86/100

Consider the drive test rocked, moderately so. The state has deemed me a satisfactory driver and I am officially licensed to ride.

I didn't ace it (I was too patient when turning a corner) but I passed. I'm finally as qualified as all those snotty 16 year old twerps. And I can do something they can't. I can drive a car AND drink alcohol. Suck it, teenagers.

I got the permit on the 22nd of August, which makes the total time from Start to License exactly one month.

This, naturally, doesn't change anything. It just means that everything's on track for the road trip. And that's a damn good thing to not need to change.

If She Were an Animal She Would Be an Oryx

It's official-- I'm a car owner. For now, try some music while I blather:


powered by ODEO

A White '05 Toyota Camry. My new baby girl. They say you're never the same after your first.

I won't go on too much longer, 'cause I know my sister reads the blog and probably resents that our parents bought me a car. I'll just say that the Walk-Away successfully lowered the price about $800. You gotta do the Walk-Away.

All I need now is to name her. The only names I've come up with so far are Clementine and Katherine. Leave your suggestions in the comments!

Steak Your Claim

Head over to steakdiaries.blogspot.com to check out my friend's new blog. Noga's about to embark on a life-altering adventure through South America. She'll be seeing the sights, hearing the sounds, and staking the steaks.

You'll want to keep tabs on the blog as she updates along the way. Bookmark now while supplies last.

My Niggaz Don't Dance We Just Pull Up Our Pants and Do The

I don't know thing one about buying cars, but I know it's fun.

The whole thing seems to be an orchestrated dance with the sales rep. Maybe less of a dance, more of a passive aggressive fight.

They graciously cart you around the lot, letting you drive all kinds of different cars while they make light-hearted, non-offensive jokes. Then you sit down and haggle. Here's where they bullshit you about wholesale price and how much they money put into the car, and you bullshit back with the deal you think you can get through your car dealer friend.

The best part is the Walk-Away. You gotta do the Walk-Away. Stand up, thank the reps for their time, and Walk Away. If they meet your price without a Walk-Away, you're paying too much.

I bought a rusty javelina with a Walk-Away. True Story. And that's not a euphemism either.


Total Cars Test Driven:
Toyota Prius '01
Toyota Camry '05
Honda Accord '02
Honda Accord EX '04
Subaru Legacy '05

Cars Driven But Never Really Considered, Like, At All:
Subaru Legacy - You didn't want it bad enough.

Cars That Weirded Me Out And Now I Feel Sorta Awkward Around:
Toyota Prius - I don't love you, I love the idea of you.

Cars That Were Too Responsive And Thus Made Me Look Like a Worse Driver:
Honda Accord '02/'04 - It's not you, it's me. But I'm making it you.

Cars With Sweet Spoilers That Make Me Look Ten Percent Cooler:
Toyota Camry - It adds 10 more mph too.