A Ride to Remember

Getting your first car, I believe, is always a memorable event.  However, some acquisitions come with tales to tell.  I mean, not everyone is simply gifted a car, and buying a car is a pretty big acquisition.  There are many facets of car buying to learn so that you, as a buyer, get a good car at a good price.

Jozsef, in his quest for his first purchase, spent at least a good month doing research for his big buy.  In addition, he spent several afternoons kicking tires and taking cars for a spin to get a feel for what he wanted, and then checking that desire with what he could afford.  When he narrowed the possibilities significantly, Jozsef began to zone in on the few models that were good potential buys.  John was a coach through the majority of these lessons, and I chimed in where I could.  Towards the end of the search, I was called in to fill a gap when Jozsef had an appointment for a test drive that conflicted with John's work schedule.  At this point, Jozsef had narrowed his search down to two vehicles.  He knew the price of purchase and insurance for both (man, insurance for a young driver is insane!) and he had done his fair market value research.  Jozsef was excited to have made it so far in this journey and he was ready to make a deal.  However, he wasn't sure which car he was leaning towards, however, we were certain that a test drive would help in the decision process.

On a Monday morning, Jozsef and I drove to the first lot to look at a Chevy.  This car was kind of exciting because Jozsef had spotted it on the previous Saturday and when he called to inquire he learned that the car was just acquired and that he had first dibs on the test drive.  I'm still adjusting to the test driving process out here.  I'm so used to test drives requiring a copy of my driver's license, a representative handling the keys for me up until the last second, and that same representative coming along on the drive.  But here, wow!  Here, cars are kept on lots unlocked and often with the keys right there in the ignition.  To take the car out for a spin, you just have to wave at a representative and holler, "I'll be right back with this one!" and off you go.  It's amazing and somewhat refreshing, but is still shocking to me.  So, we hollered, buckled in, and drove off.  The ride was smooth and the car looked good.  Nothing raised a red flag of concern.  When we returned and checked in with the dealer, he said he had yet to even advertise the car because it was so new to the lot.  We told him we were interested but that we wanted to discuss it more before we made a deal.  We agreed that we would let him know the outcome of our discussion by the end of the day.  Then off we went to the next lot for our second appointment.

When we arrived at the second lot, I was already leery.  Not all used car lots are created equal.  This one didn't look shady, but it felt wrong, and although the name of the lot should have been exciting and fortuitous, it rubbed me wrong that the name of this lot was the same as a car lot in a Christian movie that we had enjoyed.  Still, I had agreed to the comparison, so we set out to compare.  The Jeep we were there to look at was a fun and sporty car.  However, there were things that caught my attention that I wasn't happy about--all the seats were stained, the rear defrost seemed to have a loose wire, and there was a collision center sticker inside of the glove compartment.  Hmmm...but Jozsef was ready to take it for a drive so when the attendant greeted us, we said we were heading out.  But the car didn't start.  The attendant had us try a couple more times before he assumed that the battery had died and said, "I can fix that!" and he ran off.  Jozsef and I exchanged glances.  Before we could say much, the attendant came back with a portable battery charger and set out to jump the battery.  After three failed attempts, we said we'd look at other cars.  He pleaded with us to give him a chance to fix it.  We were certain it wouldn't start so we agreed.  Just when we were headed over to our car to leave, the attendant got the car to turn over!  Jozsef and I hesitantly got in the car to take it for an ever so quick drive.  After the attendant cautioned us not to turn the car off, we were on our way.

We had plotted out a short circle on the streets that would give us a quick drive and offer us a kind way to say 'thanks, but no thanks".  As we drove, we took notes on what worked and what didn't work in the car.  There seemed to be an electrical issue since we couldn't get the fog lights to work and the hazards required four attempts before they went on.  Abruptly, I realized that there was very little gas in the car and we decided to go straight back to the lot.  We had to make a U-Turn to get around the median and head back.  No sooner we made the turn, the light turned red so we stopped.  And then, just as the light turned green and it was our turn to move, the car just died.

Jozsef and I just looked at each other.  Did the car really just give out?  Yep, it was that moment when you take a car out for a test drive and it up and dies on a main road.  I reached for the hazard lights, and thankfully they turned on.  We were one car length from being in the middle of a busy intersection and in the third of four lanes.  We wouldn't be pushing the car out of the way.  I asked Jozsef if he happened to have the number for the dealer and he said he did.  Jozsef placed a call and explained that we needed help. The dealer said he was on the way.  We were just minutes from the lot, so we figured he'd be there pretty quickly.

Right after we made the call, the dash board starting lighting up.  We couldn't help but to laugh!  How crazy was it that we were in that predicament?  We didn't sit long before a police car arrived.  The young officer approached the car to ask what the problem was.  I said, "Oh you know, it's just that moment when you take a car out for a test drive and it simply dies".  He burst out laughing and said, "Obviously this won't be the buy of the day!'.  He was super sweet and we talked and joked while we waited for the dealer to show up (the officer had no shortage of jokes for our situation).  At one point, as he was taking down the VIN number of the car, he quipped, "Wouldn't it be awesome if the car was stolen?" and he giggled as he went to run the VIN.  We laughed!  This was obviously entertaining for him even though our stall meant that the main road was already backed up for at least four miles.  Yep, just like that, and yes, that fast.  As a matter of fact, it caused such a commotion we got a second squad car to join us.  :-)

Not long after, the dealer showed up, in a different car from his lot.  He parked behind the squad cars and proceeded to fill the car with gas.  As he did, he was questioned by the officers and we over heard that the car was not even registered in our state.  That tickled Jozsef and he said, "Wouldn't it be amazing if we uncovered some car ring or something?"  HA!  Umm yes, and no. :-)  After filling the tank a bit, the dealer said he wanted to look under the hood.  Jozsef released the hood and the dealer began to inspect the battery.  The officer had asked the dealer for his license and when he produced a thin photocopy, apparently provided by another state, the officer raised an eyebrow and said, "You know I'm going to run this" to which the man nervously nodded.  He was visibly uncomfortable and Jozsef and I were intrigued.

The jump worked and we were able to get the car started.  After a few seconds, the gas gauge lifted just a bit and the lights on the dash started to go off.  The hood was secured and the dealer said he was ready to go.  The officers stepped aside so he could right his car in the way of traffic and we all thought he'd park again.  But he didn't.  He drove off.  Through a red light.  The officers exchanged glances.  Then they looked at us and raised an eyebrow.  The dealer kept driving.  Through another red light.  The officers exchanged glances again and one said, "Just start keeping a tally".  Jozsef and I tried not to laugh too loudly.  Dude ran off!

The officers asked us where exactly the lot was and said they'd follow us there.  The dealer had left his gas can in the road and his license in the officers hand.  Yes he did!  We drove to the lot to get our car and the police were right behind us.  We were kind of surprised to see the dealer parking as we drove up.  Jozsef and I agreed we'd get out as quick as we could.  We parked the Jeep and walked across the lot to where our car was.  We tried to discreetly wave goodbye and say thanks to the officers and they were questioning the dealer.  As we walked by, we heard one officer telling the dealer how unwise it was to have driven off without his license.  We tried to leave, but our car was boxed in.  We had no choice but to wait for the police to leave.  They must not have found anything compelling, because they gave the dealer a warning and left.

Jozsef and I tried to get out of the lot quickly, but it was too small to maneuver out of easily and we ended up talking to the dealer before we could go.  He was visibly disturbed by the whole situation.  He began by apologizing and then tried to flip it on me by saying that I should have noticed that the gas was low.  I laughed and told him that I had noticed it and we headed back after the realization was made. However, my observation didn't help since the battery died.  At that, the dealer backed off and went back to apologizing.  We said thanks for the adventure and we left.

Over lunch, Jozsef and I rehashed the event and could not stop laughing.  It all felt so crazy.  :-)  But it was all truly apropos.  Actually, I learned that it was an answer to a prayer that Jozsef had made that morning.  Being young and inexperienced in car buying, Jozsef asked God to make it clear which car he should buy.  I would say he received a neon sign. :-)  And not only does he have a testimony of answered prayer, but he has a great story to tell.  :-) #allglorytoGod  Needless to say, we got back to the dealer with the Chevy and made arrangements to buy that car.

The winner is a Chevy HHR

Jozsef  made a deal with the man to bring the car price down enough to afford a thorough detail (there was a lot of dog hair, but not a significant smell, in the car) and the papers were signed.  He's been spending the last week or so cleaning, fine tuning, and personalizing his new ride.  It's been pretty exciting and we are so thrilled for him.  He made a great first buy and this car should serve him well.  Congratulations, Jozsef, on taking yet another giant step towards the independence of an adult male.  :-)