The Search...

So the search begins for our new car. This is one first that, after being together for 10 years, we have yet to experience. The process has been fun so far, but I'm not looking forward to the day we have to start the negotiating. I tend to get pissy real quick when I don't like the way things are going, so needless to say, my pissiness paired with Ben's good guy attitude could make for an interesting day. I guess now that I think about it, it's classic good cop, bad cop. I'm already looking forward to it.

Anyway, this weekend was our second trip out with our focus primarily on the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. We rolled up to the Toyota dealership, in our nice sea green minivan, about thirty minutes after they opened and had three salesman watching as we pulled up, all jocking for position to greet us first. They were all so eager, real friendly around these parts. We test drove an 09 Camry LE. It was nice, but I felt like I was driving my grandparents car. Ben liked it.

We headed over to Honda and had the same experience, this time the salesman was so close I thought he was going to open my door for me. He jumped on Ben as soon as he opened his door, I was still taking my seat belt off and, by the time I got out of the van, they were already talking business. We test drove an 08 Accord EX. It was nice, felt a lot like my old car but 14 years newer. My only concern was the firmness of the seats. My Honda killed our backs on long trips and I was worried that while the seats were firmer than the Camry they would eventually get to the point of my old car.

Today, after doing some internet searching, we headed out to look at an 08 Camry SE to see the difference. The SE is the sportier model that looks more like a young couples car than a Sunday cruiser. The car that I found online was sold last night, but we were still able to drive one to get a feel for it. Based on that, I think we've decided on the Camry SE.

Now the search begins. We've contacted our two eager Toyota salesman to have them call us when they get any 07 or 08 SE's on the lot with a few options that we are looking for and mileage that is respectable. Now we sit by the phone and wait. And of course, search the internet for any deals on craiglist. I would venture a guess that we'll have a new car in the next few months!