Monday, September 28, 2009

The One with the Car

So I told you all about the husband's dreaming of motorcycles and how I would not give in. Just to let you know I ALMOST DID. Common sense prevailed and we started looking at the difference of prices when financing a car. The difference was not big enough so we started looking at cars more seriously. Seriously, he had cars on the brain. For the past couple of weeks that is ALL he has talked about. Granted, he really does need one for work. It is difficult to get around to his different jobs, to be able to go measure, etc with only a bike. Too much distance, not enough time. Fair enough.

Sidnei has a family friend in Belo Horizonte who works at a car dealership. We proceeded looking at cars they had on their lots and after several, we found one that we liked, was affordable, and a good deal. We gave all the information to finance and found out it was a go. That was Monday at 4 pm. Monday at 5:40 pm we were on a bus to Belo Horizonte. No kidding.

Arriving in Belo Horizonte about 10:30 (Believe it or not, I REALLY enjoyed myself on the bus!) and the friend was there to pick us up in our new car. To tell you the truth, I was not crazy about the car when I saw it, aesthetically on the inside there were some issues, and there were more kilometers than I had originally thought (my issue, got my cars mixed up). But I was happy enough to have a car.

The plan originally was to get the car and go back to Ipatinga that night as Sidnei had to work in the morning. Does it surprise anyone that that is NOT what happened? The car had no gas. The gas stations were closed. So Sidnei made the executive decision we would stay with them and leave at 4:30 in the morning. Let me tell you. I was NOT happy. I had nothing with me. I couldn't brush my teeth effectively. I was in a skirt and heels (because I didn't have time to change before we left) and I was all around just not happy. To top it all off, when we got to the friend's house, to look over the paperwork, we realized the bank didn't finance as much as we thought which about doubled our down payment. By this time it is 1 in the morning. This for me is a downward spiral. I was adamantly against buying this car. I was looking into the face of needing to live with my in laws for the next year while we paid off the down payment and the car payment at the same time. I told Sidnei if it was really what he wanted to do and he thought it was a good idea then it was his decision. All the while what I really mean is, Don't do it!!!!!!!

So by 3 in the morning we lay down to sleep for an hour or so. We get up at 4:15. (By the way, we found someone willing to get us some gas in the car..I don't ask) We pack everyone in the car because the friend's wife and daughter are coming back to Ipatinga with us to visit their family. Friend's wife is 7 months pregnant and daughter is 5. All of us with only about an hour of sleep. So off we go. For about twenty minutes. When the clutch goes out. Seriously. (But even better I'm thanking the good Lord because this was not the car I wanted and I knew it wasn't a good idea to buy it) We are on a dark highway with no lights, a 7 month pregnant lady, and a 5 year old. OH and did I mention no phone? Our battery died. GREAT. I didn't think it was a great idea to go traipsing down the road with everyone, but friend's wife was too scared to stay. So we all trek back to the house and make it back about 6:15.

By eight we had the car towed and we were at the car dealership looking at other vehicles. And we found one! The down payment was seriously a quarter of what the other one was, the payment is only 10 reais more per month. The car is 5 years newer, and though it doesn't have electric windows or locks, it looks better, and has less miles. I was SO happy! By 10:30 we were on our way back home (finally!) and arrived in Ipatinga about 3!

So without further ado here is our 2004 Chevy Celta!




And of course this is the first thing we did when we got home. Wash the new baby.

And we have been successfully doing things for the car EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

17 comments:

Corinne said...

our first car was a total dud too!! Now that you have a car, or can get to BH on the bus, COME VISIT!! I would love to show you around.

--Corinne

Lisa said...

Oh my! What a day you all had. So glad things went south on the first car quickly so you could find another one.
What an adventure!

Lisa Q

Betty W said...

I´m so happy for you, that you finally got a car! Congrats! And isnt great how thing just seem to work out sometimes?!

Bia said...

I used to have a car like this, but mine was black! I miss my little car...

Beijos!

Ashley said...

Oh, I thought you were going to end up with the car you didn't want. So glad things worked out and you got a better deal on a nicer car! Yay! Hope you are enjoying your time in Brazil, otherwise. I always look forward to your updates!

AkuTyger said...

Ahhhhh, you got a Celta. We had a Celta once, scraped on every speed bump and has a weak point that if you lock your keys in the car, all you gotta do is give it a good wack with your hip and pull open from the top of the window. Unfortunately, it makes it very vulnerable to break ins.

Ballerina Girl said...

oh my gosh Stephanie...such a normal way for things here! It had me laughing, but I am really happy they worked out that way! Imagine if you had gotten to Ipatinga and then it died! I am not sure the dealership would have taken it back!
Cute car, good luck with it! Be careful driving, they are nuts on the road (or at least here they are!)

BG

Fabiola said...

My GOD.... It sounds so Brazilian this story!!! I am glad you could find the car that could fit your necessities and in your pocket.

Fabiola

Stephanie said...

Corrine-- I would LOVE to come and visit! And I would love to email you sometime as well if that's okay?

Lisa- it was an adventure!

Betty- Thanks so much :) We are definitely blessed in many ways, this is just another example!!

Bia- I bet you do!! I know exactly how you feel!!

Ashley- I am definietly enjoying Brasil! I am trying to be better about updating...we'll see :) But I enjoy so much about all your prego stories and learning about LA! Can't wait til she gets here so I can see her cute face!

Akutyger- Thankfully we tried the bump trick, it doesn't work on our car. We find that if we go over the speed bumps the way they are meant to go over, we don't scrape thankfully!! And we have the privilege of parking the car inside and Ipatinga is much safer than I expected (though it does have its downfalls and unsafe areas, we feel really lucky!) We really love our little Celta!

BG & Fabiola- Thanks so much! I am finding quickly that is the way to expect things here! I'm learning to roll with the punches haha!

Vanessa Rogers said...

It looks like it was meant to be :)

Lindsey said...

Wow - crazy story! So normal for brazil though, it seems like these things happen all the time. Honestly the car breaking down probably helped you get a better deal!

Too bad I couldn't have sold you my little car when I left Brazil, I totally got ripped off selling it back to the dealer. But you would have had to drive much, much further!

Good luck and happy driving!

beijos

LadyFi said...

What a story! So glad you now have a better car - that works!

Tabitha Blue said...

Yay, I love how everything all worked out in the end, thank God!!

:)

wife.mom.nurse said...

What a nightmare...glad it has a happy ending!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS!!! But man, why do you two always have to go through so much to hit the sweet spot??!

Megan said...

Wow! What a pain! So glad that after all was said and done, you actually got a GOOD, reliable car!!

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