I almost did it.
Almost traded in my 1997 9000 Aero (midnight blue, 82K miles) for a new BMW 525i.
Why? Well, things have started failing -- front headlamp washers, cruise control, heated seats. And the local dealer (who is also a Chevy dealer) stinks. And the local independent shop is not much better. And, while I can change the oil and a few other things, I'm just not much of a do-it-yourselfer.
So I test drive the Bimmer. Nice, even allowing for that iDrive abortion and the weird Bangle styling. Expensive, but so was my Aero. And these days -- with Blizzaks -- Bimmers are OK in the winter.
True, the snot-nosed BMW sales guy rubbed me the wrong way. And the fact that every car rag there is fawns over BMW is a bit overmuch. But, after eight years I figured it was time. And I just don't like the Japanese cars -- Toyota (Lexus), Honda (Acura), Nissan (Infiniti). Yeech.
So I queue everything up and get ready to go in for the purchase. Last step is to have my Aero detailed.
The detail guy works wonders. It looks just gorgeous. And says to me as I pick up the car, "Wow, that's the nicest Aero I've seen in a while. Not many of them around here."
And I get behind the wheel as the sunlight fades, and the dash comes to life. Sure there are a lot of buttons and lights and it looks so '80s. But, as my girlfriend says, "Joe's car at night is like an airplane cockpit!".
Then there's the whirr of the turbo and the way the car just goes where you want and makes you smile.
So I approach the BMW dealer. And drive right past it.
Next morning when the phone rings, it's the sales guy.
"Missed you last night, Joe. You still bringing in the Saab for an appraisal?"
"I've changed my mind, Phil. I think I'll drive my Saab a bit longer. Thanks for everything."
Click.