Mom and Dad buy a new car (first one in 15 years)

So yesterday, my parents (Mark and Dianne) came down because my dad had the weekend off, and they hardly ever have the opportunity to make the 4 hour drive to come see us unless there is a very specific thing going on (which I guess is the case this time since they were coming down to go to Garek's family B-day party at Chuck E. Cheese's in the cities, but happened to have the day before to come visit).

We (Matt and Gigi) have been long time Saturn owners (we did deviate once when we bought a Dodge Mini Van which was the biggest mistake of our life, and we corrected that by trading it in for our current Saturn Outlook), and my sister and bother in-law Andee and Bryan bought a VUE, and my brother Jake bought an SL as his first car and we gave him our SL1 instead of trading it in since it was a great car. So Mom and Dad Dobo have seen how great the Saturn cars are, and have always said that someday they would like to get something like a VUE once they convinced themselves that they could live with something smaller than a Mini Van (which has been the mainstay of the Dobo family fleet before the kids all left the nest and grew wheels of our own).

Since they had some time, I suggested that they stop at Saturn in Golden Valley, since that is where we have purchased our last three Saturns (it isn't that far off course and easy to get to on the way to our place), and our "guy" Mark is all that anyone could hope for in a car salesman. The idea was for them to get some info, take a test drive, so they could start mulling over things. I did give my dad a bit of a pep talk saying that you have to know ahead of time when the situation is right, and what sort of incentives are true incentives and not some sort of marketing gimmick so that if the situation presented, they would act on it instead of letting it slip by (I also had to explain that buying a car is not what you would think making a rather large purchase would be like- especially in the cities where everything moves fast, so be ready for a whirl wind of a ride if you decided to act).

Well, we hadn't heard anything and it was getting late. I was trying to time putting on some Beer Can Chickens so they would be done, but not cold by the time they were here, thinking that Dad and I might catch up while they are cooking. So I called to find out what was up since they had grandma Rose with, and I figured that they were buying a car, or in the ditch some where.

Turns out, they found a VUE they liked, and were just finalizing paperwork etc etc.

Some of the highlights from the experience. Mark (our guy) happened to be working and was trying to get going since he and his wife were off to CA for a vacation (I think they have family out there), but he dropped everything to help my parents because he heard the name Dobosenski. After efficiently narrowing down which vehicle might be a winner, they decided on one that was actually at the Burnsville Saturn, so the put some money down to hold that one while they did the financing thing. Turns out, good thing they put money down, since a couple was test driving that exact car when they called down to inform the other location that they had a buyer for it- too bad for the other couple and sales person who lost that sale. Mark passed mom and dad off to Dan (the financing guy, who is great at what he does, and actually makes all the paperwork and the fact that you are spending a boat load of $$ somewhat fun) who would do most of the paper work, since Mark was off- now having to drive directly to the airport to catch a plane.

Because of having to transfer the car, and do things like the under body sealant and glass treatment, as well as the customary detailing, the new VUE would be ready on Monday (good thing Dad happens to have Monday off, and can stay at Andee and Bryan's, and she can run him to the dealer on her lunch break).

They get down here and we have a great meal as they tell their story.  (Dad still can't believe the amount they saved on it with all the incentives- right now it is cheaper to buy a new car than most used cars that are not junkers)

Today when we were up for the B-day thing, we pointed out that the Burnsville Saturn was a stone throw from where we were, so we decided to go see if we could find mom and dad's new car on the lot so they could see it (as mom pointed out- heck of a purchase to make without ever seeing or driving the exact vehicle that you are buying).

so here it is, Mom and Dad's new Saturn VUE (Dad even cross referenced the inventory control number with the paperwork so he knows this one is their car):

Needless to Say, Mom and Dad are happy with it.

Mom took a few pictures

Pointed out how much she likes the color (even matches the color of the camera us kids got her for Christmas)

So, I would like to introduce the newest members of the Saturn owner family- My Mom and Dad:

I guess it isn't official 'till Monday, but darn close enough.  One step closer to an all Saturn family- which might not be all that long since they said that they found a used VUE when they were looking that my youngest sister Katrina is seriously looking at since she would like to buy a car of her own since she is done with school and working now. . .