No, silly. Not that kind of whip. I’m not that kind of gal!
Getcha mind outta the gutta! I’m not that kind of girl!
I got a new car! And one of my younger co-workers is teaching me slang words so that I’ll be hip! And whip is just another word for car.
My new whip! I’ll tell you all about it!!!
I’m the cool mom!
I AM that cool mom–and what she’s doing is the reason my grown children do NOT attend sports events with me! I’m hip! And I got moves!!!!
Anyway, the lease on my RAV4 is up next month. And my husband, in his pragmatic way, paid the lease off beforehand! Now—I’m sure many of you know that I do not place cars in high esteem. (Read my post from a couple of years ago–It’s a CAR Monsieur Bonaparte! ) They are simply a means to get from Point A to Point B. If I had my druthers and the cash to go along with those druthers, I would be living back in Manhattan in a very expensive apartment and would gladly be at the mercy of the NYC public transportation.
A roll of these is the only set of wheels I need. Unfortunately, subway tokens have been replaced with Metrocards!
But I lack both cash and druthers so a whip it is!
Let’s get back to the car that I traded in. Shall we? There was some damage to the right side of the car. I did not think it was bad but apparently it was bad. I was sideswiped by a moving truck on the Schuylkill Parkway coming back from Philly. It was a hit and run and I couldn’t get the license number of the mutha who hit me.
I didn’t think it was that bad–but apparently it was.
When I got out of the car I did notice scratching on the front fender and later noticed more scratching on the right side of the car. I’m also legally blind in my right eye and all my auto mishaps have happened on the right passenger side. Bonaparte had a fit when this happened and I very bluntly assured him that I, his wife, was unharmed!
To tell you the truth, I was more concerned about the mess…
…INSIDE the car….
…that would have to be cleaned out!!!
He was more upset about the cost of the repairs since the car would be traded in.
This is just another reason that I hate cars.
And as time grew of the essence and became closer to that time when I was supposed to start thinking about what kind of car I wanted I grew more and more agitated.
No! Not L8R. NOW!! It’s time to get a car now!
Here’s the great thing about a husband who is a car fanatic. He offered to look at cars for me! And my reaction was simply “Be. My. Guest.” My loving Frenchman actually spent an entire day going to car dealers and left a deposit on a car—a Honda HRV.
This was the one that I ALMOST got! But didn’t!
He explained that the car was for his wife but I had extreme anxiety over shopping for cars and didn’t like the process. God only knows what else he told the car salesman because Bonaparte came home two Saturdays ago with the Honda for me to test drive. They let him drive it home to me to test!
I’ll guarantee that my husband talked me up so that the car salesman thought…..
Be that as it may, I was rather annoyed that my Saturday of doing absolutely nothing but lounging like the princess that I am, was interrupted by having to take a test drive!
After a drive around the block and an adjustment of the seat Bonaparte asked me what I thought.
It kind of went like this:
B: “Cassee.” “Whah dew ou sink of zis cahr?”
Me: “It’s fine”.
B: “Ahr or com-feur-du-boul?”
Me: “It’s fine”
B: “Do not forget mee” “An ‘some-tie-mez I drive zuh cahr”
Me: “It’s fine”
B :“I put deposit on zuh cahr”
Me: “That’s fine”
Later on we were talking about “zuh cahr” and I found out there was no CD player.
B: “I forgot to tell ou—zhayr eez no Cay-Day play-air in zuh cahr”
Me: “Get the deposit back—I’m not driving any car that doesn’t have a Cay-Day player!”
No CD Player??? NO DEAL!!!!!!
And so, my Frenchman went back to the Honda dealer, got the deposit back and went back to Mohammed, the Toyota salesman that we’ve been getting cars from for the past ten years.
There was much negotiation. And the two men butting heads.
And in the end, I got my new car last night. She’s a cutie but I want to touch base on just what is very important to me in a car:
My new Whip! She’s real pretty! My little RAV4
- Stellar A/C. I love having the cool, crisp air hitting me in the face after my car has been sitting in a sunny parking lot or spot for a good part of the day. It’s very important—specially to keep my makeup from melting off.
- CD player. Yes! I realize that CD’s are soon going to be a thing of the past and that many automobile makers aren’t making them anymore. But what about all of us who have spent quite a bit of money over the years and have amassed quite the collection of music we love—on CD’s! They are tangible. I enjoy the process of searching through my CD’s and sliding it into the player and leaving it in there for perhaps a week or two because I’m too lazy to eject it!
- Bluetooth hath spoiled me. I love it because I can talk on the phone without holding it. That means I can pay more attention to the road. I’m serious about this. Idiots driving with one hand because they are too busy holding their damned phones in the other don’t signal, they drive slower and they are just plain rude. Bluetooth makes me a conscientious driver!
- Is it good on gas? This is extremely important to me. It pains me to spend money to fill up my car. Gas is expensive. I would rather spend the money on wigs.
And she’s got some extra too:
Little “blind spot” mirrors on the side view mirrors. Oona was hoping that my new car would have those because she thinks I’m a bad driver..
This “Beepy Thingy” that lights up if I drift over from my lane. THIS is great for when there is road construction and those temporary barriers are set in place. I have no depth perception and I’ve sometimes banged into them. This will keep my safe!
Pretty hub caps. I’m deeply shallow!
..And the CD player is there! It’s all good! And it’s so clean!
And look! I didn’t even throw my shoes anywhere in the car. I placed them in my tote bag! I don’t know how long the clean part will last but I’ll try!
And that is it. I don’t care about luxury cars nor do I car about fancy status symbol names in cars. It doesn’t phase me. But I do have to say that I’m very fortunate to have a husband who is so in tune with my disgust of automobiles that he did the dirty work for me. All I had to do was show up at the dealer and sign the papers. He’s a good man!
I’m also parking my car far, far away from the office and the other cars in the parking lot. Besides, walking from and to the car is the only excercise I get these days anyway!
My first new car selfie!!!!
So—what do you look for in a car? Do you feel like I do—that they are overpriced pieces of machinery? Do tell!
In the meantime–enjoy one of my favorite songs by The Cars–Drive!
I love it the car is so you. Yes I still have my CD player and crank my 50 and 60 music. I drive my Chevy Silverado off road truck. Esp in WI and our winters.
I also have my convertible for sunny fun days which last a short time here!
You go girlfriend!!!
👌👌👌👌👌
Debe. I play my music at 11! It’s got to be loud!!! Really loud!! And I’m so happy that you love your CD player!!!!! XOXOXOXO
Gotta have cruise control, (I have neuropathy in my feet) sub zero AC, (I Liv in FL) power everything ( I’m lazy)
good sound system ( love my music)
Great gas milage. Automatic not a standard. Comfy seats, I’m not a teenager I’ve got a behind that wants to be comfy. Don’t care about the color, what brand it is etc.
All of that Becca–except Cruise control. I just don’t want to be bothered with it!! LOL!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I never ever write but……… when I was all done signing the papers for my lease to my beautiful Subaru Crosstrex, I was driving away and realized there was no where to insert my CDs😳. I went right back and they told me that not many cars are made now with the CD player since everyone uses their IPhone 😩. NOT TRUE!!! I will always love my CDs 😔😔❤️
Linda. You gave me the vapors! My new car is a 2018 and luckily has a CD player. That’s a deal-breaker for me. And I realize that in the future I’ll have to bite the bullet and get cyber music–but for now……XOXOXOXOXO
Oh my goodness! This post cracked me up! I love the video of the Mom dancing! That’s me too. Great selfie and congrats on your new “whip”.
Hi Jennifer! And thank you–I always try to incorporate some laughs in the posts! Isn’t that video the greatest????? I love it too! XXOXOXOXO!!!
I really am not looking forward to the day I will have to say goodbye to my beloved 14 year old Subaru Outback wagon (not sure what you call them in the US) . Like you, I don’t care for luxury or status symbol cars – I just want a workhorse that gets me from A to B safely. Having said that, I do enjoy driving so it must be a manual and I love my sunroof. Hadn’t thought about the CD player but would most likely miss it if it wasn’t there for the times when I do remember to put music in the car! I guess the only other must would be that it not be too big – I want to drive a car, not a truck!!Cheers, Sharron
Hi Sharron! Yup. It’s a Subaru Outback wagon here as well. My favorite times driving was when I was driving the kids around. I do miss that. I especially miss waking up early on Saturday or Sunday mornings to take Oona to Irish Dance Feises. Nobody would be on the road and it was just so calming and very much delightful. Over the years, though, I do notice that drivers have become more hostile and rude here in the US. I think it’s the state of our nation at the moment. But I’m with you on the fact that a car shouldn’t be too big. Those big buggers are dangerous!!! XOXXOXO!!!
hi from France ! i have a peugeot 2008 of 2017since a few months and i ve discoved i didn’t get a cd player ….but too late !!! i didn’t think it could happen !! i really miss it but it’s like that !
i love your car ,i had a RAV a few years ago and it was very very pleasant ..These days the trend is the white for cars .Mine is white too !
Hi Nathalie! Yes to the white cars. I didn’t pick it out the husband did. LOL. I remember Daniele’s car. OMG. It was so banged up from all the little “mishaps” she had driving in Paris. I say God bless anyone who drives in that city because I would rather walk. But outside of Paris, it’s a pleasure to drive!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi! Just back from two weeks in US on a road trip from Denver thro Utah,Wy, Nebrasca back to Denver 2500 miles. Couldn’t believe how cheap your petrol (gas) cost. We in UK are paying more than double. I too am an A to B girl driving a Dacia Stepway cheap as chips but love it. When got it home discovered it had no CD player Ahh. Have to listen to local radio. Love your blog and cant wait for your next one ever time. Keep up the good work.
Hi Karin. It’s so funny that you commented on the cheap price of our gas. When we are in France, I’m amazed at how expensive petrol is–but, one thing that my husband told me was that European cars go a longer way on the petrol. Do you think that’s correct?
Yeah. I definitely need that CD player. And I play that music loud. Thank you so much. I’m thrilled that you are enjoying the blog!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Essentials for me are…Is it cheap (ish) ? I always pay cash for my cars. Is it reliable? Manual, not tinny, small engine size, CD player! My current Ford was an ex company car of my brother’s. Because it had been used to visit building sites it came complete with a few dents, it’s got one more now as I reversed into my friend’s wall when I picked her up! Whoops. Not even bothering to have it repaired, that’s how much I care about cars.
I would love a Bonaparte to do the boring part of choosing a vehicle! Xx
PS Listening to Sea, Sex and Sun on Nostalgie!
Hi Fiona. Oh–the small dents and dings don’t bother me in the least. It’s Bonaparte who goes crazy over those things. Back in 1994 I paid cash for the first Altima that Nissan made and that car was great. Never needed any major work. The car went from me, to my son Jake, to my son Roman. It was a fantastic auto. I swear I would be happier back in a major city using public transport.
Hey…thanks because now I’ll have that song in my mind for the rest of the day!!!! XXOXOXO!!!
You crack me up with your car! 😊
We only have one car, a Golf Sportsvan, as hubby takes the train to work. He hates driving btw, as does my son. The things I need in my car is an alarm system, heated front seats (for winter) and side mirrors that fold back automatically when I shut the car. I also need a car that’s not too long, as parking space is always an issue. I also like a sizeable trunk, as I am always lugging stuff about, with our week end home and all. I think I was a gipsy in a former life! 🙂 I drive stick, as most Europeans, as I find automatic cars not nervous enough.
I hear you on the gas problem, but have to laugh at your prices. At the moment ours are around 1.50€ a litre, multiplied approx by 4 to make a gallon. 75% our our gas price is tax.
I actually don’t know whether I have a CD player. Music is by Spotify via iPhone or the radio.
B!! I only wish we had one car–but with the two of us commuting to work, there’s no solution but to have the two. Heated seats aren’t a deal for me because the extra layer of fat on my ass makes my seat naturally warm! I’ll tell you something. When we are in France, Vincent always rents a stick–and the reason is that I can’t drive a stick. He’s that much of a control freak but I don’t mind because he’s my chauffeur!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
My favorite feature of my new car is the rear cross-traffic warning and camera. I love, love, love it.
Oh Jean. I forgot about that one. That’s excellent!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Awesome! Enjoy your new ride!
Thanks Lori!!!! It actually rides very nicely!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Thank your co-worker for making me a cool mom too – now I know the word “whip” and I can dazzle my young adult children with it! They’ll be sooooooo happy!
Enjoy your new car!
xo,
Kellyann
Kellyann!!! I will thank her!! That’s so funny. I’ll be teaching you more words!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
I hate driving – I would rather take the bus (1 and 1/4 hours of public transport) that goes once an hour – yup you miss it you wait 1 hour for another 1 and 1/4 hours – hey 2 and 1/4 hours from civilisation. I dont exactly love the bus, but at least the busdriver takes care of muckspreaders, tractors, boy racers, cyclists, sunday drivers, tour coaches, etc etc and the bus drivers pretty much know all their regular clientele. Nor do I have to park, fill it with fuel, pay the tax, mend anything, take it in for repair or retrieve daughter from wherever.. Yup the bus wins
If they are phasing out CD players in cars then Id get a plug in CD player that Id wedge into the middle bit of the controls. All that said, your car looks really nice – our car (the husband drives) is filthy and skanky with running gear and stinky shoes and geomorphology stuff – it is like a mobile midden, it actually smells worse than the bus which is something
Hi Juliet. Oh. The Bus. When I lived in Manhattan, I took the M5 whenever I didn’t want to walk or take the subway. The bus stopped across from our apartment building and since it was on Riverside Drive, off from the busiest streets, the bus ran infrequently. I’ve waited up to 40 minutes for that ride. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…I cannot imaging any car smelling worse than bus fumes!! LOL!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
That was a fun read! Enjoy your new car!
Thank you Kari!! I’m glad that you enjoyed it!!! XOXOXOXO
TeeHee! Catherine, I hung up my keys in 1997. Jeeves 😉 has sole automobile duty from researching, to buying, to driving, to maintaining. Luckily we live in a very small town where everything is walking distance. I’m still independently mobile!
In October I took Greyhound for the first time in decades. Amtrak didn’t have anything close to Point A & Point B… loved it 🤗. Actually more fun than being cooped up in a car with a “pedal to the metal”, “I can’t drive 55”, “I’m driving strait through” chauffeur.
When I saw “…a New Whip!” I thought of a CB antennae 🤣 “…that goes twangy, twangy…”. 😎 Now I can be cool & tell Jeeves to bring the whip.
Beverly! I swear to you, I suffer from anxiety and depression simply because I detest suburban living. You need a whip to get everywhere. I miss the bus. I miss the subway. I miss walking. Cars are the bane of my existence!
And that being said, I am very happy to work with young people who teach me slang. Now I can pass coolness on to everyone!!! XOXOXXO!!!!