yrmencyn | Car update / notice of absence

Good e'en, all. Thought I'd update on the car situation, despite the fact that a nagging little voice in the back of my head tells me that doing so will jinx it and cause it all to end in tears. So, I've been driving my sister's car around, yes? Even back and forth to Austin. It's a serviceable machine, but I have been really chomping at the bit to get my own car, instead of driving around her car (which is bigger than I'd like, and made in these United States, a negative in my list for reasons of mechanical dependability and performance). This weekend is the likely end-point of that chomping.

queenmargot,

rnbowpixy,

schatiekech and I are all going on a car-buying trip this weekend.

If the moons align properly, I'll be buying a 1999 VW Jetta from a Toyota dealership in Plano. There are many opportunities for this to end in ruin, of course. I already found another likely car prospect (also, coincidentally, a Jetta) in the metroplex earlier in the week, but when I inquired about it I was told it had been sold the day before. I'm very much hoping this damn car doesn't poof the same way in the 36 hours (ish) between now and Saturday when I'll be there. Of course, even if it doesn't, I've never seen any image of this car. I've looked at the Carfax report (provided free by the dealer, cool), and I've asked questions about its appearance and condition, but it could turn out to be garbage, and I have to be prepared to walk away. On the other hand, let us focus on its positive points: Jetta! Sunroof! Pretty! Good mpg! Good price! Clean Carfax! It's also a manual, which is really neither a negative nor a positive for me. I can drive stick, but I've never owned one. Gas mileage is better if you drive it right, and standards can be kinda sexy. They can also be maddening when you're juggling phones, drinks, and foodstuffs, like a good American.

In addition, there's also a random variable floating around, as there often is. Malcom Doan, the guy I bought the Corolla from, went to an auction today, and he told Mom he'd keep an eye open for Corollas, Civics, and Accords in my price range. He's going to call her tomorrow to tell her if he saw anything good. While I have a little bit of an automotive crush on the Jetta, Doan Autos is still definitely a possibility.

Also, I'm looking forward to showing the girls Nacogdoches. I know I high-tailed it out of that town as soon as I could after I graduated from high school, but I'm actually quite fond of it. It's not a bad little town, and it has some interesting things to see. Plus I've been having an El Chile Picoso craving for a while now, and I hope to assuage it. (El Chile Picoso, also known as "the taco shack," is a 24-hour Mexican eatery on South St. If it has closed down, I will cry bitter tears.)

So anyway, I'll be away from the computer for a few days (I say that, but I might bring ye olde laptoppe). Hopefully I'll return in a different car, woohoo!