AlphaDawg
07-01-2003, 08:28 PM
As some of you may know, I recently got a promotion at my job. (This, by the way, explains my limited presence around here recently... 50+ hour work weeks will do that to you.) So I decided my method of transportation should get a promotion as well. (There was actually a little more to my decision than that, should anybody care I'll go into detail at another time.)
So anyway, I figured I'd trade in my Kia Spectra for a car I've had my eyes on for a long time, a brand new 2003 Volkswagen Passat. It's only the base GL model (no sunroof, leather seating, or alloy wheels) but let's face facts, a base model Passat is a hell of a lot better than 75% of the cars on the road today. The engine (1.8 liter 4-cylinder turbocharged) is whisper-quiet yet powerful. The handling is about as crisp as it gets and the ride is exceptionally smooth. Seating is comfortable and the whole interior has an upscale feel to it. And the factory stereo is exceptional - an 8-speaker CD/cassette stereo. Not to mention the VW-trademark blue/red interior light scheme is simply beautiful and makes the car an absolute joy to drive at night.
Unfortunately, anybody who knows anything about cars knows Kias rank near the bottom in terms of expected resale value, so in addition to paying for the Passat I still have to make up a significant negative equity on the trade-in. So unless I get a second, part-time job, I'm not going to have as much spending money as I've been accustomed to lately. But that's okay. I'll just spend more of my free time in my car. In fact, mark my words, I already plan to drive my car to meet all of you at next year's AGN convention, wherever it may be.
So anyway, I figured I'd trade in my Kia Spectra for a car I've had my eyes on for a long time, a brand new 2003 Volkswagen Passat. It's only the base GL model (no sunroof, leather seating, or alloy wheels) but let's face facts, a base model Passat is a hell of a lot better than 75% of the cars on the road today. The engine (1.8 liter 4-cylinder turbocharged) is whisper-quiet yet powerful. The handling is about as crisp as it gets and the ride is exceptionally smooth. Seating is comfortable and the whole interior has an upscale feel to it. And the factory stereo is exceptional - an 8-speaker CD/cassette stereo. Not to mention the VW-trademark blue/red interior light scheme is simply beautiful and makes the car an absolute joy to drive at night.
Unfortunately, anybody who knows anything about cars knows Kias rank near the bottom in terms of expected resale value, so in addition to paying for the Passat I still have to make up a significant negative equity on the trade-in. So unless I get a second, part-time job, I'm not going to have as much spending money as I've been accustomed to lately. But that's okay. I'll just spend more of my free time in my car. In fact, mark my words, I already plan to drive my car to meet all of you at next year's AGN convention, wherever it may be.