The Old Lady Mobile
Posted on January 10, 2008 - Filed Under Vent
A car salesman once insinuated that I was too old to get the little sports car I wanted. Now, mind you, it was not a Corvette or anything nearly as pricey as that. But I like sportier cars and being on the short side, I had my eye on one particular make and model that I liked, could get in and out of easily enough, and see over the steering wheel as well as over the rear of the car when backing up. Plus, I had no children, a good job and I worked hard for my money so I thought I could have what I wanted for my first “brand new” car.
Well, I was “gently reminded” that I was getting older by the salesman and my now ex-husband didn’t really support me either. They both talked me into a larger (very slightly used) car that I thought of as being an “old lady mobile.” The car ended up being a decent car and hardly gave us any problems aside from needing its transmission replaced shortly after we bought it. So maybe I shouldn’t be complaining, but really, who wouldn’t feel insulted and then resent the car a little for that? And I never did love that car. I should have stuck up for myself but didn’t really know what to do when even my husband seemed to want the old lady car for me as well. And when I think back on it, I sometimes think I should have killed that salesman. But then, I found out a few years after our purchase, that the salesman had passed away so I’m kind of glad that I didn’t kill him after all. I’d have ended up feeling bad (plus I’d be in jail and THAT wouldn’t be fun).
But I guess what I really want to know is why is it acceptable for a man to have a mid-life crisis at the age of 50 and run out and buy an expensive, sporty car like that? Why aren’t they shown the “little old man cars?”
How old was I when this all transpired? Thirty years young.
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26 Responses to “The Old Lady Mobile”
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Wow. That is extremely ignorant!! There is absolutely no reason as to why you couldn’t have it. Maybe you would’ve upstaged your ex. Who knows what some of these people think. It’s hard to like something you didn’t want in the first place.
It really is and the sad thing is I did respect the car because it did ride well and didn’t give us any headaches except for that one. But it just wasn’t what I wanted so I feel like the car and I both got the crappy end of the deal.
30? Really…. thirty? I suppose that’s considered mid-life for females now. Geez.
I know - can you believe that? sheesh. Double standards, anyone?
Lol… I’m glad your not in jail for killing a car salesman.
Yeah, me too.
It’s more fun here on the outside.
Probably two things contributed…
1. The salesman probably had no money and a crapheap to drive and couldn’t bear the thought of a ‘little lady’ driving around in something better than him
2. Men seem to think women can’t drive as well (if the thousands of jokes are anything to go buy) so perhaps he was worried you’d crash it.
Either way….what a jerk!
Yeah, I still haven’t figured it out except for the part that he was a jerk. LOL
well, thats just rude! I think I would have killed the husband as well as the salesman! LOL
Yeah, I know. Probably part of the reason why he’s not my husband anymore. LOL Seriously he just was not one to speak up and I think he just maybe liked the old lady mobile better than I did. I dunno.
My expensive vehicle is my big red 4wd pickup truck. It’s not so new now, but it’s still my toy!
(and, no, the secret<) is not an expensive, sporty car — stay tuned)
P.S. You should be able to drive anything you want to! (unless you can’t see over the dashboard.)
Oh, you really do enjoy torturing people with your little digs and not giving anything away! LOL. Oh, I sooooo agree with you about being able to drive anything you want unless you can’t see over the dashboard. Or if you just can’t see period. LOL
Hmm, yeah that figures! 30 years young too.
Did they pat you on the head too?
Oh, that would’ve done them in for me. I would’ve gone and bought myself some dentures just so I could whip them out and use them in my hand to bite them and chew them up with! Grrrrr! I hate head pats. Seriously.
OMG, Teeni!! Is this really what I should be hearing a mere 80 days out from my 30th birthday?!?!?! Am I going to be lumped into the “too old” category? How can I be too old for anything? That’s crazy, baby! You should have bought that car, Teeni. I can totally see you driving a sports car, and I can totally NOT imagine you in an old lady mobile! You’re WAY too cool for that.
Well, I don’t see how 30 is in any way old. I still don’t see 40 or 50 as being old. I actually think 60 is still young too. So you’re not really old until you’re in your 80’s as far as I’m concerned. And even then, it’s all how you feel. LOL. Thanks for thinking I’m cool, Hannah. I have good buddies who help keep me young.
YOU Should have been able to buy that! Okay that guy would have pissed me off! LOL!
oops did I use a word that you dont like?
Hell no I don’t mind that word, and yes I was QUITE pissed off then!
Good I just know how you like to keep this blog family oriented didnt know if that was
Okay must lie down as I am quite tired. though I spent my day cooking and sleeping 
ARGGG I could gladly become a contract killer when I hear stories like this!
HOW insulting!!!
I am VERY glad that your first husband is now history…
30?????
YIKES!!!!
Steam is coming out of my ears as I write..lol.
Hannah, age IS so relative.
It is ALL how you feel and obviously how you have taken care of yourself.
My Mom is 93 and still has a boyfriend, so remember kiddies, life is still good even after 80!!
I keep forgetting your mom’s age, Merri. LOL. Maybe she does too and that is what keeps her young? LOL. Anyway, thanks so much for understanding how I felt.
It has nothing to do with your age, and everything to do with the salesman wanting to unload a toad with a higher profit margin on a woman. I sold cars and saw plenty of that kind of stuff. I hated that everyone thought I was like that too.
Oh, wow - that’s right - I forgot you sold cars too! I never even thought of that being a higher profit margin car but now that you said it - it does make sense. Hmm. Food for thought and lessons for the future for me. I’m so glad you came by tonight!
oh the gall of that man! Though I am glad you didn’t do anything you might have regretted.
But you totally should have bought the car you wanted.
How about going out and getting it now?
I actually now have my very first brand spanking new car. TGH and I bought it two years ago and I still love it today as much as the day we bought it. The seat fits me like a glove, I can see over the steering wheel, hood, and the rear of the car when backing up. Plus, I’ve got all wheel drive which is great for the New England weather conditions. I love my car now! Thanks for asking that, Kami!
Damn right, I think all men over 50 should be forced to trade in their current wheels for “grandpa mobiles”..i.e. “wood-panelled station wagons”…ohhh yeah
I was thinking the double standard is a little unfair though. 
LOL. I don’t know how many of THOSE I want to see on the roads.
If someone told me I was too old to by a sports car at the age I am right now, I would have asked for another salesman so the rude jackarse wouldn’t get any commission. Maybe then he’d learn some manners.
I’m sure that sports car is *much* better suited for some overindulged teenager with raging hormones who’s watched “Fast and Furious” ten thousand times. They are the ones who needs the granny cars!
I really don’t get people’s logic sometimes, at all…
Good point, AntiBarbie! Exactly, because young’uns need even more temptation to own a car that they might possibly kill themselves in. Sheesh. Haven’t we heard enough stories about the teenagers who are just about to graduate or just graduated and ended up wrapped around a tree? My niece lost a few of her friends when she was a teenager this way. The need for speed can make you bleed. <–My new motto.
We are really different. I want an old VW van.
~peace
LOL. Oh my leftover little hippie friend. I just saw one of those recently. The guy was all proud of it and then it wouldn’t start for him. I thought he was gonna have to call for a tow but it eventually started. You just reminded me of that. Sorry. I’m always going off on tangents. That’s me.
Is the guy with the van the Yard Sale guy? He loved that thing. He had a racing video game that had his van in it, so he said he liked riding it so much he used it in the game too, even though he couldn’t win a race with it.
Yeup - it was the yard sale guy. LOL. Yeah, he was hooked on that old clunker.
Car sales men can be so annoying and pushy! Next time you will be ready for battle though and you will get that car you want! When are you buying yourself a new car?
LOL. You are right, Talina - I would definitely be ready for a battle the next time after this happened. But TGH and I did just two years ago, finally buy me my very first BRAND NEW car! And I still love it as much as the first day we bought it. They didn’t try to talk me into anything else (and it’s a good thing I might add).
Yard Sale Guy…so what ARE you guys insinuating…?
The VW Van guy that I was talking about before was a guy who came by our house when we were having a yard sale, so don’t be reading darker things into that! LOL
Yes she ALWAYS forgets/ignores her age..
Isn’t that a great attitude?
(must add that my mom had me at the grand old age of 42 so that is another myth we can squelch!)
Wow Merri! Your mom is my idol! And I LOVE her attitude. I’m on a good start too because I’m always forgetting things and sometimes my age is one of them.
lol i want a mustang when I get older thats a dream LOL!
thats a typical story at car dealers though teeni, but I bet they get a bit more pushy with women…
The other day, I went to get the engine oil change and ended up getting talked into getting the service pkg of 399.99 vs 199.99 and on top of that some other expenses and all of it turned out to be $810.. (timing belt was the most expensive item)
Now THAT I think was a bit too exaggerated especially when I was thinking an expense somewhere around $50
And I am sure there were a lot of things I could live without…
Im glad you are happy with your new car though
PS: that’s a lengthy comment, isn’t it? well, i have to compensate for so many absences here!
Aww, hi Pearl. I love lengthy comments but I don’t want you to feel pressure. We all get busy and although I do end up missing people I understand cuz I get busy myself. You comment when you can and I’m happy with that!
And yes, I think you are right that women do get taken advantage of (STILL in this day and age) when it has anything to do with cars. Sheesh.
who cares what they have to say?!? are they driving the car…no, you are.
Good point, Ariell! Thanks for that!
So have you gotten the little sporty car yet? You ought to!
Well, the car I have now is sportier than the old lady mobile but not considered a sports car. But I absolutely love it! It is like a car but a little higher off the ground than a regular car so it is almost like a mini-SUV and it has four wheel drive which definitely comes in handy around here! And funny, as I wrote this I was thinking, darn - if only I had had Red with me that day you know I would have come home with the car I originally wanted. LOL. But all’s well that ends well.
I don’t know what it is with car salesmen but tact, diplmacy thoughtfulness don’t appear to be part of their make up.
The first car I bought with my own money - I chose - I took a test drive - I paid deposit - but when I went to collect (with my husband) the car salesman looked at him and asked him who would be the owner and registered keeper!!! excuse me >> banging the desk as I continued to write out the cheque …grrrr
You are right - truly diplomacy and thoughtfulness seem to have skipped that breed. How annoying for the salesman to not recognize you after you were the one to pay the deposit. They must go to a special school to unlearn any class and tact they might have had before becoming salesmen.