Tattlers, I seem to have a lot of luck with cars!
I've always wanted a little Mini Cooper convertible to zip around in during summer. But then I've realised they're not the most practical of cars with all the stuff I tend to lug about in my car (kayak, I do a lot of shopping, etc.), so parked the thought somewhere in my psyche. I already have a really nice 4WD which I manifested, which I couldn't be happier with. But at one point, I had the picture of a little grey/silver mini convertible with a black soft cover, on one of my manifestation boards and have continued to admire all the cute little Mini convertibles that I've seen out and about.
I've been away from home, staying with immediate and extended family since before Christmas. I'm the South Island of NZ currently, but usually live in the North Island, so I got a rental car from the top of the South Island and drove it down here, rather than add thousands of kms to my own car to get here.
A few days ago, I was scrolling through a local paper at my parents' house and saw the exact same little Mini that I had a picture of on my vision board. I saw the low asking price and couldn't believe it! It had very high kms (300,000s), was older (2007), and had a damaged bonnet. I called the dealer, expecting it to have sold - and it was still available! I went down to look at it ... the car was in really good condition despite its age and long owner history; it had been checked and signed off for its mechanical warranty; it had newish tyres; and it had been serviced in November with a few things upgraded. The bonnet had some weird acid-type stuff on it ... it felt textured to touch. Long story short, I bought it! I didn't try and do a deal because the dealer said that if it hadn't sold by the first normal back-to-work in January, he was going to get it replaced and put the price up an extra $2k. Besides, I paid what I feel was a really low price for it!
I returned my rental car and the lady at the counter was very happy as there's such a shortage of available cars at the moment so released me from my contract with no penalty.
I love my little car! It's so much fun. My mum keeps taking off with it - I think she wants to keep it - ha! We went out to do a supermarket shop yesterday and it was ridiculous - we had bags in the boot, the backseat, the floor cavities ... it was certainly a tight squeeze.
I can't have two cars, so my plan is to drive all the way back home (which will take two days, and an overnight stay somewhere), roof down and full enjoyment, then sell it when I get back home. A friend has expressed interest in buying it for her daughter who's learning to drive - what a wonderful gift that would be! Meanwhile, I'll get to enjoy it for the summer.
The bonnet is ugly but I spoke to a guy who fixes stuff like this for a living, who said it's not reparable ... he said the only alternative would be to 'wrap' it but he doesn't have an exact match. Or find one from a wrecker's yard. That can be a job for its next owner.
Long story short ... if you plant the seed for wanting something, if it's meant to be then it will eventually find a way to becoming yours! I never in a million years thought that I would be the proud owner of a cool little Mini.