Good bye big bank account. Hello good buy - as in 2010 Kia Sedona with 20K miles and five years remaining on warranty. One owner, drives great, as close to brand, spanking new as we want (or need).
Its been listed on the Internet for well over a month, and is at a smaller satellite dealer that I drive past twice a week taking my girls to dance. DH drove it yesterday and put a deposit down. We did the haggling over the phone, well not really the haggling. I had $19K to spend, and decided I wanted to spend no more than $17K. I called and spoke to someone who happened to be the store manager (I didn't know that).
I said I knew the car had been there over a month, and I knew the Internet price was $16,895. I stated that I had $14K cash and I knew the maximum I could put on a credit card was $3K from my last car purchase. (I only did this to rack up some points for the rewards program). If they could work with me so I spent no more than $17K totale out the door, I'd consider seriously buying it the next day. I knew the safety ratings, etc, and this was my desired car. And if they couldn't do it, not a problem, I would continue to look and wait.
I found out that where I live (my suburb) isn't exactly a Kia demographics - it is more Siennas and Odysseys rather than Sedonas. Fine by me. So I pick up the car later today. 
And while I'm plunkering down money, my younger daughter competes at the highest category for the midwest championships and the teachers don't want her in last year's dress. She is upgrading to this:
So I'll take this down later today for overall privacy, but I wanted to share.
Bit the bullet and bought a car
October 25th, 2011 at 01:13 pm
October 25th, 2011 at 01:22 pm 1319548955
October 25th, 2011 at 01:23 pm 1319548991
Thanks, starfishy, she's an Irish dancer.
October 25th, 2011 at 02:48 pm 1319554129
And congrats on getting the van with cash!
October 25th, 2011 at 03:13 pm 1319555615
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October 25th, 2011 at 04:24 pm 1319559849
October 25th, 2011 at 08:16 pm 1319573772
October 25th, 2011 at 11:57 pm 1319587057
Your daughter is beautiful, proud mama!
October 26th, 2011 at 03:07 am 1319598433