Even that new car smell can't keep me awake

So, it turns out buying a new car is EXHAUSTING. But we did it.

:)

We are now the proud owners of a blue 2007 Hyundai Entourage GLS. It's lovely. We did pretty well on the deal, not as well as some of you sharks would have (I'm sure) but better than we would have without your advice. It took fucking forever, and Tori nearly wiped out poor Sarah back at the house while we were at the dealership, but it's over.

And the best part? I NEVER HAVE TO SEE THAT STUPID SUBARU EVER AGAIN. EVER.

There are a million reasons why the minivan is awesome, but can I just gush about the cup holders? If you don't know this already, the 1999 Subaru Legacy Outback has a "pop out" cup holder between the middle air vents and the radio. Not only is it the flimsy plastic equivalent of one-third of six-pack ring, but once you put a drink in it--even a tiny, itsy bitty little Red Bull--you cannot access the radio or the climate controls or see what the fuck time it is. This, as you can imagine, DROVE ME NUTS.

The Entourage, on the other hand, has roughly 432 cup holders placed every two or three inches throughout the van so that you never have to fully extend your hand to reach a drink. OK, that's a slight exaggeration. But there are two below the gear shift, four on that cool little center "table" between the drivers and passengers seat, and the front doors both have accommodating bulges in their side bins for large bottles of water. There are an additional six or eight cup holders for Tori to use in the back seat, plus I'm sure if I hunted for it, a secure place to secure Hammer's dog bowl.

IT'S A MAGIC MINIVAN, PEOPLE.

We are so happy. And tomorrow, after we've rested, we will drive it with great joy.

Comments

[Kellie]

Congratulations! Sounds like an awesome vehicle!

[Amy in BC]

Congratulations Cecily! A brand new vehicle is a complete joy. One with tons of room even better!

[Melissa in TN]

Congrats! I hope you have lots of wonderful trips in it.

[Mrs. A]

Congrats,Cecily, and the picture of you looks fab. :)

[Nikki]

AWESOME! I know what it's like to have constant car troubles...

Congrats on your new FAMILY! van! :D

Nikki

[Dea]

YAY for magic minivans!

[andrea]

Woo hoo!! Congrats - and ENJOY!
andrea

[Laura]

CONGRATUALTIONS! I loved my ford Areostar way back in the day... till it caught fire a couple times (yeah it was one that eventually they recalled of course the recall was long after we no longer had it) but the room was fantastic! love the pic! your smile says it all.

[Lily]

Great pic, great car- congrats!

Lily

[Lisa]

Congrats!

Oddly enough, I spent six hours at a car dealership today as well -- I posted a couple of days ago that I had bought a 2007 Hyundai Elantra a month ago and they had promised to install A/C and weren't fulfilling the promise... long story short my boyfriend was sick on the couch all day today but I had HAD IT with the dealership, so I put on my fanciest business attire, a tall pair of heels for intimidation purposes (I'm 5'9" to start with) and marched down to the dealership all by myself and demanded they make me happy.

Six hours of negotiations with a gaggle of men later I drove off the lot in a new car (replacing the one w/out AC) that is actually far nicer than the one I had originally purchased. I was so proud of myself for doing it alone -- Girl power!!

[Jo-Ann]

Ahhhhhhhhhh New car smell!

Where I grew up it is good luck to put change under the floor mat of the passenger side of someone with a new car. I will have to do that when I see you. Ross told me it was a long island jewish thing.

You have to plan a road trip. I remember when El and I got our car we went on a trip right away and ooooohheed and aaaaaaahed all the way

Enjoy

[Chickenpig]

Ok, now I want one :) The cup holders in our minivan are suspiciously like the flimsy six pack rings you described, although better placed. Also, we don't seem to have good storage anywhere, so there is kid stuff all over the van. You look pretty fab in the photo , btw, and very happy! The Subaru is dead, long live the Van!!!!

[Melissa]

Congrats on the new car. My neighbors have one as well and they love theirs, too.

[jenn]

Woo-hoo! Welcome to the minivan club! I was completely scornful of the whole "soccer mom image" projected by a minivan...until I owned one. They ROCK. Road trips have magically shifted from the ninth circle of hell to an actually enjoyable experience for my family of four. Love the photo!

[Heather]

Congrats!! I know that you are thrilled. I know what it is like to have to suffer around in P.O.S. junkers trying to get to work, so I am very happy for y'all!

[Bonnie]

The rantings of a foul-mouthed liberal, feminist, fat, recovering alcoholic, mother, wife, woman and writer who has awsome skin and a great car.

[Toni]

Woo hoo! Congratulations, guys!

[Laura in L.A.]

You are one hot rockin' Minivan Mom! Who'da thought?!? :):):) Enjoy!

[Carrie Jo]

I am so glad you got a mini-van. I love them! So many people thing they're lame, but I think they're awesome because they drive more like a car than a SUV but they have way more sitting room most of the time. Anyway, congrats on your new, super-awesome mini-van!

[Abigail]

I am jealous of both your new car and your majestic nose. Enjoy!

[Christine]

I'm sure your van looks great, but, has anyone told you how beautiful you are?

I want your skin!!! (care to share?)

:)

[Melissa]

Congrats! We've got the KIA 2007 mini-van (twin to yours) this summer and we love it! I was super excited about all of the cup holders too! It's the little things that amuse me. :) Oh and the sun glasses holder rocks! Oh and the little fold down mirror to watch the kidlets in the back. Totally rocks I tell ya!

[liz]

Hooray!!!!

[Stephanie]

Congratulations! I love Hyundais- my latest is a 2007 Tucson, but I've also owned 2 Accents, which I also loved. Hyundais are awesome, still relatively cheap cars (though sadly not as cheap as they were when I starterd buying them in 2000). They've done amazing things with the quality in the last few years, too. Enjoy!

[Whitney]

LOL, the cupholders are my favorite thing in my Honda Odyssey! After having crappy ones for so long......I love me some cupholders.

So glad you got a great car!