I wasn’t going to buy a car today I wasn’t going to buy a car today I wasn’t going to buy a car today.

I test drove both a Corolla and a Matrix. There were some embarassing moments: I did, in fact, forget that when driving a stick shift, one has to press the clutch to turn the vehicle on. They both had a very tight turning radius, and the greater elevation off the road (as compared to the Celica) made for a smoother ride.

In the end, I preferred the Matrix. While the Corolla had a few more bells and whistles (the only one I really would’ve liked were the fog lights), a six-disc CD changer wasn’t enough to compensate for the far more comfortable driving position in the Matrix (I felt like I had to reach for the shift knob in the Corolla, which made me uncomfortable). In addition, I liked the greater size of the Matrix (it gets 26/33 mileage): now if those tailgaters ram me, I won’t be a pancaked Snay!

I still wasn’t ready to buy. My dad had offered to cosign so that I could get a better rate, plus, I was on the fence as to whether or not to wait until my check from the insurance company arrived so that I could make a downpayment. Carmax Financing and Bank of America offered ridiculous rates, and I was ready to wait a couple of days, but I guess Toyota likes me.

After a quick call to my dad to confirm a.) that their interest rate was what I thought it was (which is to say “killer”), and b.), that even with his signature on the application, I wouldn’t get a better interest rate, I signed on the dotted line.

So, with an interest rate of 4.9% (four point something percent, anyway, I don’t have the paperwork right here at the desk), I drove off the lot in a 2008 Toyota Matrix. It’s “indigo ink”, which is a fancy way of saying “navy blue.” It doesn’t have all the goodies, but it has its fair share: cruise control, power windows, remote entry, a panic button! Best of all is the “Anti-Deer Avoidance System” at the wheel (aka: me!*).

*One deer hit in five years, estimating a minimum of two deer avoidances per week (probably higher) gives us a failure rate of 1:520.

Anybody know where I can locate a notary public in Maryland? All my google searches are fruitless! (I guess most lawyers are NPs, right? And possibly the guy at the body shop…)

So, the insurance company called back. I’ll be getting a cool forty-two hundred for my car (less my deductible, of course). Here’s the problem: they stop paying for my rental in two days, and I don’t get the check from ‘em until they get some documents from me (which require a notary public’s witness, and signature, possibly, and other stuff). Here’s the other problem: I want that money for a downpayment!

Looks like I’ll be paying Out of Pocket for my rental for a day or five.

Anyway.

Notary publics. Where. Are. Thou?