New Car

Joel picked up his new car yesterday - he needs to take it back still to have the leather put in, which is annoying, but hopefully that will be able to be scheduled soon. So far my favorite thing about his car is that there's no key to put in the ignition... as long as you have the keys in your pocket or purse the car will start just by pressing a button. Also the car will automatically unlock as you put your hand on the door handle, so you don't have to root around for your keys to unlock it. It also has a rear backup camera, which is cool (while marveling at in in the driveway we saw Ulysses walk past the back of the car, which the kids got a kick out of). Also there is no gear shift, just a little joystick which you move in one direction for forward and another direction for reverse, and to put it in park you press a button. Pretty neat.

I am happy also to report that Joel's bargaining skills are still in fine form - the lease deal being advertised by Toyota is for $300 a month with $2300 due at lease signing, for a Prius with no leather, no navigation, no bluetooth, no ipod dock or upgraded stereo system -- Joel got all of these things for the same monthly payment and with only $1500 due at lease signing. We still are not sure exactly how he managed that, but it did involve him demanding the title for his trade-in back and storming out once, with the sales guy and manager finally running after him.... Good job Joel! He did not have a pleasant car-buying experience though, and will not be returning to that dealership for any future business despite the good deal....