Car Shopping

Since the end of April I've been without a car. There has been a rollercoaster of various frustrations. First it was figuring out whether I should just find someone to rig a "good enough" fix or just report it to my insurance. Then once I had made that decision I waited weeks for my insurance to get around to inspecting it. Apparently someone routed my claim to San Diego and no one there bothered to bounce it back. Since then I've been car shopping, dabbling at first, because the entire process intimidated the hell out of me.


Now I'm actively searching for a car and still finding myself divided on what I should do. A new car is an automotively safe decision. There's a warranty, no one else has abused the engine, they're all shiny and perfect. But they also come with car payments. Years of car payments, thousands of dollars I could be saving instead.


Used cars come with their own issues, of course. What hidden problems are there? How badly did the previous owner treat the vehicle? (Don't buy a used silver Accord in the Austin area right now, by the way - the previous owner will tell you that himself.) How much money in maintenance is this going to require? Does buying a higher mileage for cheaper balance?

I'm still as intimidated as hell, but getting more and more fed up with being carless. My bike is great, but going most places just takes so much effort compared to a car. And it's July. In Austin. I think my breaking point that will force me to just make a decision and buy a car is coming soon.

a bit too much

Yesterday, I managed to kick my own ass. My bicycle is currently my only form of transportation - aside from begging rides from friends, the bus, and my own two feet. And I hate asking for rides. So yesterday I get the brilliant idea to ride my bike to rugby practice. After having ridden my bike to and from work and from work to my kettlebell workout. It's about five miles from my apartment to practice, with a slight uphill grade, as all of Austin slopes uphill from the river. Not really all that bad, or so I think.


Yeah, right. I made it through practice and through the ride home, but man am I regretting it today! If it I hadn't had the kettlebell workout I think it would have been okay, but for right now I'm gonna stick with the bus or bumming rides.

I Can Has Bicycle

I bought a bike. A gorgeous K2 Trailhead. I love her. She is freedom. She is a faster commute to work. And every time I see that gas prices have risen again it makes me exceptionally happy to not be driving.