BACK ON THE ROAD

posted Tuesday, 20 December 2005

I'm back on the road again, riding high in my new 2005 Toyota Rav 4! After test-driving nearly every small SUV on the market, along with several of the sport wagons, I settled on the cute little Rav 4. The negotiations were a little tiring... and my car dealer was quite the character. I nearly walked and drove out to a PA dealer to buy it... but realized that there are some perks that dealers give you if you service with them and I might as well be close by.

My favorite obnoxious comment from my dealer came as he was trying to push a red 4x2, with beige interior.... I explained that I have a black dog and would strongly prefer the charcoal interior... and would take a car that was black, red or blue. He commented that it shouldn't matter what color the interior is... wasn't I planning to clean it after the dog? Well, duh... I'll clean my car, but not every day. He then suggested that I buy the beige interior car and get seat covers from Walmart that I could even just throw out when they get dirty (they only cost $8)... but who wants seat covers in a brand new car? and the seat covers certainly do not cost just $8.... I finally told him that if I was going to spend over $20k on a new car, that I shouldn't have to settle or explain my preference for a dark interior...

Anyways, we finally found a black 4x4 with gray interior... sounded like we'd be all set. They'd be installing a sunroof & heated seats (I really wanted heated seats, but most dealers only have the option with leather seats... and I don't want leather...). As I was filling out my credit application, the dealer returned... commented on my monthly salary... and asked if I would adopt him (just another example of how inappropriate this guy was!). I couldn't believe it.

Anyways, it's good to be back on the road again... I must admit... I do feel a pang of sorrow when I pass a cute little VW cabrio on the road these days though....