Car!!!

It's been 5 years since Karen and I have had a car, and even back then it wasn't a car we picked out for ourselves but an old junker her dad insisted we take. Since that was smashed in an accident (a huge white truck rammed it from the side, nobody was hurt thank goodness!) we've used the bus and our friend's car of questionable dependability with no air conditioning... in Phoenix.

Karen's work has been shifting her around to new buildings, all the vet trips, etc and so on... we finally caved. It's car or move, and car was the higher priority right now. So we'll be staying put longer than we'd hoped to but... OMG we have a car!!

:carrot:

Karen found a great deal on a certified used Toyota Corolla! Cute silver little thing, and we are in LUV! We can go places... do things... in 1/4 of the time it used to take us, with air conditioning!!! And music!! It's the first car we've ever picked out together, and we love it! It'll make life so much easier getting pet supplies, vet trips, Karen's work and school, everything!

Our insurance agent was so delighted that it's a corolla, since that's what she and her whole family have too! lol! Talk about a good sign. ;)

To make up for the not being able to move thing, we've rearranged the entire apt to include a snake wall/corner! Planning on bigger enclosures there, the rack, and so forth. :) So it's like a pseudo mini snake room. I am pleased!

So, life is what happens when you make other plans. We're still shooting for Portland eventually, but for now we're doing an awesome job making due I think. Things just suddenly got surreally easier. In fact, Karen and I keep expecting to have to return the car to a rental place or something it feels so unreal, lol.

I am now in the process of subtly tastefully decorating it, assuring poor trying to be corporate Karen that I will not slather it in bumper stickers, lol! Just two decals, a rear view mirror hanging, and we're good. Promise. :halohorn:

Congrats!!! It feels awesome to have solid transportation after driving a POS for years or not even having a car.

Gee no pics of the proud couple and their new car....my evening's just ruined! :( Congrats to you and Karen! Drive over to OH and come visit anytime! :)

Awesome! Must be something in the air; I just got my first personal vehicle at age 26. It is ASTOUNDing how much it changes your lfe and gives you such freedom!

I got my first one at 27. Don't know how I survived without it. Started driving at 14 or so, but took that long to afford one. I put well over 40,000 miles a year on the road now.:) Have fun with it!!

Thank you! It really does feel surreal and awesome, we kinda have to keep reminding ourselves that we have it! We're trying not to overdo it though -gas prices and all- and still walk and take the bus sometimes. Course when it's 111 degrees out... that's tough to do.

:sunny:

lol, I'm older than both you guys and it's our first. ;) But not by much!

I know, Jo, I'm slacking on photos across the board. I shall remedy this someday soon, promise! :D

If you are like me, you'll find yourself just looking out the window at it in amazement and wondering if it is really there and really yours :) I tripped over my own feet looking back at it in my work's parking lot.. hehe

Congrads! :D I'm very, very glad to hear about your first car. I demand photos, too! :sunny:

I remember what it was like when I got my first truck...the first truck that actually could be driven without worry. Before that I'd had cars to work on, but never did get them running. Anyway, it happened in November '06. Fell in love with a very pretty red Dodge. It's my baby. I also have a '73 Chevy (Scottsdale) side step pick up. That just needs an oil change, new spark plugs (getting done tomorrow!!) and then I'll have a "new" baby. I'll feel like I'm cheating on the Dodge, but it'll have to deal with it. I have to relieve the insane urge to open that Chevy up on the road! :)

What awesome news, Sheree!! :hug: I'm really happy for you and Karen...you guys NEEDED a comfortable, reliable car!!!

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Originally Posted by Rakshasi

Congrads! :D I'm very, very glad to hear about your first car. I demand photos, too! :sunny:

I remember what it was like when I got my first truck...the first truck that actually could be driven without worry. Before that I'd had cars to work on, but never did get them running. Anyway, it happened in November '06. Fell in love with a very pretty red Dodge. It's my baby. I also have a '73 Chevy (Scottsdale) side step pick up. That just needs an oil change, new spark plugs (getting done tomorrow!!) and then I'll have a "new" baby. I'll feel like I'm cheating on the Dodge, but it'll have to deal with it. I have to relieve the insane urge to open that Chevy up on the road! :)

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Those Scottsdales look awesome lifted. I saw one not too long ago; it was beefy! But at any rate, vintage pickups rock whether lifted or not.

i was carless for about 12 years... with two little kids. walked everyone... went through numerous buggies... and when i got a car... i loved it.

just remember... to walk sometimes, it's truly amazing how lazy we all get once we have a car. (speaking about myself and my family here)

oh and CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS!!!!!!

Thank you, guys! If our complex was set up so we could see the car from a window, you can bet we'd be peering out at it all the time, lol! So surreal... we're constantly resisting the urge to find excuses to errand. :D

And don't worry, Aleesha, once Autumn and Winter roll around we'll be doing more walking. But it was 113 degrees yesterday, and they say hotter weather is coming so... not a lot of walking in the summer in Phoenix, not if we can avoid it! *melts* But Autumn is a GOOD friend of mine, and when she returns I'll be happy to rejoin the outside world. ;)

Omg you guys how can you go so long without cars. Ive had one since i was 16 or should i say many differant ones none have had under 120k but i always had one. Im sorta mechanicaly inclined so I suppose that helps. I sure would like to have one with a factory warrenty though. Good luck those carollas arent to shabby

A bit excessively belated, but I finally took a couple of pics of our knight in shining armor, Pawan the Carolla, lol. We love him. :love:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uff/pawan2.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uff/pawan1.jpg

Awesome :) It is astounding how having a vehicle changes your life. I actually went through the McDonald's drive-thru for my first time alone yesterday.. :)
It is just so awesome to not have to depend on/wait arond for others. And now that I do drive, I think wow, people must have realllly cared about me to give me rides to so many places!

Beautiful little car, Sheree!! If we ever get out that way again (if it happens before the two of you finally escape AZ!) you'll have to give me a ride! :D


(Love the license plate swirly! LOL)

Congrads on the car!


I know what you mean, well, kinda. LOL

Im 17, and have been through my far share of cars already.
I had:
2000 Mustang GT (crashed it)
1998 F-150 (sold it within 2 days of having it)
1997 S-10 - manual, 5 speed, bagged (just sold her this week)
Now I have a 1987 Iroc Z28, 350 bored .30 over, 4 bolt main, turbo 400 trans. I LOVE IT! It peels out going into second gear :twisted:


http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...88068397_l.jpg

Swirlybobs are the new blurs! :P I totally owe you a ride, Judy! :D

Ginevive ~ I second pretty much everything you said, Karen and I went to see the Simpsons movie practically on a whim last Sunday because we could! We usually have to plan it out way ahead of time by the bus schedule etc. Life is good. :cool:

Very nice, Pslsnakes! And here I am just happy to have 4 wheels and an air conditioner, rofl!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MedusasOwl

Karen found a great deal on a certified used Toyota Corolla!

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My brother has a Corolla. Only it's an '06, an S, it's got a manual tranny and i bolted on a TRD supercharger. It's pretty quick, but no where near as fast as my Volvo (a lot of things aren't) Thing moves for a corolla! and it has AMAZING fuel economy!

Congrats! you got yourself a reliable car! one that's not american!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MedusasOwl

A bit excessively belated, but I finally took a couple of pics of our knight in shining armor, Pawan the Carolla, lol. We love him. :love:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uff/pawan2.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...uff/pawan1.jpg

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yeah, i know those cars like the back of my hand, thanks to my brother. Good ol' 1ZZ-FE reliability. heres some trivia: that engine can also be found in the Lotus Elise and a supercharged version can be found in the Lotus Exige.
heres my car

Click here for picture.

Mods include:
GReddy Profec B Spec 1 boost controller
K&N cone filter
Wiseco Forged pistons
RSport H-Beam connecting rods
Full port and polished cylinder head and manifolds, including a 5 angle valve job
ARP head studs
Larger Diameter Throttle body
Turbo's CBV modified to hold more boost
Tightened wastegate to provide more natural boost.
I could talk for hours about my car, but that's what volvospeed is for ^_^

PS: Did i mention it's got a 5 speed manual?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MedusasOwl

Very nice, Pslsnakes! And here I am just happy to have 4 wheels and an air conditioner, rofl!

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Thanks, Yep, shes my baby.

I had to get her out of impound this morning. Been there from friday night.

toyota carollas are awesome cars. i have an '88 manual (5 speed) with 180,000 miles on it and it still runs like a dream. 35 miles to the gallon ain't too shabby either nowadays. gas prices in chicago are awful. it's usually around $3.20-3.30, sometimes higher. it's gonna be 20 years old in april and the only problem is that the body is rusting a bit. but toyotas will last for a long time if you take care of it. congrats on the new car!

I guess I'm not the only one that just got a new car :D

In 02 I bought an 01 Ford Explorer Sport.. 5 years later it started getting crappy so I traded in the Exploder for a family truckster, 07 Dodge Caliber(ours on Jul29!). Man, 4 doors are nice when you have a car seat!

..just wanted to try to be an example for "younger" dads that might think it's cooler to pay a lot more for a car that might be impractical.. like a Mustang(or something) :D Go with cheap and great gas mileage!