Buying My First Car

The title is self explanatory

 

I was seventeen years old, when I bought my first car. It was 1969. I was already a mother to a six month old daughter. Our main mode of transportation, up to this point, had been walking for me and a stroller for her. When we had doctor appointments, I always had to bum a ride.

Now, I had my first income tax refund. Open road, here we come!

I scanned the newspaper car ads and many were out of my price range. However, there were a few for me to call on and look at. I learned you had to call very early in the morning or they were already gone! Then, there were the ones that would take a master mechanic and more money than I had, to get them running again. Finally, one day, I saw an ad, in an obscure paper that I had never looked at before this. The ad read:

  1962 Comet. Auto. Runs well. No dents. $300.00 462-xxxx       

Surely, it's already gone, I thought. But, being an optimist or desperate, I called.

Yes! It was still available and I could come over, anytime!

I begged a friend for a ride and went over, quickly. As we drove up, I saw this cute, little white car, all in one piece. So far, so good!

I knocked on the front door, trying to curb my excitement. I sure didn't want anybody raising the price and truth be told, the asking price of $300.00, was $15.00 more than I had. Plus, I would need to gas it up and register it.

A smiling, gray-haired man opened the door and I explained why I was there. He walked with me, out to the car, as I asked the usual questions; were the brakes good, anything wrong with the car, had it ever been in an accident?  All replies were good and he suggested that I take it for a spin.

I got into the car and there was no way that I could keep a smile off my face! It had a red and white interior and you could tell it had been a well-cared for vehicle.

It ran like a dream and that's what I felt like I was in, a very happy dream! I wanted this car!

As I returned, I tried to think of how to approach him on the price. I really didn't know how to handle it. When I pulled up, I just blurted out, "Will you take $200.00?"

He answered, quickly, as if he had been waiting for this! "$250.00", he replied, with a twinkle in his eyes.

"$210.00", I answered.

"$225.00", he shot back.

$212.50?" I said, in a small voice.

That's how I purchased my first car, an automatic, 1962 white Comet, with red and white interior, runs well, no dents, for $212.50.

I filled it up, registered it and still had a few cents left over!

 

   

Reviews

[SR Urie]

Hi Barbara.
Good story. The young mother seeking a ride of her own looks at the right add at the right time and gets a real good deal. I imagine a 62' Comet would be a great car these days. I would've liked to have heard a bit more description of you as a girl of seventeen and more about your daughter, even more about the car, but what you have given me here is a very good description of a serendipitous first purchase. I hope to see more stories from you, ma'am. Good job. BZ

[Dr Ayaz chandio]

this is really nice story...keep it up.

[Legion]

Don't you wish sometimes you still had it? ;)