(no subject)
Started the weekend out by shopping with the hubby for Christmas gifts for the boys. We went to Halifax Shopping center and picked out a -12 degree sleeping bag for our oldest, who is a Scout/Venturer and wanted a nice warm one for winter camping. I think there must be a screw loose somewhere. I'll take nice warm summer camping anyday. I start to shiver...I'm outta there.
Then we were off to one of the two archery stores here in the city. We were on a quest for arrows. Oldest is also an archer and we needed to replace his arrow supply. We lucked in and found 6 at the first place we stopped. We decided that since he needs them right away we wouldn't make him wait until Christmas and gave them to him as soon as we got home.
Then since we made such good time with the shopping we decided to hit a few car lots in the city. We priced out a Montana minivan ($371/month) and a GMC Sierra truck ($550/month). We also looked at a Dodge Ram, a Chevy Silverado, and just about all the other competitors trucks. The only ones we had time to price out were the GM vehicles. As we are related to a GM employee we get GM vehicles for 5% over cost. The Sierra started out with a sticker price of $38,000 but with our discount we can get it for $26,000. A bit cheaper for the Silverado (which is also a GM truck and identical to the Sierra but made by Chev) because it's a 2x4 instead of a 4x4.
Practicality says go for the Montana. It's roomy, cheaper and would meet our needs. However, we've wanted a truck now for about 17 years. We've never really had the money. We buy a new or used vehicle and drive it until it drops. That means we keep our vehicles until they are at least 10 to 12 years old and have several hundred thousand kilometers on it. Using that reasoning, if we waited until our next vehicle to buy the truck.... we'd be waiting 12 years and I'd be mid 50's and hubby would be 60. Forget that.
So we are seriously considering the truck. Since the GM supplier discounts end this year, we'd never get another truck like that, brand new at that price. We've also wanted something that can be used as a tow vehicle. It's now or never for the truck. It will be VERY tight money wise until our mortgage is paid off next Christmas. We might even have to run up a bit of a debt on the line of credit until then. But after that it should be fine. I'm also thinking creatively with the financing. If we finance it at 8.99% over 8 years instead of 7 we may be able to get the payment down under 500 which is better. We can't get 0% financing and all of the discounts at the same time. After the mortgage is paid off we can remortgage the house for some renos we need to do and add the truck cost onto it. The variable rates would be somewhere around 4% which would save us a bit of interest.
Then again....we might get it...figure out in a few months we just can't do it and have to sell it.
So it's the truck or the van. Do we go for the truck we've always wanted or settle for the van that we could probably make do and be content with.
And since they are both GM products we're taking another gamble since speculation is flying that GM will soon be going under. Which would void any warranty we have on our current Pontiac Vibe and the van/truck we're looking at. So, I wonder.... if GM goes under and our warranty is voided...is that a breach of contract? Would we have to continue paying? Anyway, it's all a bunch of questions and a ball of stress. If only we could have gotten a year out of the old van...even another 6 months. Just makes me sick to think of the money.
Anyhoooooo. Made a mean ham and split pea soup for supper tonight. Let it simmer all day as we were out shopping the car lots again. The house sure smelled great when we got home.
I think I'm gonna go throw up now.
Then we were off to one of the two archery stores here in the city. We were on a quest for arrows. Oldest is also an archer and we needed to replace his arrow supply. We lucked in and found 6 at the first place we stopped. We decided that since he needs them right away we wouldn't make him wait until Christmas and gave them to him as soon as we got home.
Then since we made such good time with the shopping we decided to hit a few car lots in the city. We priced out a Montana minivan ($371/month) and a GMC Sierra truck ($550/month). We also looked at a Dodge Ram, a Chevy Silverado, and just about all the other competitors trucks. The only ones we had time to price out were the GM vehicles. As we are related to a GM employee we get GM vehicles for 5% over cost. The Sierra started out with a sticker price of $38,000 but with our discount we can get it for $26,000. A bit cheaper for the Silverado (which is also a GM truck and identical to the Sierra but made by Chev) because it's a 2x4 instead of a 4x4.
Practicality says go for the Montana. It's roomy, cheaper and would meet our needs. However, we've wanted a truck now for about 17 years. We've never really had the money. We buy a new or used vehicle and drive it until it drops. That means we keep our vehicles until they are at least 10 to 12 years old and have several hundred thousand kilometers on it. Using that reasoning, if we waited until our next vehicle to buy the truck.... we'd be waiting 12 years and I'd be mid 50's and hubby would be 60. Forget that.
So we are seriously considering the truck. Since the GM supplier discounts end this year, we'd never get another truck like that, brand new at that price. We've also wanted something that can be used as a tow vehicle. It's now or never for the truck. It will be VERY tight money wise until our mortgage is paid off next Christmas. We might even have to run up a bit of a debt on the line of credit until then. But after that it should be fine. I'm also thinking creatively with the financing. If we finance it at 8.99% over 8 years instead of 7 we may be able to get the payment down under 500 which is better. We can't get 0% financing and all of the discounts at the same time. After the mortgage is paid off we can remortgage the house for some renos we need to do and add the truck cost onto it. The variable rates would be somewhere around 4% which would save us a bit of interest.
Then again....we might get it...figure out in a few months we just can't do it and have to sell it.
So it's the truck or the van. Do we go for the truck we've always wanted or settle for the van that we could probably make do and be content with.
And since they are both GM products we're taking another gamble since speculation is flying that GM will soon be going under. Which would void any warranty we have on our current Pontiac Vibe and the van/truck we're looking at. So, I wonder.... if GM goes under and our warranty is voided...is that a breach of contract? Would we have to continue paying? Anyway, it's all a bunch of questions and a ball of stress. If only we could have gotten a year out of the old van...even another 6 months. Just makes me sick to think of the money.
Anyhoooooo. Made a mean ham and split pea soup for supper tonight. Let it simmer all day as we were out shopping the car lots again. The house sure smelled great when we got home.
I think I'm gonna go throw up now.