Should I? Should I Not?

There are articles in newspapers and magazines and reports on the radio (NPR, of course) that now is the time to buy a car if you're in the market. So today I test-drove a Hyundai Accent, their version of the Beetle. It's a cute car as you can see. It's much like the Beetle inside--except for that unbelievably deep dash, and not even that different on the outside; lighter weight, I'm pretty sure, but remarkably similar.

But do I want to buy a car? Am I really "in the market?"

I have my adorable and much loved 10-year-old blue Beetle, which, as I explained before, is dear to me as more than just a car. And in addition to all that emotional baggage, it's my first car that's been my very own. And it's my first new car, having always driven used cars before that were selected by my now ex-husband. Do I want to abandon it? Can I?

I think that because I just used the word abandon in that last sentence I probably won't buy an Accent. Financially there are good reasons: low interest rates, my ability to add to the trade-in I'm given so that my loan would be smaller, eager car dealers who are giving the best deals ever.

But ... but ... but ... do I want to buy a car? I told the young salesman, Matt, today to call me in two weeks; I know I'll have decided by then. And right now I'm thinking that if I can hold off for another 6 years--not an impossibility with this car--I'll be getting a Social Security check from which I could make the payments (that's of course relying on the premise that my entire retirement fund will NOT have disappeared!). Or maybe I should think about holding off longer and like my mom, sell it to a grandchild. (That's a joke, FHS!)

Since I have so little running around in my head right now I have the tools available to torture myself while moving towards a decision. Feel free to enter your opinion and just muddy my thinking even more.