Today's Project

Dear Ramon,

You seem like a nice guy. I kind of wish you were a jerk.

I am sorry, but I am my father's daughter, which means I am a car salesman's worst nightmare. I am not going to be an easy sale. I am not going to fall in love with a car and "have to have it today." I am not going to discuss how much I have to spend. I am not going to tell you if I have a trade in, a down payment, or a loan pre-approval.

I am not going to give you my phone number or address "for insurance purposes." I am not going to sit down with you for a minute. I am not going to come inside.

I am going to see if my dog fits in the new Toyota Matrix by letting her jump up into your brand-new car, muddy boots and all. She fits! Yay.

I am also going to take the car on a test drive and see what happens when I floor it (not much) or take corners a little too sharply (does it always rattle like that?)

I am stubborn and obstinate, Ramon. But be glad. I'm only the daughter. You can call my dad if you want to see how bad it COULD be. Oh, I have stories. Do you want to hear about the time he walked out of a dealership because of an $11 charge that got tacked on at the end? My apple is resting right up against the trunk of that tree.

Here's the truly sad part: I am quite sure I am not going to buy a car from you. Have you heard of CarsDirect.com? Oooh, ouch, don't wince like that. I am sure someone, someday, will come along and buy a car from you.

But thanks for the test drive. The Matrix is off my list, by the way. Maybe I will come back tomorrow and check out the Scion.