It is easy to think that the MEN in your life should be the ones to help you take your car to the shop. The MEN can have a good old boy conversation and you will get your car back quicker and for less money.
I say, nope.
I do all the mechanic stuff. I've got a guy. (I don't have a girl mechanic, but I would love to say I have a girl). Actually I have a few guys. I have the oil change guy and the harder repairs guy. I have the window ding guy and the guy with the computer-thingy to plug into the car to make the engine light stop incessantly blinking. And if I go somewhere and feel like the mechanic is not making a connection with me, I don't go back. It's ok not to go back.
My mechanics are helpful and cheerful. They enjoy the car banter. They really want to take care of the car and me. They take time to explain what is going on and show me the corroded part. I nod. I don't understand, but they give me enough info to process why the bill is going to be what it is.
Best advice I can give to women is to find the garage who can help YOU. Use referrals. Ask on Facebook. Leave a garage you don't feel comfortable at and find one who welcomes you. You don't have to use the import garage, or the dealer garage. Find the independent mechanic who loves what he does and smiles when your car pulls in. And for the best deal? Pay in cash.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Small car minimalism
The small car. Two doors. Tiny trunk. Small cupholders.
I have gone all minimalistic in my Audi A4 Cab.
After having many large, throw 4 golf bags in the hatch vehicle, get the chocolate lab in the back and two car seats, I am now reduced to a zen approach to manage my car life.
Going to the driving range? Kids, pick two clubs. Thats all we can fit.
Dropping a box off at the post office? Do it now, 'cuz otherwise can't get my child in the backseat.
Grocery shopping? 4 reusable bags fit exactly in the trunk. Choose wisely at the store.
It has been refreshing to not buy 'that rug' as I know it won't fit in my car. It is calming to realize I can say no to energy sucks as I don't have the space. Costco? You are dead to me.
Everyone should try a small car once just as everyone needs to have gone camping. It is a form of "roughing it" that leaves you feeling balanced.
I have gone all minimalistic in my Audi A4 Cab.
After having many large, throw 4 golf bags in the hatch vehicle, get the chocolate lab in the back and two car seats, I am now reduced to a zen approach to manage my car life.
Going to the driving range? Kids, pick two clubs. Thats all we can fit.
Dropping a box off at the post office? Do it now, 'cuz otherwise can't get my child in the backseat.
Grocery shopping? 4 reusable bags fit exactly in the trunk. Choose wisely at the store.
It has been refreshing to not buy 'that rug' as I know it won't fit in my car. It is calming to realize I can say no to energy sucks as I don't have the space. Costco? You are dead to me.
Everyone should try a small car once just as everyone needs to have gone camping. It is a form of "roughing it" that leaves you feeling balanced.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
I Now Have my Smooth Jazz Lounge
It was crazy how intensive this search became. With two vehicles up for lease within 2 months of each other, the "what do we do now" factor for vehicles was like a chess match. I wanted to give up and knock the board over, but my patient and determined husband wanted me to find the car I really wanted. Which was hard as I wasn't clear on what I wanted.
I knew I wanted red leather interior, and I love a nice sun roof. I also care a lot about seating, enjoying all the power positioning I can get. And heated seats. And a sporty engine. And it has to be cool without being too obnoxious. Oh wait, now I sound obnoxious.
And I wanted to spend less money a month.
So here it is, my new car that is more smooth jazz lounge than british cool.
The Audi 2005 A4 Cabriolet.
I knew I wanted red leather interior, and I love a nice sun roof. I also care a lot about seating, enjoying all the power positioning I can get. And heated seats. And a sporty engine. And it has to be cool without being too obnoxious. Oh wait, now I sound obnoxious.
And I wanted to spend less money a month.
So here it is, my new car that is more smooth jazz lounge than british cool.
The Audi 2005 A4 Cabriolet.
Megan listening to a little smooth jazz
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Mini Cooper: Wrong car, right salesman
As I am searching for a new car, I am running into a frequent problem. The wrong car or the wrong salesperson.
I had a great match of a salesman at the Mini Cooper dealership. He was accurate, to the point, energetic without being pushy. He really wanted me to like the car.
Unfortunately, I didn't.
The test drive made my head hurt. The suspension was too tight, and I felt like a mom trying too hard to be a rally car driver. It truly is a fun car that will give you an exciting driving experience.
The Mini is like a cool edgy British bar where they name the drinks as puns (the 007 Goldfinger -made with 7up and Goldschalger), and everyone on the waitstaff has a meaningful tattoo.
Sigh. I wish that was was me right now, but alas it is not.
I need a car that can be my sanctuary, a calm oasis of leather and moonroofs, and a little navigation.
I need a car that is a smooth jazz lounge where the lighting is calming, they serve Prosecco in hand blown stemware, and the staff gives meaningful eye contact.
So where do I find that?
I had a great match of a salesman at the Mini Cooper dealership. He was accurate, to the point, energetic without being pushy. He really wanted me to like the car.
Unfortunately, I didn't.
The test drive made my head hurt. The suspension was too tight, and I felt like a mom trying too hard to be a rally car driver. It truly is a fun car that will give you an exciting driving experience.
The Mini is like a cool edgy British bar where they name the drinks as puns (the 007 Goldfinger -made with 7up and Goldschalger), and everyone on the waitstaff has a meaningful tattoo.
Sigh. I wish that was was me right now, but alas it is not.
I need a car that can be my sanctuary, a calm oasis of leather and moonroofs, and a little navigation.
I need a car that is a smooth jazz lounge where the lighting is calming, they serve Prosecco in hand blown stemware, and the staff gives meaningful eye contact.
So where do I find that?
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Car shopping
My lease on my Honda CrossTour is up in 2 months.
For the first time in a while, I am unclear of what I would like to do next.
I am very fond of the car I have, but then I think this.....
If I live to 80 and starting driving cars at 16, that gives me 64 years to drive. If you get a car every 5 years, that is about 12 cars average. I have had 9 cars registered in my name.
So, I am doing the math......
and I am absolutely going to get the car I want.
For the first time in a while, I am unclear of what I would like to do next.
I am very fond of the car I have, but then I think this.....
If I live to 80 and starting driving cars at 16, that gives me 64 years to drive. If you get a car every 5 years, that is about 12 cars average. I have had 9 cars registered in my name.
So, I am doing the math......
and I am absolutely going to get the car I want.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Punch Buggy
You know the game....Punch Buggy Red! And then you unexpectedly get punched in the arm.
My kids thought the game was hysterical. But to a focused mom of two kids, the game was horrible.
There is a "don't hit your sibling" rule in my house. So they would punch buggy me.
It always startled me and I felt like they were going to make me crash the car.
5 years ago I said no more punch buggy, find a new game.
So my kids came up with Square Car. Anytime they see a Honda Element, a Nissan Cube, or the like you get a nice gentle squeeze on the arm.
Square Car is the 21st centuries Punch Buggy game. Rules are simple, so go play!
My kids thought the game was hysterical. But to a focused mom of two kids, the game was horrible.
There is a "don't hit your sibling" rule in my house. So they would punch buggy me.
It always startled me and I felt like they were going to make me crash the car.
5 years ago I said no more punch buggy, find a new game.
So my kids came up with Square Car. Anytime they see a Honda Element, a Nissan Cube, or the like you get a nice gentle squeeze on the arm.
Square Car is the 21st centuries Punch Buggy game. Rules are simple, so go play!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
What Mercedes has that I need
Location: Oak Hill Country Club, Rochester, NY
Reason: PGA Championship
Car Sighting: Mercedes
The last major of the year was sponsored in part by Mercedes. And could you tell.
Every official car was a gorgeous sleek new Mercedes.
As you entered the course, there was a showroom full of new models, interactive displays and good looking salesmen and women in purple golf shirts.
Here's what they had that I needed: There was a man there whose only job was to continually rotate wiping smudges of the vehicles. We hopped out of the drivers seat, and he was there to wipe the car doors, check the steering wheel for errant fingerprints, clean the glass from any residual moisture as we inhaled and then exhaled the new car smell.
If every Mercedes could come with an anti-smudge protection package like these do, they may be on to something.
Reason: PGA Championship
Car Sighting: Mercedes
The last major of the year was sponsored in part by Mercedes. And could you tell.
Every official car was a gorgeous sleek new Mercedes.
As you entered the course, there was a showroom full of new models, interactive displays and good looking salesmen and women in purple golf shirts.
Here's what they had that I needed: There was a man there whose only job was to continually rotate wiping smudges of the vehicles. We hopped out of the drivers seat, and he was there to wipe the car doors, check the steering wheel for errant fingerprints, clean the glass from any residual moisture as we inhaled and then exhaled the new car smell.
If every Mercedes could come with an anti-smudge protection package like these do, they may be on to something.
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