If there was anything I could have done that was stupider, I can't think of it.  A recession is coming, I had a very new car already...but at least I can write down my thought processes, to look back on later when I've forgotten

In 2005 I bought a manual WRX wagon (no frills, no options...except a spoiler, I guess ) that suited my needs...but Mike pointed out when I bought it that it might not be enough car for me.  I stupidly ignored him and told him that if I could get a great deal on the WRX, I would be perfectly happy...and if I didn't, then I'd go test drive that dream car that I had been drooling over for months (Lexus IS 350).  The Subaru dealer couldn't believe my backup plan, but eventually gave in and sold me the car for the price I wanted.
The plan was to use it for our Home Depot runs, and as our every day gas saver car (compared to Mike's G35 coupe).  I assumed the trunk would be big enough to haul things around and the gas mileage would be somewhere between the 20 and 27 they  mentioned on the sticker.  Both turned out to be wrong.  The car barely got 20mpg, and all my driving was highway driving.  And Mike could never fit anything in the wagon trunk that wouldn't fit in his car.

Then I got the job in Arlington, and we started carpooling in with 4 people in the car.  It was doable, especially since most of us are small...but not exactly comfortable.  Winter started coming in, and every time I drove Mike's car I envied his butt warmers. 

But I just couldn't justify spending the $$$ for the car I really wanted.  The toys were nice and all, but it was RWD and from what my friend Robbie said, the back seat wouldn't have much more room than my WRX did.  I used those excuses for a long time until Mike pointed out that Infiniti just remodeled the G35 sedan....and hinted that he would actually encourage me to buy one.  Doh!  Mike is usually my sanity check, the person I go to when I need to be talked out of spending money recklessly.  And here he was saying I should take a look at this car and telling me how much he likes it.  Bad move, man.

So a couple weeks later we go test drive the thing.  And it's wonderful!!  Drives so well, has all the toys and gadgets I like.  To compare, I decided to go test drive my dream car, the Lexus (and a few others).  It drove a bit nicer (the shifting on the automatic sport shift was smoother) and had cooled/heated seats instead of just heated.  But it was RWD and cost $9k more!!!  I know..RWD is better performance, but after having 2 Subarus in a row, I'd been accustomed to AWD.  And moving from TX to DC (although I know, we're still technically the South) means I'm still terrified of driving in snow and ice. 

After thinking about it for a while, talking to everyone I knew and redoing our budget to fit the payments in, we decided that it wouldn't be too much of a financial burden to go ahead and do it.  I will have to hold myself to the budget cuts I put in place for me next year, but the new car is so worth it!!  Keyless entry and start, moonroof, heated seats, bluetooth phone integration with the speakers, HDD based GPS with 9.5G worth of space for mp3s, iPod interface...all the toys I could ever want and more!  Lets hope my gadget-iness is sated, because...

I also promised Mike I would keep this car until it died, so here it is in print.  I PROMISE to keep this car until it dies...regardless of what cool gadgets come out in the meantime.  I also promise not to drive this car into the ground early just so I can get a new car. 

So...Merry X-mas to us.  We now have a comfortable, wonderful new commuter car that Mike gets to drive on the weekdays (he drops the 3 of us off because his parking is paid for) and I get to drive on the weekends.