Buying a New Car

I'm old enough now that I no longer choose a new car on looks or ability to generate high testosterone levels. I'm more interested in comfort, price, and economy, though I still enjoy the occasional romp in my soon-to-be-sold, loud, red Mustang 5.0.

When I first started shopping for a new car back in November of last year, I was looking for something small, basic and cheap. (Cheap becomes important when your fixed income has to cover ever-increasing prices on just about everything.) I do some computer consulting on Linux, and had thoughts of expanding, so I needed a bit of easily accessible space, and fold down seats. The Toyota Yaris Hatchbox seemed to fit my needs, as did several other small cars and wagons in the under-$10,000 class. Then I discovered something else about the older me. I dislike being ignored by sales people, but I especially dislike it when I'm getting ready to spend a significant portion of a year's income on a single purchase. Everywhere I went, I had to convince a sales person to take a break from friendly chats with their co-workers, or stop reading their newspapers, in order to get a quote on whatever car I was inspecting at the time. In one agency, I was never able to attract the attention of a sales person at all. Too bad, because I actually liked the looks of the car they sell.

Then I noticed a new sign at the Silaba Agency on Calle 50, advertising Chevrolet Aveos for $6,995.00. Silaba Agency took a black eye over the Mexican-built Pontiac Sunbirds they sold a few years ago, and I had been avoiding them for that reason, but my Scots ancestors wouldn't let me resist the price tag, so I stopped to take a look. It was like landing on a different planet. Within two minutes of walking through the door, I was approached by a pretty young lady, offering assistance. She took the time to show me the cars, give me a quote, and never attempted to apply any sales pressure. I liked the features of the cars and I left with a smile on my face.

A few weeks later my wife and I left for a trip to Boston and on to Germany for a month to attend the birth of our youngest son's first child. When we returned, I again went car shopping, and again observed that in most dealerships, it was a struggle to gain the attention of a sales person. Back at Silaba, I had forgotten the name of the lady who attended me the first time, and as I walked in it seemed all the sales agents were occupied, so I was greeted by John Gunther, the sales manager. Over the next few weeks, he spent a lot of time with me, let me drive the cars in which I was interested, and never tried to pressure me. Not once did I walk into the agency without being approached by a smiling, helpful sales agent. In the end I bought a Chevrolet Vivant, which had a lot more interior room and was more comfortable than anything else I looked at in its price class, which was well below other MPVs. Last week I took it in for its first 5000 kilometer service. Aside from the oil/filter change, inspections, and an optional grease job, I also got a free (and unexpected) car wash. Total bill $28.95. Silaba issues a checkup schedule with every new car, which tells you exactly what they will do at each recommended inspection and how much it will cost. Free roadside assistance comes with every new GM car. It all makes a very nice package, and if this sounds like an advertisement for Silaba, it's not, but I am pleased.

Las Nubes

Twenty five years ago, Las Nubes in Cerro Azul was a thriving weekend retreat. It was a beautiful quiet area. Today it resembles in some ways, a ghost town. The once gaudy gold and red Chinese style home is in ruins, the neat A-frames down the street abandoned. The spa is seedy and run-down. Even the For Sale signs look abandoned.

What happened? There is no clear, apparent answer, but I suspect the development of places like Altos del Maria and the improvement of the InterAmerican highway to the interior had something to do with it. In the last 25 years there has been explosive growth at 24 de Diciembre, and what was once a pleasant 30 minute drive can become well over an hour of nightmarish traffic snarl, honking horns, and flaring tempers, especially on weekends. The road up the mountain can be dangerous and there is a lot of truck traffic on it. I would rather drive to Coronado than Cerro Azul any time. Perhaps some of the owners died and their heirs had no interest and have been unable to sell the property. Maybe they just can't stand the perfume of the many chicken farms. Whatever the reason, Las Nubes is no longer the highly desirable weekend getaway it once was, though the agreeable climate remains and the chickens really don't smell all that bad. If you want to live in the mountains, and don't need to go into the city very often, Las Nubes just might be a good place to find a bargain.

For pictures of Las Nubes, visit the 'Panama Pictures' section.

DVD Movies

I was in Los Pueblos with my wife on Friday and she noticed the 'Todo a Dollar' store. She wanted to see what they had so we went inside. True to their name, everything costs a dollar. I was attracted to the collection of DVDs, featuring the likes of 'Bonanza', 'The Beverly Hillbillies', 'The Lucy Show', and a good selection of old-time cartoons. I left with 16 DVDs, total cost $16.90.

Our five year old grandson was enchanted with Donald Duck, Little Lulu, Popeye, Elmer Fudd, Mighty Mouse and others, lending credence to my belief that TV doesn't show what kids want to see so much as kids watch whatever garbage is on TV.

My wife and I enjoyed an episode of Bonanza and laughed aloud at Lucille Ball, and still have a lot to watch. I'm looking forward to the 'Beverly Hillbillies'.

So, if like us, you are tired of the endless stream of trash and violence spewing from your TV set, visit one of the 'Todo a Dollar' stores.

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