June 1, 2003

• An Explanation…

  
  

  I apologize for my absence as of late and for the impression that my last post must have left you with.  Everything is okay here…just has been extremely hectic as of late.

  
  

  As I had stated in a previous entry, my Mom had totalled my minivan in an accident (in which niether she, nor the other party involved were injured…thankfully).  Although this unfortunate incident came to me at a poor time (being sick with the flu and all)…the final outcome of it was actually quite fortunate indeed.

  
  

  Let me elaborate a bit on that…

  
  

  You see, the fact that my Mom had totalled my minivan meant that I was then left without a vehicle…so, to rectify the situation, my Mom decided that she was to purchase a new vehicle for me.  This, while not under the best of circumstances, turned out to be quite a nice benefit to me.   I’ve never owned a “New” car before…several “used” (or to be P.C. “previously owned”)…but never a “New” one.  So I was a bit excited about picking out and obtaining this new vehicle. However, I was also under some extremely tight time restraints.

  
  

  I suppose that given the situation and the surrounding circumstances that I could’ve very well have taken advantage of my mother’s generosity in offering to purchase a new vehicle for me and have chosen a premium (which usually means expensive) vehicle…but I didn’t.  After searching and doing a great deal of thinking…I decided that I would choose a vehicle that would be not only inexpensive (and save my Mom some money) but also ecomonically fiesable to me as well.  So I decided to get a 2003 Ford Focus SE.  This car is highly rated and is marked as one the most dependable and cost efficient vehicles on the market.  It’s gets, on an average 34 mi. to the gallon on the highway and 27 in the city…and considering I drive over 20 mi. everyday to my work (one way) and am on the highway quite a bit…I thought that this would be the best vehicle for me.

  
  

  I chose a manual tranmission (5 speed) with antilock breaks (ABS) and a traction control device to help control the vehicle better in winter conditions.  It is a front wheel drive black vehicle with charcoal interior.  This wasn’t my first choice in colors…but considering I was under time distress, I didn’t have much of a choice.  It was the only color that was available with the options that I wanted.

  
  

  I have a friend that works for a Ford dealership here in town, he was more than happy to work a deal out for me and was able to take $3,000 off of the MSRP…but there was a catch, we had to have the car signed and paid for by Monday!!  Well, considering I was being informed all of this on Friday was a bit distressing…and didn’t give me much time to “weigh my options”.

  
  

  I went over to the dealership straight from work that afternoon and looked at what was available on the lot.  I chose to stay with my original choice…and he handed me the keys to take the car home for the evening and to call him in the morning.  So I did just that.  It drives beautifully…has an incredible stereo system in it (AM/FM/CD/MP3)…and is easy on the eyes as well.  The car was listed for $16,215…but after the discounts (thanks to my friend and a few pulled strings) and taxes, titles, and licensing fees…my Mom wound up paying $13,489.68 for it.  It comes with air conditioning, power steering, power locks,traction control, anti-theft system, remote keyless entry, coded key system (so my keys cannot be copied), child locks on the doors, split pull down back seat, a spacious trunk, 2.0 liter 16v engine, tilt steering wheel, and adjustable seating.

  
  

  I don’t think that it was a bad choice…and I’m very grateful that I was able to get it…thanks to my Mom and to my friend.  I think that we paid a great price for a great car…and I’m now the proud owner of a brand “NEW” vehicle for the first time!! I will take a picture of it as soon as it stops raining here.

  
  

  Jason likes it a LOT…in fact, he said to me “Can we trade?”…I think that’s solely based upon my stereo system…haha.

  
  

  I was very stressed this past week…not only due to the vehicle situation…but because of work as well.  I’ve been beyond swamped and so has Jason.  Neither one of us have had much time to do much of anything as of late…and that includes spending time with each other…unfortunately.  This is a situation that we both are eager to rectify.

  
  

  He drove down to see me on Friday and took me out to lunch…it was his only day off last week.  I went and visited him yesterday at the bookstore…so we’ve been attempting to see each other even though the circumstances haven’t been accomadating. 

  
  

  Thanks for your comments…and concerns…but, it’s not as bad as I guess I made it sound.  I do apologize for that…but as you can see, we are okay…just having to deal with life’s little problems.

  
  

  Take care m’dears….and I WILL visit soon…I promise!

  
  

  ~Maria

  • 3:24 pm
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