Needs and wants

This past weekend was filled with ups and downs for me - emotionally speaking that is.

I'm considering buying a new car. I'm not really "into" the car thing and usually it's rather low on my priority list. BUT my car is getting old and I needed to start looking out for a new / newer one. The only cars that I really like are 4x4 SUV's. Needless to say, they are all expensive and heavy on fuel so I never really considered actually buying one. So, on Saturday, Leon and I started our hunt for a new car for me. We specifically looked at the smaller SUV's but couldn't find something I really liked.

Then, as I was there wondering about all the cars in this rather up-market second hand car dealer, I saw it! The car of my dreams! I never really cared much either way for Nissan and would somebody have told me that I would fall head over heels in love with a Nissan I would have laughed. But - there I was - heart racing, eyes gaping and mouth drooling over this beautiful, beautiful car. It was a Nissan Pathfinder (don't you think it's a great name for a car!)
I can honestly say that I have NEVER in my life felt anything like this over a car! I loved every bit of detail on the car and could already imagine myself driving it. It had an automatic transmission and I've never really like that either, but for some bizarre reason it didn't bother me in the slightest on this car - I even said I think it "suits" this car! Then I took it for a test drive! It felt like heaven! Everything was just so smooth and perfect!

Leon also liked the car and were pointing out all the features. We also discussed the irritating but I suppose important" matter of FUEL CONSUMPTION. He mentioned that it was a rather thirsty vehicle but the entire time I tried to convince myself that "it couldn't be THAT bad!" I loved this car and wanted it with all my heart - and I didn't want to listen to that little voice in my head trying to tell me that it didn't make sense.

Leon is an excellent negotiator and I asked him to handle the negotiation for me. He told the salesman that we are seriously interested in the car but that we will contact him on Monday to confirm if we'll take it or not. When we left I was still a bundle of excitement but with almost every minute that passed reason started returning to my over-emotional self and I started realising that it would probably be the most foolish thing I have ever done if I buy that car. With the fuel price at a record high and interest rates sky high as well as the fact that I have to travel more and longer distances - it just didn't make any sense at all! My heart still tried to argue for a while but I had to accept all the arguments against it. (We confirmed that this was unfortunately one of the vehicles with the highest fuel consumption on the market.)

And so my day ended on a bit of a disappointing note. I promised myself that I will never again allow myself to get emotionally involved with a car. Can you imagine that! Me - little old Michelle who's only interested in pretty scrapbooking stuff and never really cared for more earthly possessions than a safe and comfortable home!. I then started - like I usually do when I'm down in the dumps - to count my blessings. I still have a reliable car that's not so "thirsty". I love my car and I really enjoy driving it. I can still get a couple more miles out of my car and in the meantime I can still afford to buy little luxuries for myself, my home and my kids - which would not have been the case if I bought my Pathfinder.

I guess one have to always distinguish between wants and needs - take care of your needs first, then if there is something left over - spoil yourself a little bit and be satisfied to do without the rest.

However - nobody ever said a girl can't dream - right?! ;o)