I'll Call Her Eleanor... Ellie for Short

I'm car shopping... kinda freaked out by the whole ordeal... kinda invigorated that I'm doing something pretty big, by myself, for the first time.

I found a 2003 Honda Element, black with tinted windows, CD/MP3, keyless entry, 28k miles, lots of fixin's... all for only $13,998. I thought I had found the perfect vehicle.

The catch you ask?

Besides being located in Chicago (they's ship it here formereear $150), there's no factory installed air conditioner. WTF? Who makes a car that doesn't come with air conditioning? I'm only getting a new car because my car's air went out and then started going to shit, so no air is definitely a stopping point... Next Please!

BUT... the good thing this car gave me... it gave me a bargaining tool. Online there is a car with low mileage, 'cool' features (pun intended) and pretty low cost. So I've been calling the few car dealers here in town asking if they can beat this deal I have set up in Chicago.

Two of the three I've called have told me they will beat my deal. YESSS! One point for me. I'm a negotiating fool!

Now, the hard part will be - knowing when to walk away. I know that I don't have to buy these cars. If they don't give me the deal they have worked out over the phone... I'm going to the next dealership.

I'm going to have a late evening tonight.

If I bring an Element home soon... I think I'll call her Eleanor... Ellie for short.

Wish me luck!