Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Economic Conundrum

All this talk of a bank crisis, Wall Street panic, economic meltdown, Chicken Little "sky is falling" media buzz has got me thinking about my future financial plans. I need your help - FAST!

Since both of our vehicles have been paid off, I have been anticipating the release of the 2010 Camaro convertible (the coupe version will be released in early 2009). I had plans to trade in my car to get The Offspring a new ride in late 2009 (16th birthday) - something like a VW Bug. Or to better suit her personality, an old VW van - HA! At any rate, at the same time, as a little present for me...I was going to get the convertible. Now, before you all start thinking I'm going through a mid-life crisis, here is my logic:

1. How many times have you seen OLD folks in a convertible, and thought, "Those people are SO NOT HOT ENOUGH to be deserving of that car?"

2. I have worked hard. I deserve this car.

3. I would look darn good in this car.

4. As a little girl, I didn't have pictures of boys on my walls. (Okay, maybe one requisite photo of Shaun Cassidy.) I had pictures of cars. Concept cars, exotic cars, classic cars...I went to car auctions with my dad. Who better would appreciate this hot car?

5. I want to get this car before I'm so old that some teenager shouts at me in disgust, "That chick is SO NOT HOT ENOUGH to be deserving of that car."

6. I want an investment I can control. Who will maintain the car? Me. Not some lame board of directors or a CEO who will take the car on some boat to Switzerland to fraternize with his mistress. I WILL ADORE THE CAR.

7. I can't think of a seventh reason. Except I really, really, really, really, really (are you getting this internet?) WANT THIS CAR.

Okay. Time to talk some logic and sense into me. Or not.

Oh, wait, I did think of a seventh reason: I TOTALLY did NOT spend $5,000 per seat for the OPTION of buying season tickets for the Dallas Cowboys at their new stadium. So, I'm making sound financial decisions, right?

Let me hear from you.

26 comments:

Junebug said...

You deserve that car! I drove my mini-vans for fourteen years and now I am the proud owner of a BMW 328i and I love it.

Desert Songbird said...

You worked hard, you deserve it, and you would SOOOOO look HAWT in a convertible. After I've run my minivan into the ground, I'm contemplating what next car should be: Mustang GT, an SUV, or a truck. Can't decide, can't decide.

Richard Lawry said...

Buy the car. Someone has to support the American car industry. :)

Bethany said...

I am a financially cautious person lately. Read: worried about money!

Personally I would wait a few months to see how things shake out. But if you know you can afford it, go for it.

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

Three Words:

BUY THE CAR!

Tiggerlane said...

junebug - actually, I currently have a picture of that BMW on my office wall! Along with the Jaguar XK...OMG...hot car!

desert songbird - you would look awesome in the Mustang. There is NO decision to be made, girlfriend.

richies - terrific point! And GM is opening another US plant, so...I can help boost the economy!

bethany - I am, too - but the car...so...dreamy...I am under its spell. Luckily, I don't have to make the decision right away. I will wait. Impatiently.

bond - I knew I could count on you! Besides, what good is it to wear fabulous shoes, without being able to rock a hot car?

Anonymous said...

Do you know why only "old" people drive those types of cars? they are the only ones who can afford to...what teenager can? They are just jealous

just buy the car

Anonymous said...

Where are all the brave Fun Monday participants?! Come join in the fun - I'm lonely...

I agree, just buy the car - it's probly a better time to buy now rather than wait...

Tiggerlane said...

karymn r - you bring up a valid point...I wonder how I'm going to keep my teenager from driving it?

mommywizdom - signed up! And I think the "buys" are winning - WOOHOO!

Memphis said...

Personally I think, if you are not going to get the new Dodge Challenger 6.1 liter Hemi then you might as well get the Camaro. Either one would look hot with you inside. And anyway, the stock market hasn't done shit since the crash so you might as well live while you're alive.

Anonymous said...

Dude, if you don't buy that car, I'm kicking your ass.

Reason 7: Imagine how saucy you will look with your long hair flowing in the wind.

M@ said...

You will look damn good in that car, Tig.

bichonpawz said...

I ADORE my little two-seater....it may be an 86, but with a new paint job and customized, it's still hot! My husband's is orange and mine is blue. Go for it, Tig! I think you'd really regret it if you didn't!! Think of it as a WHOLE BUNCH of Manolos!!

Anonymous said...

When I was 20 I would see old people in a car like that and think, "They are too old to be driving that car!" Now at 35 I think, "Ride on Sister! I hope I drive a car like that at your age."

When I was 15 if the person driving the car was 35, they would be old.

DRIVE THE CAR!

Tiggerlane said...

memphis steve - if that Challenger came in a CONVERTIBLE, OMG...yes, I would do it. I'm dreaming of the Camaro...I think it should be mine.

melissa - saucy, that sounds like me! And I probably deserve an ass-kicking, one way or the other.

m@ - thank you. And thanks for boosting my ego!

bermudabluez - OMG..SUCH a good point! And a hot car will save me the miles on my Manolos! I'm actually surprised the Camaro is a four-seater. More people to look hot in the car!

vicki - you are SO right! And I am five years past old...I'm running out of time!

Occidental Girl said...

You only live once! You're not getting any younger (neither am I), why wait? Do it!

Clearly I may not be the voice of reason, but rather a perky cheerleader to indulge your dreams. You're welcome! :)

Anonymous said...

7) SWAMPY says, "Buy the car. If you don't, someone else will."

Real Live Lesbian said...

I think you should buy the car, pick me up and drive me around for a while. Then we can BOTH look hot in that car! Wowza, it's GORGEOUS!!!!

Buy. the. damn. car.

Tiggerlane said...

occidental girl - EXACTLY what I need! And who needs a voice of reason, anyway?

swampy - I can always count on you...ALWAYS!

real live lesbian - I totally agree - but we MUST wear fabulous shoes, too - am I right?

Anonymous said...

Hey Darlin'

Hopefully, this week, I'll have time to send you a little surprise. Also, be sure to check out my current post.

Unknown said...

I think you should so get that car! I was supposed to get a bug for my 16th, but mom loved it so much she kept it - so not fair. ;)

C... said...

I have heard it's a great time to buy a car because you can get really great deals since there are few people willing to risk the current economic times.

Anonymous said...

OK, totally lame but logical advice...

Buy the car. If/when you can pay cash for it. (Or at least half of it in cash!)

(There aren't words to describe how great you'd look in it :))

Have your daughter drive a vehicle that's already paid off and that you don't need full insurance coverage on. The insurance premium on a newer car with full coverage for a new, young driver can easily cost several thousand dollars per year.

With a young driver in the household, if you buy that new convertible your insurance premiums will be THROUGH THE ROOF. Can you wait until she's out of the house?

OK, off to rain on someone else's parade... ;)

Anonymous said...

Have you bought that car yet?
Just came back to see if there was a photo of it with you in it !

Tiggerlane said...

swampy - great post - and a good reminder for all.

lisaschaos - now THAT is sad. Wonder how my kid is gonna feel?

c - good point - and I wonder why I am such a risk taker...maybe b/c I am a car freak? At least I could live in it...

kila - wow! Some actually sensical logic! And I didn't think about the teenager still living at home. I plan to purchase it as a "company car," which might help. And half in cash...means I'm gonna have to work VERY HARD these next few months. Sound advice!

swampy - I WISH! However, it doesn't officially hit the market until late 2009 - so I have to wait. But nothing says I can't pre-order it.

Anonymous said...

Shaun Cassidy rocked. I had the one where he was wearing that white pantsuit.

In a few years, my minivan goes bye bye and I am getting a Charger. I might even spring for fire stripes and tags that say HOT MAMA! ;-O