While we were at the dealership yesterday getting the oil changed and the brakes checked, tires rotated, and a new rear windshield wiper put on, the guy in charge of used car sales asked us if we would ever consider trading it in. We said yes, but not until next year when it was paid off and we bought a Sienna.

He then offered us $2000 above what it is worth as a trade in (according to KBB), which is also about $2000 more than we still owe on it. He said that people are wanting our particular model really badly right now because of gas mileage and also because of the paint color. Our paint color is really popular, a gorgeous, bright metallic blue, but they can't get it anymore because the paint factory that made it was wiped out in the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami. He said he could probably sell it within the week. So if we were to accept his offer it would be paid off and we'd have $2000 as a downpayment on something else.

So we decided to go see if "our" new car salesman was there and we could test drive some Siennas. He was. They had one certified used and the others were all 2011's. We test drove the 2007 and it was in really nice condition. It had been owned by some grandparents who rarely had kids in there, usually about once a month. It had been maintained at that dealership so they had all the records of it, too, and our salesman was the one who originally sold it. It was a really sweet car. I just didn't like the interior wood paneling which was sort of an orangey tortishell color. It was also just gray on the outside and I don't like that.

Then we went to test drive some of the new ones. We really loved the way they handled. All of them, not just the new ones. But all the colors were really bland, pale blue, silver, gray, and white. The white was actually very pretty, but we've had a white car in the past and they just show dirt at a tremendous rate. I want a red one, and I'm willing to wait for one, because when we buy this next car I want to keep it ten to fifteen years and I don't want to be unhappy with the color.

Well, they must be really hungry at that dealership because they were all, "Is there a number we can give you so that you'll buy one today?"

I was all, "I'm sure there is," but I wouldn't name it. They offered us the 2.9% financing for five years. I said I wanted the weekend to think it over, and we needed to come back and test drive with the kids, make sure the legroom thing was going to be a good fit for them. I'm sure it will be, but I'm drawing this out because I don't want to be rushed. The kids are not getting any shorter and legroom has become a real issue in the Matrix.

Turns out the payments for the Sienna would not be terribly much more than we are paying now and it would be a five year loan that after the first year we could throw more money at, probably pay it off in 3 if we wanted to. I'd just have to adjust our debt repayment by a couple hundred dollars a month. Our car insurance would actually go down because of the massive amount of safety features. It's almost a wash.

I'm still not convinced, though. They said they could get a red one down for us with the stuff we want within 24 hours, so if they actually have it there today when we take the kids, I'll believe they are really, really ready to bargain. I just wish we hadn't just filled up the gas tank in the Matrix a few days ago. I wonder if we have enough gas cans to siphon most of it out?

We cleaned out the car on the off chance we go for this, and if we don't, hey, we have a clean car. The kids are a little sad about trading in the Matrix, but they knew it was coming next year, so they will deal. We get to keep our vanity plates, too, they will just transfer them over.

We'll see how it all falls into place. I know with all the driving to Seattle we'll be doing with the surgeries and follow ups, having a more comfortable vehicle may be important. Especially right after when I have to be somewhat reclined to be in less pain.

I still think we should wait until January, or at least December, but I am getting really tired of fighting with my daughter of legroom in that car. And DH thinks we should just get it now and be done with it for comfort's sake. My mother thinks we should, too, since it's mostly a wash. We will see, I guess.