When Overpaying is a Value

Benefits of Ownership
Originally uploaded by :shawn:
For as long as I remember I have leased cars. It all started early on, just after getting married. Leasing was a new concept. Basically it allowed you to get into a brand new car for about the same payments as what it would cost you to buy a used car. This all worked well, AS LONG as you did not go over the estimated yearly miles. For me, we did not drive the much and I used to manage that whole thing pretty closely.

After doing that for about 12yrs it started to get old. After all, at the end of the lease, you had nothing and there is no worse feeling than turning in a car knowing you have nothing to drive 5 minutes later. Thus getting into yet another lease..

So, at the end of the last one I was determined to end the cycle. No more leases. At the same time I did not want a junk car. I am not a mechanic and I hate to tinker, so fixing my own car was not a option.

After some research, a LOT of research, I decided to buy a Certified Lexus. Quite frankly I could not afford a 1 yr old or two year old certified. But, I was able to manage to find a 3 yr old with very low miles, 20K. So, to the dismay of my then wife, we purchased what she called a "old man's car".

But you know, there has not been a day I have regretted the purchase and especially not today. Today I had to bring the car in for service as the engine light went on. Nothing wrong with the engine, just the light went on. Seems these are sometimes faulty.

Upon arriving at the dealership you are treated like gold. Coffee, muffins, juice are all ready for you. They even provide shuttle service to the local mall. Not a bus , but our own personal driver. Now it ended up that the work was more involved and they needed to keep my car overnight. That entitled me to a loaner car, of which this is the rim. This car is awesome. It is the Lexus ES 350 with SmartKey, a keyless system. Amazing!..

After getting home tonight the dealership called and informed me of the terrible news. They may not be able to get a part in till later tomorrow and I may be forced to be with out my 7yr old Lexus and have to use theirs over the weekend...

Bummer..... :)