# Chateau de la Tobler

## Sunday, October 28, 2007

### I'm BA-ACK (or, The Van Saga)

Sorry I've been out of the loop for the last several days. First Ezra was sick. Then, in the ways of family, Gideon got sick. Then, naturally, I got sick (Thursday night wasn't to be believed). This particular flu-bug is NASTY contagious, let me tell you. I know of two families that we definitely infected (Telima and my friend). So, Ezra's birthday "party" got canceled--he, however, didn't care. He loved all the phone calls he got that day and the day after, thank you all! We spent FAR too much time looking at vans on Friday night, and liked the one from the private seller, but didn't like the one from the dealership. (Let me tell you, never look at a "EX"-type (extras) Honda and then go look at a boring, regular old Dodge. The Dodge will NOT compare favorably. Poor thing.)
So on Saturday we woke up determined to buy the private seller Honda Odyssey. Except it was, um, Saturday, and all banks and credit unions were closed. We had this great idea, though--our credit card sent us checks with a 2.99% APR for 14 months (and 9.99% thereafter). (The credit union was only going to give us 6.5%.) Would the private seller be willing to take our credit card check?
Um, no. His bank told him they'd have to hold on to the funds for four to six weeks before the check cleared. Wow. Don't blame him for not wanting to sell to us on Saturday. And since Bradley was leaving on Sunday night to go to Canada for a week (indeed, he just walked out the door), we kinda wanted to get this done now, so I can take the van to Las Vegas while my husband is in another country.
So I found another dealership, this one dealing in Honda lease-returns. Most of their inventory was out of our reach, but they had a 2002 Honda Odyssey with 97,000 miles for $9900. When we got there and asked about it, though...another couple was taking it for a test-drive. ARGH. Well, we decided to wait. And wait, and wait, and talk to the couple--really nice people--while they tried to decide--it was a little steeper then they were thinking, they only have one kid so far, they're not 100% sold, but it's SUCH a nice car--and then--after 90 minutes--they decided no thanks. And then we jumped on it and yelled "DIBS" and glared possessively at everyone else who walked by.
Not really. But we did buy it. With a credit card check, no less. Hmmmm. Never thought I'd buy a car with a credit card. Truth be told, didn't think you could do that. But we want to pay it off in a year and half, anyway, so it's all good.
So...the van:It's beautiful on the outside and all, but let me tell you, beauty is found within. It has SO MUCH SPACE. Behind the backseat, the floor is lower by about 15 inches. You can fit a folded double stroller in there, and it doesn't take up anymore space. And the legroom in the front! And the POWER sliding doors (on both sides)! And the included DVD player! And the removable captains' seats (middle row). And the cruise control. And the CD player. And the...okay, you get the point. I'm mildly infatuated.
Ezra loves it. Mercy loves it. Gideon is confused by it. Bradley hasn't really gotten to drive it yet. And this Momma adores it.
Anyone want to buy a slightly lonely 2001 red Ford Focus?

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