What happens when your car breaks right after you pay off your auto loan?
For me, I went through all the emotions. I was excited to pay off my loan and be able to save to publish my book and help Chris with more bills.
August 8th, I made my last loan payment. August 23rd, my reliable Impala started leaking transmission fluid. I was devastated. I parked it in our garage and stared at the stained driveway in disbelief. Chris reminded me we knew this day would come. It was like we switched roles. My husband pointed out how this was the best-case scenario. I asked how.
- He said I was safe and my car was in the garage. I wasn’t stranded on the expressway or road somewhere.
- Since I paid off my car, I couldn’t go in debt over it. I had positive equity. He said that’s more than he could say for most people.
- Also, he emphasized that we didn’t have to rush into any decisions because I work from home. I didn’t have to go into the office for a couple more weeks.
That same day, Chris did all of this research. He looked up the value of my car in its current condition. He checked the costs of three cars for new, used, and lease. I hugged him and he held me.
“You’re okay. It’s going to be okay.”
I called the dealership and expressed the urgency of needing to get a Saturday appointment if possible. They wouldn’t be able to look at it until the following week when they had more labor available.
After my car was checked out. I was quoted a repair amount that was greater than the value of my car. Chris reminded me of how I poured money into my first love, my Jimmy. It was handed down to me by my dad. Whatever problem it had, I fixed. I loved that vehicle. I felt the same about my Impala. It was different with this car. She only ever needed routine maintenance. I couldn’t give up on her now.
Chris suggested I ask the dealership if they were interested in buying my vehicle as-is. I left a voicemail, half-choked up.
I visualized taking my belongings out of my car and walking away at the dealership. I about lost it. I know. It’s just a car. It still didn’t feel right.
I started thinking about my mom in her 1996 Sunfire. The windows don’t roll down. The air conditioning doesn’t work. It broke down on her once. Her fiance, who I lovingly refer to as my step-dad has been repairing it little by little.
I could offer my mom my car. It would be a great car for her. Plus, I wouldn’t be dumping it at a dealership. I contacted my step-dad and told him my idea.
- The transmission lines need to be replaced
- The coolant and brake fluid are dirty
That wasn’t a big deal to him. He agreed to do the repairs himself. He and Chris helped me keep it a secret.
Thinking about giving my car to my mom made me so happy. I was excited to do it. That excitement allowed me to start thinking about getting a car for myself. Earlier, Chris had done all the work, but I didn’t want to think about it. It was too soon and I was not eager to replace my car payment with another one.
Chris started showing me cars. I realized I could get one with a backup camera. I was giddy. I’m terrible at backing into parking spaces. Plus, my phone could connect to the car and show maps and calls on the screen. Hands-free, I love it. My Impala had Bluetooth capabilities, but it never worked. The technology in these cars is beyond that.
Chris scheduled some test drives for me. I test drove the 2019 Cruze sedan. It was easy to drive and I was comfortable in it. He brought home a 2019 Cruze hatchback for a 24-hour test drive.
I liked that one too. I didn’t have an obvious preference for one over the other. The rear visibility was just as clear as in the sedan. There was more space in the hatchback.
Photo credit: media.gm.com
“Wow. You are really indecisive. What one do you think looks better?”
I said the hatchback.
“Okay, so you prefer the hatchback. What color do you want?”
I said, black, grey, red, or blue.
“You really aren’t picky enough about this.”
I said I don’t know, hun. It’s a necessity. I’ll take what I can get. Chris reminded me that I’m financing a brand new car. I can choose the color and get exactly what I want.
I said I didn’t really have a preference. It wasn’t like I was picking out a sports car.
“What sports car would you choose?”
I blurted it out as quickly as Ralphie in A Christmas Story did about his ideal Red Ryder BB gun.
“Dodge Viper GTS Coupe 2000, red with white racing stripes.”
My brother had that model in his room. I used to draw it all the time. Sometimes, I drew it in blue. As a little girl, I had a poster of kittens and drawings of Dodge Vipers on my bedroom door.
Photo credit: racingmodels.com
“Okay, you want a red hatchback Cruze.”
He was right. We figured it out.
The night before my mom and Mark were going to come over and pick up the Impala, my mom started having second thoughts. She didn’t want to come over while I was getting over a cold. Plus, she was worried about losing my car during the 50-mile haul to their house.
I talked to her and she decided to come with Mark. Thank goodness! I requested she bring me some cookies that she made the night before.
The next morning, I cleaned out my car and Chris vacuumed it before they arrived.
Chris and Mark secured my Impala to the trailer. I asked my mom if she brought the cookies.
“That’s why you wanted me to come today, cookies.”
I said no. I missed her. I pulled my mom in for a hug. I told her it was very important she came today, because I thought she might want my car.
She was befuddled and passionately talked about fixing up her Sunfire and getting it detailed.
“Mom, you talk about how you don’t go anywhere because you don’t have air or working windows.”
My mom argued that Mark would fix that for her. I told my mom my car is 14 years newer than hers. The windows, heat, and air work. I demonstrated how the remote start works too.
“What about you? You need to trade this in so you can get a new car.”
I told my mom Chris had already taken care of that for me and I would be getting my new Cruze next week.
“Would you like my car?”
My mom said, thank you and gave me a tight hug. Chris and Mark brought out the set of winter tires for it. Even though I didn’t look my best that day, I wish I had taken a picture. My mama looked very pretty and she was thankful for the car.
“It’s going to need an oil change soon. Mark’s going to replace the transmission lines. Then, it should be a great car for you.”
Next week, Chris and I will sign over the Impala to my mom. We’ll register my new Cruz. I’ll need to adjust to a smaller car and she’ll need to adjust to a bigger one. We’re both upgrading and I’m grateful.