Prius Test Drive #3

I consider myself a bargain-hunter/shopper and I am no different when it comes to buying a car. If I could go to an auto auction I would but I know nothing about cars so that wouldn't be of any use to me. I've been closely watching Autotrader to scope out the stock and today I found a decently priced Prius from some import dealer. After a bit of searching I became slightly worried it was a place run by the Russian mafia. Trying to not be judgmental I figured I would give the place a fair shot.

Well I show up and go into the front door (which was unlocked) and no one is around. After a few "hellos" and thinking to myself this is how all horror movies start (dark, rainy, shady looking building, with no one around) I return to my car. I figure I should at least drive around back and scope things out, I pull up and it appears this is where some cars go to die or maybe be revived as many were new but wrecked. Again with the Hitchcock music playing in my head I continue my auto adventure. I walk into the garage again with the "hellos" and the first Russian greets me (doesn't speak English) I attempt to explain I'm there to look at a Prius I saw online. He leaves and out comes the boss, who speaks English. I explain why I am there again and he then disappears to get the keys and comes back with the keys and a battery starter....wait, so you're telling me the car doesn't start? This is the first thing that comes to mind. Well no, the car parked behind it wouldn't start. Anyways the car looked nice but I'm not confident it would be the smartest place to purchase a vehicle....

And my search continues tomorrow with some Toyota dealership in Clinton Township..

Need: New Whip

Last week I took my Alleycat aka Oldsmobile Alero (2001 edition - classic) to the shop for a "routine" check-up. Only to find out she needs $990 worth of repairs and soon. She is leaking coolant into the oil pan....grrrrreat. Well as you can imagine my current whip is worth about about the same amount as those repairs so that's a no-go. As of last Thursday I am currently in the car market. Some whips in contention (please stop reading now if you are an American car only kinda person)

• Toyota Prius (duh, what car matches my personality better than a Prius). Potential concerns: does it drive well in the snow? I've heard repairs are expensive and batteries need to be replaced often. Has the whole recall issue, has it been fixed?
• Hyundai Sonata. Went to drive a Mazada 6 and saw this car and decided to drive it. Solid whip, solid price, Ryan loves it. Gas mileage is mediocre as this is a full-size sedan.
• All compact cars and SUV's are ruled out
• The only potential GM car in contention is the Malibu which isn't that appealing

Today I went to test drive a Prius and the salesman was horrible. Knew nothing about the car - I was basically selling the car to myself....horrible and disappointing. My search continues but who knew car shopping sucked so bad.