All the hard work has paid off, as Amy Tokic picks a replacement for her 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier and brings home a Volkswagen Eos. To catch up on the Going Topless series, check out the full archive of Going Topless stories.

I had a weekend to make up my mind about the 2008 Eos. Yes, it’s “used” but “Certified Pre Owned” doesn’t sound so bad. And by all accounts it looked and felt new.

I knew my stuff – what similar cars were out there, what features they had and how much they were going for. If the Eos was a category on “Jeopardy,” I would dominate the board and dazzle Mr. Trebek with my mad VW skills. So what was it going to be?

Hells, yes – this was my car. I could wait to see what else was going to pop up on the market, but that was a gamble. And considering what I had seen, nothing was going to come close. I mean 44,000 kms (27,000 miles) and fully loaded? I wasn’t going to take any chances.

Crunching the Numbers

So let’s talk numbers, shall we? The dealership was asking $23,000 CDN – I got it for $22,000. Compare that to the $53,000 (with taxes) price tag for the brand new model with the same trim line. I also got the extended Assurance Premium two-year warranty (with two-year Roadside Assistance) on top of it, no extra charge. And because it was certified pre-owned, my Eos would be delivered to me in as-new condition. It went through a 112-point inspection. The interior was detailed. They threw in new tires, rims, wheel bearings and brakes. The bumper had a small scratch on it so it was repainted. It looked and smelled brand new. On top of all that, I got a sweet T-shirt and a chew toy for Oscar.

With my Volkswagen purchase, I received a slew of cool freebees. As a Platinum Plus member, I get some pretty sweet perks too. My first visit to the service department is on the house. I can also earn up to 10% toward the purchase of my next VW vehicle and I can present my Platinum Plus card to various stores around town to take advantage of discounts (I’m going to pass on the 20 percent discount on unlimited tanning, but I will check out the super-yummy gluten-free bakery).

Putting the Past Behind Me

I was nervous when it came to actually picking up my new car. I felt bad trading in my old Cavalier – it got me through a lot of miles over the past 12 years and I knew she was going to be put down. But I did get to keep a little souvenir of our past together – her licence plates. They were chipped and flaking, so I want to go with fresh plates for the new car. Maybe i’ll build a little shrine in my extra parking spot.

Dotting the I’s, Crossing the T’s

The process took longer than I thought — there were a lot of papers to sign and details to go over. A mechanic went over the changes and repairs as well as the maintenance schedule. He showed me under the hood – even that looked clean and organized. I then went over the financing information. I was putting down a sizable down payment and the rest was borrowed through Volkswagen’s financing program. Because of the amount I was borrowing, it was cheaper to go through VW than my own bank (3.99% vs. 5.14%). I also liked that I could pay down any amount over and above my monthly payment penalty-free. If I won the lottery tomorrow (very unlikely considering I never buy a ticket), I could pay off my loan without an extra charge – and I really want to pay it off before the end of my three-year term.

Features A-Plenty

Every feature on my Eos is new to me. Power windows, locks and mirrors, an alarm system, heated seats – I’ve never had them before. One of the features I like the most, which surprises me, is the satellite radio. It has SiriusXM and I have no idea why it’s activated in my car. I haven’t paid for it and I don’t want to ask any questions in case someone turns it off. I’m addicted to it already. I’ve only programed a few stations, including the Pearl Jam and Lithium stations, but I have no idea what other ones are out there. It looks like that will be my next weekend project. And, of course, you’re more than welcome to offer recommendations – just leave them in the comments section below.

Extra Perks

Since I run a freelance business on the side, I can write off the purchase of my Eos. I’ve kept all the papers in one folder, so I know where everything is and can pull them out at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s income tax time or I need to replace something, it’s nice to know that I won’t have hours of panicked searches in my future.

What surprised me the most was the change to my car insurance. I spoke to my insurance agent, he made the changes to the policy and the huge difference to my yearly amount was… $14. Less than my 2000 Chevy Cavalier! I asked him if he knew that the Eos was a convertible. He said he knew that. And that it was a 2008 model. Yep, he got that too. I couldn’t believe that my old rust-busted ride’s insurance was more than the shiny new convertible. But who am I to argue – I’ll take that $14 savings and spend it on air fresheners and fuzzy dice.

Driving my new Eos home was an unbelievable moment – it didn’t feel real until that moment (Note: it also felt pretty real the first time my car payment came out of my bank account.) I love how it stops automatically when I use the brakes. In the old ride, I had to plan ahead at least 10 feet in advance to ensure I eventually stopped. And although I’ve only driven with the top down twice (November is pretty cold here, even with heated seats), I take the top off to impress friends and curious onlookers. Every time it comes down, I sing the theme to The Transformers cartoon. I’m pretty sure that’s going to stick until the novelty wears off (which may be never). I can’t wait to show it off in the spring – I’ve already started thinking ahead with a play list of tunes worthy of convertible cruising… and once again, suggestions are always welcome.

Things Learned:

The next time around, I’m going to look for a car on my own again. It was an awesome feeling to realize that I don’t need anyone with me for such a huge purpose. And since there weren’t a dozen other car opinions coming at me from all directions, I am confident that I chose the car I truly wanted. It’s so amazing when someone admires my car and says “well done.” I can now respond with “I know, thanks!”

Have reputable resources available to help answer questions. I was lucky enough to have Anne Fleming of Women-drivers.com and LeeAnn Shattuck from Women’s Automotive Solutions in my corner. They were a wealth of information and always had great ideas to get me through the tough parts. And you can feel free to use them too – both sites have car-buying articles, advice and female-friendly dealerships.

If I hadn’t written this series of articles, I would have bought the first car I test drove. I realize that you may not have the luxury of being able to write for AutoGuide, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hold yourself accountable in other ways. Social media and blogging are both fantastic ways to share your experiences with the rest of the world. The possibilities are endless – just make sure you stick to them so you can achieve your desired outcome.

Next Up:

I’ll check back with you in the summer to fill you in on how my Eos handled winter driving and how much fun it is to cruise with the top down once it warms up.

In the mean time, start your own new car shopping experience in the AutoGuide.com new car shopping section.

To catch up on the Going Topless series, check out the full archive of stories here. 

After some less than stellar results with private sellers and dealerships, Amy Tokic gives a CPO Eos a second look at a Volkswagen Dealership. With this be the third strike?

After taking the 2012 Eos out for a spin and seeing the final price tag, I realized that, right now, owning brand new just isn’t in the cards. My saleswoman at the Volkswagen dealership, Stacy, was on the hunt for a used Eos. They had one in stock, but it was a 2007 and had about 70,000 miles already clocked on it. No dice. I wasn’t sure I would hear from Stacy again. After all, we are closing in on winter and it seems that the demand for the Eos is quite low. There isn’t much stock out there.

So when Stacy finally called a few weeks later with a line on a Certified Pre Owned (CPO) Eos, I was surprised. And this one sounded amazing – a 2008 Eos, well-equipped, with only 27,000 miles and a Candy White exterior. It came with all the trimmings – leather interior, wind screen, satellite radio, dual climate control and heated seats. The price: $22,990. Not bad. I needed to take a closer look at this one.

When I went into the dealership, Stacy said they had just got it in the day before. They hadn’t even bought it yet. And they weren’t going to buy it if I didn’t want it. I had 24 hours to decide … and the clock was ticking (*cue dramatic music).

I went into the dealership bright and early, excited to see if the used Eos matched up to the new one. And if she hadn’t told me it was a 2008, I wouldn’t have been able to tell it apart from the 2012 model. When I asked, I learned that there were a few subtle differences, but from where I was standing, I couldn’t pick out them out.

I found that the 2008 Eos handled smoothly, taking on corners like a boss. And since it was sunny, I got to take the top down – although, we did have to crank the heat up a few notches. I got to take it out on the city roads and the highway. Again, no surprises. Just like the new model, the 2008 boasted smooth acceleration, responsive handling and superior stopping power.

Like I mentioned before, it came fully loaded. That’s something I couldn’t even begin to imagine adding on to a new car. Some of the fancier gadgets include park distancecControl, rain sensing wipers, 18-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli 235/40R18 tires, satellite radio (there’s a channel dedicated to Pearl Jam – so awesome), an alarm system with vehicle immobilizer, eight speakers… oh, and did I mention heated seats? It was hard not to like this ride.

When we got back to the dealership, Stacy pointed out a scratch in the bumper, but said that if I bought it, they would fix it up as good as new. As well, they had yet to complete their 112-point inspection. Again, if any problems were detected, they would be fixed as well.

We sat down to talk about some of the important details. She printed out a Car Fax and I was pleased to see that this car had not been involved in any accidents. It was really tempting – but was I ready to make the plunge? After all the research I put into finding the right Eos, was there something better waiting for me or was this as good as it was going to get? Used car buying is a gamble… but was I ready to call and put my cards out on the table?

Things learned:

Read the fine print. I was surprised that the warranty wasn’t included in the CPO. In this case, the CPO just included a 112-point inspection. And even though the VW website goes into detail about the extended warranty, I didn’t realize that it didn’t come automatically. Different automakers offer different CPO standards, so make sure you know exactly what you are getting with your purchase.

Think fast. Even though I only had 24 hours to make up my mind, I was confident enough to make a decision at the end of the day. I had done plenty of research and I knew my stuff. Sometimes, you need to make a decision fast, but it shouldn’t be pressured. I told them that I needed to sleep on the decision and they respected that. In fact, they held on to it while I made my decision. If a dealership uses excessive pressure tactics, be weary.

Weigh all your options – I had to decide if I was going to see a car of this caliber and cost coming my way in the next few months (or ever). Playing the waiting game is a gamble – will a better car come along?

Up Next:

Is the suspense killing you?

Perpetuating the old stereotype of the slimy used car salesman, Amy Tokic has an unforgettable experience at an independent dealership. This continues the streak of bad luck she’s had looking for her VW Eos.

After my surprising experience with the online car scammers, I was ready to head to a dealership. Yep, I wanted to get my hands on an actual (not fake) Eos and had my fingers crossed that this would be a worthwhile endeavor. I mean, how could things get worse? And with that thought, I jinxed myself.

I used the same car listing site as I had for the private sellers and found a lovely 2008 Eos in light blue with Comfortline trim, 59,000 km (36,000 miles) and a $23,995CND (about $20,000 U.S.) price tag. After checking Canadian Black Book, which is our version of Kelley Blue Book, I discovered that the average 2008 Eos at that price actually has more miles on the odometer. So far, so good. I was going in for a closer look.

Now this wasn’t just any ol’ dealership I was heading to – it specialized in fine and luxury automobiles. I was expecting a classy reception.Yeah, not so much. I arrived on the lot and saw the car I was interested in outside. A scout stood at the door of the dealership. He yelled out to ask if I need help and I replied in the affirmative. He came out a few minutes later with the key.

He opened the car door and went over all the basics that I found on the online listing. He asked if I had found it online and looked at the features, and I said I had. He proceeded to tell me about how the car was still under its original warranty, and I pointed out that it would be over at the end of the year. And that’s when the problems started. Here’s a snippet of the conversation (more or less).

The car originally came with a four year, 80,000 km (50,000 mile) warranty. Capable of simple subtraction, I deduced that in this the year of our lord, 2012, the warranty had almost expired. He tried to convince me otherwise, harping on the 80,000-km maximum and ignoring the four-year shelf life.

After spending a few excruciating minutes, I hung up my math teacher’s hat and asked for a test drive.

Like a waiter demanding a tip, he asked if I planned to buy the car that day. I replied honestly, explaining my plan to view several cars before spending, and things only got worse. One tense moment later, I walked away.

That whole process took a total of five minutes. It was the quickest car browsing session I’d ever experienced. And just in case you were wondering, I am never going back to that particular dealership. Ever.

After this eye-opening experience, I reiterated the story to LeeAnn Shattuck, Chief Car Chick at Women’s Automotive Solutions. We laughed at his expense and she gave me some great advice for the next time I went into an independent dealership.

The thing you have to remember, she said, is that these dealerships aren’t held to the same standards as the manufacturer dealerships. That’s why it’s important to research a dealer online before you go in person. Check out review sites – Better Business Bureau, social media posts – anything that will give you an idea about how a dealership operates. Just remember that no dealership will have a completely positive record, so don’t expect it.

Always use CarFax before visiting your prospective vehicle purchase. It’s a couple of bucks, but it could save you big money down the road. This is a non-negotiable fact – you need to see it. Some dealers will offer to show you the AutoCheck. It’s not as detailed as the CarFax, but it’s better than nothing.

Shattuck recommends that you call them before going in. Ask questions about the car you’re interested in. A few include:

1. What did you do to the car to recondition it for resale?
2. Where did you get this car?
3. Is this car a trade in?
4. What fluids were changed?
5. Were the tires changed or are they the same ones that came with the car?
6. Is it certified? Has it gone through green emissions and mechanical inspection testing?
7. What does your internal service process for your cars? Can you outline your standards?
8. Do you inspect the cars yourself or do you send them offsite for testing?
9. Is the car sold as-is?
10. Has the car been smoked in?

Once you establish a rapport with a salesperson, be sure to deal with them exclusively. It’s like following the chain of evidence – with less people handling the information, it’s less likely that some important aspect is going to get lost.

As well, you’ll be able to ascertain how forthcoming they are with information. If they don’t have the information or dodge the question, you can skip that dealer and move onto the next one. Besides, you can get a pretty good idea about what kind of dealer they are after a phone conversation.

Shattuck cautions buyers shopping out-of-state. Regulations don’t always cross those borders when it comes to used cars. For example, California has the strictest car emission laws of any state – if you’re bringing a new used car into Cali, you’d better make sure that car is up to snuff. As well, if there’s a problem with the title and you cross state lines, it becomes an even bigger problem… for you, not the dealership.

When it’s time to go in, you may be pleasantly surprised by the smaller independent dealership. Some places look like a hole in the wall, but the service and cars offered are amazing. On the opposite end of the scale, the most upscale dealerships can turn out to be pretty crap-tacular.

And if all goes well and you’re serious about the purchase, you must take the car to your mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. This is a must if the car is non-CPO and has more than 30,000 miles on it.

Lessons learned:

Listen to that pesky little voice in your head and that feeling in your gut. This is why it’s important to be prepared. This salesman just assumed I knew nothing and was willing to tell me anything to get me to drive the car off the lot that day. Perhaps it was because I am a woman or he just didn’t like my look. Maybe he was just an asshat. Whatever it was, I didn’t dig his vibe or the way he treated me. There are plenty of fish in the sea and that dealership wasn’t the only pond I could dip my pole into.

Stick to your guns. If you know that you’re right, don’t let anyone to you differently, even if they are in a position of so-called expert. Hey, you might be wrong… it’s possible. But it would have been foolish of me to just blindly believe the warranty information the salesman was trying to sell me. Besides, I did some research when I got home and it turns out I was right (like there was any doubt). Take that sleazy salesguy!

Next Up:

Will the third time be the charm? My experience with a CPO Eos.

MINI hid cameras in a few of its dealerships to capture the reactions people had to some pretty unexpected situations. The series, titled Not Normal, features funny videos of car shoppers reacting to weird and quirky antics.

Take the video below as an example. This fellow has no idea what to do when a knight on a unicorn rides into the MINI showroom. He’s got a look on his face that says, “WTF? Am I the only one seeing this?!?”

To watch the Not Normal video series, check out MINI USA’s YouTube channel. You’ll feel much more normal after viewing them.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

In this installment, Amy Tokic goes head to head with online car listings, and comes away disappointed. Need to catch up? You can follow her adventures in car shopping as a single woman in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.

This was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in a long time. I loved both the Volkswagen Eos and the Mazda Miata. The Miata is so cute and sporty – I can see myself scooting around in it during the summer. But the Eos is sleek and classy… and it appeals to my sensible side (yes I do have one, though it prefers to stay out of the limelight and comes out only in the dead of night).

Both of the cars are priced about the same, as the retractable hardtop is considered an upgrade in the Miata. So price wouldn’t be a deciding factor. And it was more than just about looks – I think both are hot and sexy in their own way. What it came down to was safety – what car would I feel safer driving in the winter? And this is where the Eos really pulled ahead.

Now that I had settled on a model, it was time to start pricing out the used cars. Aiming for a 2007 to 2012 model, a used Eos ranges from about $11,240 to $42,264. This is in Canadian dollars, so in the US, similar featured cars I found ranged from $9,995 to $40,205. These cars came with varying degrees of options, as well as miles, from as little as 62 miles (100 km) to as much as 109,000 miles (175,000 km). I aimed for the middle – under $25,000 with as few miles and as many options as possible.

I decided to start my search by looking at non-Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) cars – this involved heading to neighborhood dealerships and contacting private sellers. Now, let me just preface this by pointing out that these are just the experiences I had with dealerships and private sellers. They in no way are meant to stereotype either of these types of sellers. It just so happened that my experiences were not at all positive. Yep, I sure can pick ‘em.

Let’s start with the private sellers. I never did make it out to meet any of the individuals who were selling these cars. That’s because they never existed. That’s right – I picked out the two scammers on the site.

I found these cars on a popular auto listing website. I should have been wary of the listings because of the lower listing prices. Both listings boasted the lowest prices of the used Eos, which should have sounded the alarm bells, but I’m claiming the noob defence.

Let’s start with the first Eos. It was a black 2008 Eos with about 31,000 miles on it, for just $11,500. No accidents, fully featured and about an hour away from where I lived. I sent the seller an email, asking for more information. “Barbara” wrote back fairly quick, stating that the car was in perfect condition. She was selling it at such a low price because she had moved to Europe, but it was still in Canada, ready to be shipped to me. Remember, this was my first encounter with a car scammer, but something didn’t sit right with me. I told her that I’d get back to her in a few days, but before I could, she sent me another email. This one informed me that she had a third party to handle the money transaction and that the car was in Vancouver in storage. This wasn’t the original city listed – Vancouver is a little too far for me to drive to. So basically, she wanted me to deposit the money in an account without seeing it. Yeah, that wasn’t going to fly. I reported the listing to the site and it was taken down – I never saw or heard from Barbara again.

The next one came a few weeks later. This one was a 2007 Eos in dark grey, again in perfect working order, with 30,000 miles, an asking price of $11,240 and was located 30 minutes from my place. This time, I had an inkling that something was amiss. I sent an email asking what was wrong with the car, since it was being sold at such a low price. “Malisa” got back to me with a similar story – she had moved out of the country after a divorce and she wanted to get rid of the car. And even though the listing was for Canada, for some strange reason, the car was being held in South Carolina. So all I had to do was transfer money to a third party (eBay) and the car would be mine. I reported her to the site as a scam, but at press time, the listing was still there. I hope no one gets fooled by this one.

There were a few things that both these listings had in common. They were both the lowest prices for the Eos and they were both being sold by “women.” And I was surprised by the quality of writing in the emails. They were well written – proper grammar usage, no misspelled words and comprehensible. In my experience, they didn’t come off as your typical email scammer. As well, these women had to leave the country and wanted to work with a third party to handle the sale. So it seems like there is a template out there for car scammers… good to know.

A great tip passed along by Autoguide.com Editor-in-Chief Colum Wood is to copy and paste the text from email you receive into Google. I did that with mine and numerous pages popped up that let me know this was a scam. So when I said there was a template out there for scammers to follow, I wasn’t kidding.

Things Learned:

If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. It would have been amazing to get an Eos at such a good deal, but a discount should be the main reason you go with a particular car. Before you agree to purchase a car from a private seller, go see it in person. Don’t rely on a third party to ensure your transaction is legal. In fact, the listing site I found these cars on recommends meeting the seller in person to pay for purchases.

Next Up:

Perpetuating the slimy user car dealer stereotype, as well as tips to arm yourself with before you go in.

The list of convertibles on Amy Tokic’s list gets shorter and she considers the benefits of buying a used car. Catch up on Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and Part 5 of the series as Amy navigates the world of car buying as a single woman.

After test driving the new convertibles and crunching the numbers, I came to a sobering conclusion. Sure, I could manage the monthly payments for five to six years, but do I want to? I’d have to give up a few things – brand-name macaroni and cheese, vacations to warm destinations and new shoes (perhaps the sweetest morsel of them all). I really like all of those things and I’m not willing to give them up for a few years. I have a shoe fetish that must be fed. And for these reasons (along with many more), I’ve decided to go with a used convertible.

It all comes down to wants versus needs. I have decided that I’m going with a convertible, and as such, should expect a higher price tag. But what other factors do I really need? Is it all that important that my car is a 2012 or 2013 model? Nah, not really. How about that it’ll come with a few thousand miles on the odometer? Again, I can live with it. And on the plus side, a few of the older models may come with features that are available as options. So heated seats aren’t out of the question – sweet.

I bought these shoes to go with my new convertible. They’ll match no matter what color car I go with

I spoke with Anne Fleming, President and Car Buying Advocate of Women-Drivers.com, who gave me some awesome advice for used car shopping. You can say that she’s an advocate of used cars – that’s all she ever buys. And even though there’s risk when buying a used car, she reminds us that there’s always a risk, no matter what you do.“Look at what you feel comfortable with,” says Fleming. “It’s a personal thing, it’s your money. There’s no right or wrong answer.” And this bit of advice really helps make my decision to buy used easier.

She advises to look at the difference between the models to determine what you think is a reasonable and affordable option. For me, I’ve narrowed down the years of the models from 2007 to 2010. And breaking it down by miles, features and the car’s history, I’m better able to determine where I’ll get the most bang for my buck.

With my initial research, I have the choice to go with a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) or Non-Certified Pre-Owned. A CPO vehicle is offered by an automaker’s official dealership. It comes with a complete inspection to get it up to as-new condition. It may come with an extended warranty that goes over and above the original warranty that came with the new car. This also means that a CPO will cost more than a Non CPO, which are offered by your neighborhood used car dealer or a private seller.

At first, I was convinced that I should go with a CPO, but after speaking with Fleming, now I’m not so sure. She says that a CPO isn’t always worth the extra cash involved. But if I don’t go with a CPO, I’d better have some “just in case” money to cover repairs needed for my used car. Fleming recommends saving $1,000 per year. And by adding this repair money against the cost difference of a CPO, it will be a useful factor when decided which type of used car to go with.

This is now another factor I have to add into my budget to ensure I have enough to cover my new addition. Some people like the peace of mind that CPO offers, and I was one of them. But now – not so much, especially after comparing prices.

My next step is taking out some used cars for a test drive. I’m going to hit the big three: the brand dealership, the average used car dealership and the private seller. Now, I know I said that I wasn’t going to bring anyone along for the test drive, but for the test drives that involve a private seller, I’m bringing back up. This isn’t to give me an edge in any way – it’s for safety purposes only. Fleming suggested bringing along a warm body because I won’t know the private seller, so I’m bending the rules for this instance.

I’ve also cut my list of four down to two – the Mazda Miata and the Volkswagen Eos. Both of these cars come with the hard top retractable roof, which for my purposes, is a need, not a want. Because of the cold winters, I need a convertible that offers more protection from the elements. As well, it gives me an added sense of security – you can’t slice open this top to get inside these cars. But in the end, there can be only one (who thought I’d be able to drop a Highlander quote into an article about convertibles – but I made it happen). So before I go on my used car journey, I’m going to have to cut it to one choice.

Lessons Learned:

• Don’t let anyone bring you down. After you purchase, you’re going to want to share your exciting news with people around you. How much you love your purchase, what you paid for it, what features it comes with – you’re the proud parent of a revving bundle of joy. But there are people who will try to bring you down by telling you that you were ripped off, that your car is missing important aspects or you should have done something differently. When these people cross your path, ignore them. Don’t let them grind your happy times into the ground with their bitter boots. Everybody has a different way of doing things. The way you purchased your car is the right way. If it works for you and you’re happy with the results, then dagnabbit, you did it right. The process is all about you and what you believe is the best deal for your buck.
• Don’t commit to something you can’t reasonably afford. I so wanted to buy a new car, but I can’t fathom paying a huge monthly cost for the next six years. In order to drive the type of car I want without having to switch to a constant diet of Mr. Noodles, I’m going to have to compromise. And I’m okay with that, because I want the convertible and the new shoes to go along with it.

Next Up:

And the next top convertible is…

In the fifth installment of the series, Amy Tokic takes out her last two picks for a test drive. Miss the other articles? Catch up on all her adventures – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

Test Drive #3: Chevrolet Camaro

I need to push my test drives into high gear. Both steering and the brake fluid have started to leak for my current ride and have left a nasty stain in my parking spot. It’s a good thing my last two test drives were on the same day. (Note: Just after I finished the first draft of this article, my battery died. I had to replace it – it’s not one of those things you can ignore. And now, it sounds like I need to replace my brakes.)

Honest truth time: I was not looking forward to taking out this car. I was doing for my dad, who is pretty pissed that I’m not automatically buying a General Motors product. But I’m a good daughter, so I decided to humor him. This one’s for you, Dad.

The Chevy dealership was pretty average in the looks department. Everyone there was super friendly and a few people came over and introduced themselves while I waited for my sales guy, Mike. We chatted for a bit as he went over the car I’d be taking for a test drive: a 2012 Camaro Convertible, bright orange, highlighted with black racing stripes. It was time to give ‘er!

Although I had never been in one before, I assumed that it would be a huge car. And I was right. I felt less like I was driving a car and more like I was navigating a boat (Arrrrrrr matey!). Instead of having a lot of junk in its trunk, it was all up front. I felt uncomfortable turning into the parking lot with it – I thought I was going to hit the median.

Not everything about the Camaro was bad. I did like the heads-up speedometer display on the window. It was much easier to see and one less thing to worry about. It had a lot of room inside and it made me feel powerful driving it. And I did like Mike the sales guy. We chatted about the weather, school and the car – he was easy going and fun to chat with.

For the test drive itself, we didn’t go far. It was twice around the block, then home Jeeves. We didn’t even make it out on the highway, although I’m sure if I asked, Mike wouldn’t have minded. But he didn’t suggest it. In fact, he had a pre-determined route and we stuck with it. So if this car could give ‘er (and I’m pretty sure it can), I didn’t get a chance to experience it.

Out of the convertibles I had already taken out, this top (soft) took the longest to put up and down (22 seconds). Compare that to the Miata’s 12 seconds – the Camaro’s top sure takes its time.

When we got back to the dealership it was time to crunch some numbers. The model I took out (2012 two-door convertible 1LT) has an MSRP of $31,560. Out of all of the dealerships I visited, GM had the worst financing. If I chose a 60 month financing option, I’d be paying 6.18%. And it didn’t matter how many months it took to pay off –whatever option you chose, it was 6.18%. I guess the Camaro sells well, so they don’t need to offer pricing incentives.

On the plus side, I could take advantage of my dad’s GM discount (my dad even offered to give me all his Visa GM points if I went with the Camaro.) And for the month of October, this dealership is giving away a free iPhone 5 with every new car purchase. Tempting… but no.

Chevrolet Camaro Pluses

Lots of power (so I hear), free iPhone, Dad’s GM Visa points and discount.

Chevrolet Camaro Minuses

Huge front end, high financing, soft top roof, crappy gas mileage (city), mullet wig not included

Chevrolet Dealership Experience

I’d say a 6.5 out of 10. It would have scored higher, but my sales guy still hasn’t followed up with a call. All the other salespeople I dealt with called at least once to see if I had any questions.

Test Drive #4: Volkswagen Eos

I was so excited to take this bad boy out for a spin. Like I said before, this car is the front runner in my search for a convertible. And this test drive also marks the first time I was paired up with a saleswoman.

One of the first things I noticed when I walked into the Volkswagen dealership was that there was a higher percentage of female salespeople than male. My saleswoman’s name was Stacy and she was fairly new to the position. In fact, this was the first Eos she had taken out for a test drive.

I loved watching the retractable roof in action. It was smooth sailing from start to finish. Another bonus is its sunroof, perfect for those days when it’s too chilly to put the rood down, but you need a little fresh air.

After some initial issues with getting the top down (like I mentioned, it was her first time in the Eos), we started off on the test drive. Stacy was behind the wheel for the first few minutes to demonstrate some of the car’s safety features. She pulled a sudden stop on a gravel road to show me how it wouldn’t lose control on unstable road conditions. As well, I appreciated the Eos’s built-in safety features and construction. Even though I’m after a convertible, it doesn’t mean that I’m not safety minded.

When I got my turn behind the wheel, I took it out on a long and winding road. The Eos did not disappoint – it boasts some amazing handling capabilities. I got to take it out on both the city roads and the highway, and loved the way it felt with the top down.

As for Stacy, we got along great. We both have the same breed of dog (a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua mix) and live in the same area. I recommended some bars for her sister’s upcoming birthday party and got the low-down on her career in the automotive industry.

Inevitably, the test drive came to an end and it was time to see how much owning this beauty would cost me. Not surprisingly, a hell of a lot. The Eos had the highest price tag of all the new cars I took out: the Sport model that I test drove starts in price from $36,500 (plus taxes, of course). The dealership did have 0% financing option for 36 months, but even with my down payment, I’d still have to shell out about $670 a month. Ouch. Perhaps it’s time to look at used options…

Volkswagen Eos Pluses

Power start, wind barrier, smooth acceleration, quality safety features, sleek styling, four seats, decent rear visibility (compared to the other models I took out), hard top retractable roof with sunroof.

Volkswagen Eos Minuses

Expensive, less sporty looking than the other convertible models.

Volkswagen Dealership Experience

7 out of 10. Stacy is really determined to put me behind the wheel of an Eos, but most of the contact initiation has been on my part. I would really have liked to have seen her follow up after our first visit.

Things Learned

• My old car knows I’m looking for a replacement. So it’s no surprise that it’s started to crap out. You have to know when enough is enough. I’m glad I started researching and shopping in advance, because if my car is beyond repair, I’m in a better position to not rush out and buy the first car I see. As well, you need to know how much is too much to spend in order to fix it. If it’s under a certain amount, I will fix the problem, because getting it to start isn’t something you can work around.
• Salespeople will call until you tell them you’re not buying your car. I had a salesperson from a dealership I didn’t even go to call me (I was going to go in, but they didn’t have a convertible to test drive). There’s no need to be rude – I found that by just being honest and telling them what I did and didn’t like about the car, they appreciated that I was straight up with them.

Up Next

Cutting down the list and weighting my options.

Do cars and fashion collections mix? Some people certainly think so, but a Chevrolet Malibu?

Back in August, news arrived of fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi’s new collection inspired by the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan. And if you couldn’t wait to get your hands on Malibu Collection, it will be on sale starting on October 16 at noon.

Mizrahi’s Malibu Collection will be for sale exclusively on LivingSocial’s Shop in limited quantities. As for the pieces, says Mizrahi: “The 2013 Malibu is a beautifully designed car. Each piece of my capsule collection was inspired by the features of the car, from the leather seats that feel like they are hugging you, to the ice-blue interior lighting.”

Not only did he take fashion cues from the Malibu, Mizrahi also took style inspiration from everyday women across the country. A few of the pieces in the collection include:

• Malibu Driving Moccasin ($110): Made in Napa leather, with a quilted, cushioned insole. The color was inspired by the Malibu’s Crystal Red Tintcoat color.
• Malibu Colored Skinny Jean ($73): Coated, poppy red color with a touch of stretch to conform to any body type.
• Malibu Oversized Boyfriend Watch ($110): The watch’s blue face is inspired by the Malibu’s interior light, and it’s complemented by silvertone detailing.

If you feel inspired by the Malibu Collection, head over to LivingSocial’s Shop on October 16 to pick up a few items.

In the latest installment of Amy Tokic’s quest for the perfect convertible, she takes the Mazda Miata and MINI Cooper Convertible for a spin. You can catch up on all her car shopping adventures in Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the series.

TEST DRIVE #1: MAZDA MX-5 MIATA

My first test drive of the day (and of this series) was the Mazda Miata. I went fairly early in the morning during the week, so I wouldn’t have to deal with Saturday shoppers. As well, I made an appointment the day before to ensure that a salesperson and car would be waiting for me.

The Mazda dealership looked like any other dealership I’d ever gone into. Clean, lots of cars, lots of banners announcing special deals and a smattering of desks – yep, a typical dealership. I announced my arrival to the receptionist, who remembered that I had called the day before (bonus points). She paged the salesperson that would be assisting me (Chris) and assured me that I’d like him.

Chris happened to be the assistant manager of the dealership and he explained the Miata we’d be taking out. It was a 2011 GT model, brand new, retractable hardtop and shiny black. I loved the keyless entry and start-up – I just put the keys in my purse once I started the car. But upon entry, I realized that there wasn’t any room for my purse. Either Chris has to hold it on his lap the entire ride (not very manly), it would have to sit on the armrest or it would have to sit on the floor. Since there was no way I was putting in on the floor (even if this is a new car) and Chris didn’t seem all that eager to have it sit on his lap, I went with the armrest.

The thing is when you’re taking a test drive it’s hard to remember what the salesperson is saying about the car’s key points. I was too busy making sure that I wasn’t going to get into an accident or have him soil his pants as a result of my driving skills. And it’s not like you can take notes – I’m pretty sure that counts as distracted driving.

After driving an older car for so long, you really do forget how a car is supposed to drive and handle – or maybe the Miata is just that good. I was very gentle on the gas and brake – a light tap on the pedal was sufficient. In fact, Chris had to brace himself with his hands on the dash after a few sudden stops.

I love how fast the Miata is, though it does require vigilance when sticking to the speed limit. Chris suggested I take it past 59 mph. I blinked and we were doing 80. I have no idea how that happened… I couldn’t believe a car could make that much of a jump in so little time. Chris then calmly suggested I take it take it down a few notches – I’m sure he didn’t want my first experience in the Miata to garner me a hefty speeding ticket.

As for the salesman, I found Chris to be fun, knowledgeable and a bit flirty – in other words, a great experience. I particularly liked the part when he asked if I was a recent grad because I would qualify for certain incentives (lots of bonus points). I don’t know if it was just a line, but let me tell you – it totally made my day.

The test drive lasted for about 40 minutes – Chris asked me if I wanted to take it out longer, but I had another test drive to get to. I got to test it out on the highway and the city to see how she could handle. And I have to say, I was impressed with both. We spent another 30 minutes going over pricing and financing options. Needless to say, the car I took out was not the base model, so I was looking at a car that was a bit over my price range – but not so much that it was out of the question.

Mazda Miata Pluses:

Super cute looks, quick acceleration, smooth shifting, convertible top speed (on and off), keyless entry and start, ease of convertible top.

Mazda Miata Minuses:

No room for my purse, small trunk, extra cost for the hardtop model, some rearview visibility issues.

Mazda Dealership Experience:

I’d give it 8 out of 10. It was fun to drive and a great overall experience in the dealership.

TEST DRIVE #2: MINI COOPER CONVERTIBLE

Next up was the MINI. I was looking forward to trying this bad boy on for size. MINI does such a great job branding this car. It looks cute (but not too cute), peppy and uber hip.

The dealership is located right downtown, which makes sense – it’s marketed as an urban-type vehicle that works well in the city. The dealership itself an extension of the MINI brand – modern, hip, cool, eclectic. The space was modern, the design was cool and there was a lounge that I could picture being full of hipsters on a Friday night.

But what struck me was the staff. Everyone was polite, but not friendly. I got the distinct feeling like I was back in high school and I wandered into the cool kids’ clique. They weren’t going to stuff me in a locker or give me a wedgie, but it was hard to ignore the vibe that I just wan’t hip enough to belong.

The receptionist greeted me without a smile, and it set the tone for the whole visit. The salesman, too, was polite, but no warmth. We sat down at his desk, where he asked filled me in as to the car I’d be test driving – the 2012 MINI Cooper Convertible. He asked if I had any questions (I didn’t at the time) and we were on our way.

If you’ve ever been in a MINI before, the first thing you notice are the gauges. This is because they are so freakin’ huge. If you get caught speeding in a MINI, there’s no way you can use the excuse that you didn’t know how fast you were going. I liked the cool key that started the car – it’s a plastic disk you insert in the dash.

My test drive took me around the city, where there was a lot of construction. It wasn’t until we hit the highway that I got to see what this little car could do. And as it turns out, not as much as I hoped. When I started to “give ‘er”, I could feel the shift as it moved through the different gears. On top of that, the rearview visibility, with the top up or down, is horrible. I know that with a convertible, this will always be a problem, but in the MINI, I couldn’t see anything behind me.

The longer I drove the MINI, the more it felt like I was riding in a shoebox. It sits close to the ground and is too stiff for my liking. Feeling sturdy is one thing, but this car certainly doesn’t soak up the bumps.

Perhaps I had been spoiled on my first test drive. Chris was friendly and talkative, whereas the MINI salesguy only talked to give me directions. I tried to pull some conversation out of him, but he was on a mission – to take me out, bring me back to the dealership and give me the pricing options. Kind of the opposite of a wham, bam, thank you ma’am.

Once the test drive was over, we went back into the dealership to crunch some numbers. I had a few options of different convertible models to choose from that fit into my budget. But if I’m going to be spending that kind of cash, I want to be completely satisfied. I was more than a little disappointed about the disparity between the MINI brand and my overall experience. I felt cheated. It’s not looking too good for MINI at this point.

MINI Cooper Convertible Pluses:

Cool key, compact size, plenty of room for a small car, great service package included (once a year service with a loaner car while it’s in the shop).

MINI Cooper Convertible Minuses:

Stiff and slow ride, no rear visibility, gaudy gauges, too-cool staff gave me high school flashbacks (not in a good way).

MINI Dealership Experience:

5 out of 10. It can be summed up in one word – Meh. And yes, meh is a word. Colum did tell me that it may be because MINI is actually owned by the Germans… perhaps my dealership experience was Germanic.

Things Learned

• Taxes suck. When I put together my budget for my new car, I didn’t really factor in the taxes. Freight, administration fees, Air Conditioning Excise Tax (WTF?!) – they all add up. Depend on where you live, it can mean a few extra thousand on top of the price of the car.
• Give yourself enough time between test drives. You don’t want to rush or miss any important points.
• If you forget to ask a question, don’t be afraid to call the salesperson back. They should be happy to answer any question you have. If they don’t get back to you in a timely manner, move on to another dealership.
•  I’m going to have to learn to rely on my mirrors to see what’s behind me. That’s going to take some getting used to.

Up Next

Tales from The Beauty (Volkswagen Eos) and The Beast (Chevrolet Camaro).

Knitting is the new “it” DIY hobby and MINI is hoping to cash in on the trend.

That’s why the uber-hip automaker has teamed with uber-hip lifestyle knitting label Wool and the Gang for its latest promotion. You can impress all your hipster friends with your own “MINI & Wool and the Gang” knitting kit.

This limited run of knitting sets lets you knit your own LULA HOOP scarf in the MINI Countryman paint shade True Blue Metallic. Wool and the Gang’s MINI kit comes with two balls of 100 percent Peruvian “crazy sexy wool”, one pair of 15 millimeter knitting needles, a sewing needle, care instructions, a loop pattern and special MINI/Wool and the Gang logo sew-on badge. The company says its kit is appropriate for beginners or experts and makes a great holiday gift.

If you think it’s hip to be square, you can pick up a MINI & Wool and the Gang knitting kit for €75.00 (that about $97, making it a pretty expensive scarf). But if you’ve just gotta have it, you can buy it from the Wool and the Gang online shop.

It’s been about 12 years since I’ve been in a dealership – and my dad was with me. I have to admit, I was a little nervous heading into the car dealership on my own (perhaps the two cups of coffee before I left weren’t such a great idea). It also helped that I was well prepared before even setting foot into the dealership.

A HELPING HAND

The idea of this series is to go it alone. But I do have some backup help – LeeAnn Shattuck, Chief Car Chick at Women’s Automotive Solutions, and Anne Fleming, President and Car Buying Advocate at Women-Drivers.com. These female friendly automotive experts know their stuff when it comes to women and car buying, so I feel like I have some big-time heavy hitters in my corner.

Something that will make going into a car dealership less stressful is to know that you are never going to buy a car that day. Ever. It’s just a bad idea. Buying is often based on emotion. I’m the first to admit that I’m guilty of emotional purchasing (you should see my shoe collection). There’s a distinct possibility that if I wasn’t writing these articles, I would buy the first car I drove. This is why it’s a good idea to leave your credit cards at home or bring a friend who will smack you on the nose with a rolled up newspaper the moment you start humping a car salesperson’s leg. You do that and you pretty much lose your negotiating power.

A great tip I got from Shattuck is to research the dealership before you go in. I just typed in the car brand and the city into Google and up popped reviews. There are sites dedicated to dealership reviews (Women-Drivers.com gives reviews based on the female car-buying experience). Of course, it’s going to be hard to find a dealership that has a 100 percent approval rate, but if it’s getting more nays than yays, it’s probably a good idea to find a different dealership to visit. You can even check up on a dealership using the Better Business Bureau – the better the grade, the better the dealership.

FEW CONVERTIBLES LEFT FOR LATE-SEASON TESTING

Another issue I had to deal with was the fact that in October, there aren’t as many convertibles to test drive. I had to phone a few different dealerships to see if they had any in stock. In the end, I did find a few dealerships that had a couple of test convertibles (though, these ones may not have been my first choice). Even if it wasn’t the exact model I was interested in, it was close enough for me to get a general idea of what I liked and didn’t like with that car.

A great tip, courtesy of LeeAnn, is to make an appointment with the dealership with a specific person, instead of just dropping in. That way, you have a dedicated expert with you no matter how busy it is. Tell them exactly what you’re looking for in a particular model, including options and trim levels. If you don’t, the salesperson is going to put you in a top-of-the-line model that’s decked out with all the bells and whistles. And it’ll be hard to say no to heated seats once you have a warm bum. Remind the salesperson that you’re just looking and you have other models you’re interested in, so don’t expect a sale. Let them know they have an hour to wow you, and the clock is ticking!

Anne Fleming mentioned to me that if I didn’t have the money to spend on a new car, it was best if I didn’t test drive one. And I can see why. Once you drive new, you can never go back. So before you step into the dealership, sort out your finances. Get your credit score, check out your bank’s line of credit financing and call in any outstanding loans – you’re going to need all the cash you can get. Remember to allow for any needed extras and upgrades, taxes and fees.

I’m nervous going in for a test drive, I’ll admit it. But I’m also excited. It’s another step toward getting the car I’ve dreamed of. And I can start buying shoes I know will look good with my new convertible. Never underestimate the importance of accessorizing.

THINGS LEARNED

• Leave your heels at home. Sure, I can drive in my car with heels, but in a car I’m not used to… that’s another matter. Slip on your sneakers for your first test drive to ensure you’re in total control during the ride.
• Choose decaf. Being wired during a test drive of a car I had no experience with can be nerve wracking. If you’re anything like me, save the caffeine for after the drive is over.
• Know your limits before even going into the dealership. It will give you an idea if you can afford the base model or one that’s fully equipped.

UP NEXT

My first two test drives – the Mazda Miata and the MINI Cooper Convertible.

Welcome to the second part of our new series ‘Going Topless’ where writer Amy Tokic goes on a journey to find her ideal convertible.  Did you miss her first article, chronicling the decision to get her dream car? Check it out right here.

It may be tedious, but research is invaluable. Without it, my car-buying search will be a crap shoot. Literally – I will be stuck paying and driving a crap-mobile. I want to come out of this experience smelling like roses, so I’m putting in my fair share of car research.

As with any good search, I start my sleuthing on the Internet (seriously, what did we do before the web came around?). And research is important – I want to be equipped with all the facts before I make my way into the dealership. I’ve looked at reviews, features, specs and prices on a plethora of different cars.

The downside of the Internet is that there is so much intel available it can be overwhelming. Am I getting everything I need? What if I miss some important piece of information? I found that this kind of thinking can stop the car buying process in its tracks. So, I’m going to get enough information that I feel confident that I know what’s important to me. Going from novice to car expert in a few weeks or months is impossible, so I’m going to go out there with what I know and learn along the way.

After some Internet research, I’ve narrowed down the shortlist to four picks and what I like most about each one, as well as a list of pros and cons from sites (like this one) that offer unbiased reviews. If you’re conducting a search, Google the year, make and model, as well as the word “review.” Be sure to read what the pros and the average Joes are saying about the car you are interested in.

1. Mazda Miata: Cute and sporty, the Miata makes me feel like I should be cruising around the Italian countryside. It comes in soft and hard top options, with the hard top being retractable. It may be small, but it packs a punch. This two-seat roadster has a 2.0L 4-cyl. engine, manual transmission and gets up to 22 City/28 Hwy mpg.

Starting price: $23,470.

Pros: Super fun to drive; great steering and handling; just like the original, but better; retractable hard-top is awesome.

Cons: Crappy stereo; tight squeeze in the trunk.

2. MINI Cooper Convertible: Hip and cool, this trendy convertible is compact while still packing a punch. This mini compact has a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual transmission and gets 27 City/35 Hwy mpg.

Starting price: $25,850.

Pros: Sharp handling; great fuel economy; hip look with plenty of options to choose from; innovative convertible roof; perfect vehicle for robbing a shipment of gold (just ask Michael Caine).

Cons: Poor rear visibility; lacks rear legroom; questionable reliability; only available in a soft top.

3. Volkswagen Eos: Sleek and stylish, the Eos is cool without the sporty showiness. Plus, I love the retractable hardtop with the built-in sunroof. Hands down, the front runner of my list – and of course, it is the most expensive. The Eos seats four, has a 2.0L 4-cyl. engine and gets up to 22 City/30 Hwy mpg.

Starting price: $34,350

Pros: Innovative retractable hardtop with large power moonroof; Good performance and handling; Rock solid body structure, sleek exterior.

Cons: Lots of junk in the small trunk; built for comfort, not speed; the most expensive of my picks.

4. Chevrolet Camaro: Buff and muscle-bound, the Camaro runs on mullets and Whitesnake. Like I mentioned before, my dad is a GM man and this car is made in my hometown. If I didn’t take at least one GM car out for a half-hearted spin, I was told I’d be cut out of the will. This is what you’d call the pity test drive. It has a 300+ horsepower 3.6L V6 engine, a manual transmission, and gets up to 17 City/28 Hwy mpg.

Starting price: $30,660

Pros: Strong acceleration with any engine, which give you the opportunity to really “give ‘er”; head-turning looks; good V6 fuel economy; my pick of the gear heads who flock to this car when I visit the folks at the old homestead.

Cons: Poor visibility; budget interior; cramped backseat; crap-tacular gas mileage in the city.

My Budget:

$20,000-$35,000

I’ve got about half of that saved, so the rest will be financing or dipping into a line of credit. I’ll be talking about leasing and financing in a future article. Convertibles are more expensive, but I knew that fact going into the process and have planned for it. Because of this, I have to decide what is needed rather than what is wanted. I would love to have heated seats (perfect for cold winters), but on my budget, that might not happen. Same goes for GPS navigation. I’ll just have to do it the old fashioned way and stop at a gas station to ask for directions.

It’s going to be hard giving up my hard-earned cash and shelling out for a monthly payment. My other car was paid off right from the start, so this will be new to me. I’m glad I have a big chunk of the down payment already, but I’ll have to add the leftover debt to my budget – which will be another factor on how much I can afford.

Things Learned:

Even the smallest step helps to alleviate some of the worry and fear associated with the whole car-buying process. The internet is a great resource to get you going and it makes you feel like you are in control of the whole process. I’m going to get as much info on all four of these cars as I can before heading in, researching even more reviews and looking up other data on consumer sites. And learning is great, ‘cause knowledge is power!

Next Up:

I venture into a few new car dealerships to start my first round of test drives. Ladies, start your engines…