Ruby Deux

As I mentioned HERE, Katie’s car (affectionately known as Ruby) has been in the shop. Actually, it’s been in the parking lot of the shop. They have been so kind to let us keep her car there until we could figure out our next move. Not only that, but they didn’t charge us a dime to look at the car in the first place. They will definitely be keeping our business for a long time.

We exhausted all of our options and finally determined today we just need to scrap it. I feel bad for her because she worked hard to save the money to buy Ruby and she only lasted three months. I feel just as bad for Nick, the kid she bought the car from. He feels responsible, but he had no way of knowing there was only so much left in Ruby. Buying an 18-year-old car is always a risk.

So tonight we worked a deal to get Katie a newer car. Funnily enough it’s another red Camry, but a ’97 instead of a ’93. The three of us piled into the car (which may or may not be named Ruby Deux) and took a test drive to the parking lot where Ruby’s been hanging out for the past few weeks. Katie and I cleaned her out while Todd went in to tell the guys a flat bed truck would be collecting the old car in the next day or two. Then we drove away and it was kind of sad.

Back to the dealer where we signed papers and wrote a check and then we came home where we figured out a payment plan for Katie. She’s a little bummed about not owning the car outright (that would be me who owns the car outright) but she’s thrilled to have a ride again.

And me? I’m thrilled to be able to comfortably climb into my car in the morning without having to try and squeeze in and then slide the seat back.