to trust what's built these days, especially when pre-owned. You hear about auto recalls constantly (heck, Sheila's Jeep Liberty was recalled twice in a 3-week span), and that's for new cars. Repair histories aren't always accurate, either; I have found some to be doctored.
The need is there, and the need for self-transport is urgent. But what's a few more cab rides when getting to work on time & improving your attendance record is the main concern? The job pays the bills, including the proposed car payment(s).
I can't let a sudden decision derail the orderly flow for me.
