Hi, I'm Chris. You might remember me from some such threads as, "I can't afford a new MINI", and "Please, oh please, help me afford a new MINI."

Well, I can't believe that I've done this, but an oppurtunity to purchase an inexpensive temporary car presented itself, so I bought it. Now I can (reluctantly) sell my Jeep Cherokee and get out those payments - thereby reducing debt, and hopeully allowing us to save more effectively.

I am the owner of a nice 93 Dodge Shadow! ... that I traded in exchange for a stack of brand new tires for the sellers new car. Cost me $350. That's right, I own this puppy! - what an interesting concept.





I can't say I'm really happy about this. It was probably the right thing to do, but I like to be proud of what I drive. The only thing I can be proud of with this is that I actually had the will power to go through with it. :smile:

Now hopefully this strategy will help me acquire my new MINI more quickly. Time will tell.

 

We'll still be here.

Do what you need to do and hopefully a MINI will be yours soon.

The sticker on the back is great. :smile:

 

vmote- smart move, getting out of debt.

Hope your new car is low maintenance and goodluck!
You'll have your MINI in no time.

 

Excellent financial move! You STOLE that puppy...

 

Well, ya know what they say, "Ya gotta go through a little Hell before ya get to Heaven." Good choice on the switch there. You'll be able to reap the rewards later, and quicker without the burden of debt overload. Could be worse though. That car still appears to be intact. It could have been some beat up rusted out K-car or something. You'll get through this.
Cheers,

 

Chris:

Congratulations -- well done! Give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy your new-to-you car!

 

Maybe this will help tide you over:

minicostume.zip

Great move. I admire your sacrifice!

 

Thanks for the kind words, gang. I've been avoiding this forum to lessen my desire for a MINI - to help me keep things in perspective. However, I find that visiting NAM just makes me more determined. It good to have goals.

The worst part about the Shadow is the smoker stench. Vile!

 

At least your temp car has a spoiler!


I was at a car show recently and the MINI booth was giving away those little scented things you hang from your rear view mirror. It's shaped like a MINI and the package says, "Let's smell our car." (It's unscented - get it?) My daughter - who usually has a very quick and subtle sense of humor - thought this was stupid. I thought it was pretty clever. Anyway, I have no use for this. If you'd like to have it, PM me your postal address and I'll send it to you. Having a MINI hanging from your mirror might be a good motivator! (Even if it's unscented!)

I seem to remember reading that spraying Febreeze on the carpets and seats (if they're cloth) and headliner helps a lot. Clean the glass well and armor-all everything plastic. Hotels have something they spray into the heat/AC units in the rooms to help get rid of the smoke smell. (I'll bet car rental companies have something like this, too.) You might try an auto parts store and see if they've got something. You'll never get rid of the smell, but you might be able to reduce it.

Also, I know it's a temp car and it's not always a good idea to name a temp car, but have you considered naming it "Lamont" after Lamont Cranston, the hero of the old-time radio show, "The Shadow"?


I'm sure there are lots of Shadows out there named "Lamont" but it just seems so perfect for your car! Your friends who know "The Shadow" will get it, and the ones who don't will just think Lamont is a great dopey name for such a funky car.

 

No, you can be proud of that sticker on the back, too! That's hilarious! That's going to crack people up on the road (except maybe other Shadow drivers...)

 

...and there's your bumper sticker, right there!

 

I noticed that too. Is that really a bumper sticker or did you Photoshop "Temporary Car" in there for our benefit?

And aren't all cars temporary?

/breaks into "Dust in the Wind"

 

I run a very small vinyl sign business out of my home office. I sell novelty decals on eBay mostly. I thought a "Temporary Car" decal would suit the Shadow well. Glad you like it! :smile:

 

Cool! Maybe while you save up for a MINI you could spend your time designing custom vinyl stripes for yourself.