It’s a camry. Thanks mostly to you guys for talking her into it. She read all of your suggestions and settled on the Camry. She drove a couple of them over a couple weekends but they didn’t have sunroofs, and she really wanted a sunroof. Then, out of the blue a dealer said he had the car for her. How awesome. Mom had a great time reading your comments and I think she even e-mailed a few of you. Hope that was okay.
Mom works at a place called “The Design Firm” which is an interior design shop in Houston. She runs their books and loves the place. Her boss is having the car waxed as a congratulation gift for getting rid of the old boat.
Okay, the specifics:
2005 Toyota Camry
40,000 miles
Leather interior (pretty cool, eh?) power everything and a six disc cd changer. Mom was also excited because it had an 8-track. Mom, do you mean a cassette player? Yes, you know, one of those, she said.
She got it from a dealer and paid a little more for it than I was comfortable with, but certainly didn’t get ripped off. When I buy a car I lowball people and usually end up taking the bus home. But they were good to her and got it all fixed up and the price wasn’t bad.
I should also tell you that this is the first time my mother has bought a car. She’s about to hit retirement age, but has never bought a car with her own money. All the other cars were gifts from people. She said she felt like an adult. How cool?
So thanks for all the advice. Mom was very concerned she wouldn’t please everybody, which I thought was sweet. But ultimately she pleased herself! Great car, mom. I’ll race you next time I’m in town.
fantastic! congrats on the new car…my mom has a blue one and loves it. Very classy, economical, and looks like a Lexus in certain light…:)
Congrats!!! I am so proud of you! Toyota’s are great cars and you look fabulous beside it! Now maybe your son will get off your back!
Good choice! Way to go mom!
Watch out!!! theres a car coming towards your mom!!! somebody email her and tell her to get out of the way!
Woo Hoo…
Way to go Mary. Strong choice. And my vote…
Don… you can get off the floor and breathe easier now.
Way to go mama miller!!
Ps. My dad’s got a garage full of 8-tracks I’m sure he’d sell ya at a “real nice price”.
Nice! The Missus and I bought an ’05 Toyota a few months ago and we LOVE it! Congrats, Don’s mom!
Yay! Welcome to the Camry family! In my dads words ‘take care of your car and your car will take care of you’!
Congrats! A Camry with only 40K miles is a good thing. They can easily last 20 years or more. Toyotas FTW!
*high five* Good job, Mom Miller. Camrys will probably run until the wheels fall off, so you got a good deal. Open up that sunroof and crank up that stereo.
It’s what I drive! Love it… great car with a great price! Congrats!
My mom has almost that exact Camry.
‘Tis a “sweet ride.”
YOU GO, MOM!
I’m from Houston too, but I’m living in Los Angeles now.
Hey, Don, my student wants to know if you know of any teaching jobs in Portland?
We read your blog in class (Oh yes we do!), so she’s now wanting to abandon the whole LA scene and move to Portland!
I meant student teacher! Oops!
Well done, Mom! I bet she’ll be very happy with it.
Excellent choice. Honestly, I don’t think she could disappoint any of us with a Camry. Not that it matters what we think.
Way to go Mrs. Miller! I’m so happy you found something you like and that allows Don to breathe again.
Congratulations! You look wonderful next to that car!
Yay! Congrats Don’s Mom! You won’t be sorry.
Congratulations on buying your first car, Don’s Mom! Love the color and wow, leather and a sunroof, my Ford Focus is jealous.
way to go, Don’s mom!
I’m pretty excited about this whole topic because I have to buy a car soon and had no idea where to start. Now I have LOTS of ideas!
Oh, and I love the sunroof stipulation…that reminds me of something my mom would do…I remember one time when she was soooo excited that her new MINI VAN was red, because she always wanted a red car.
Congrats, Ms. Miller! It suits you! Very cute!
Great car!!
That is so cute! Great choice, Mom! You are gonna love that car.
Wow! That car will outlast Don’s book sales. Smart choice.
my parents used to drive a camry. good car.
Congratulations and good choice, Don’s mom!
Excuse me, Mom, I need to ask the choir of heavenly angels behind me to pipe down… Ah, that’s better.
Don, get up off the floor now. Here, have this paper bag. In, out, and repeat. There you go.
But in all seriousness, I’m really excited for you. Nothing feels better than feeling really comfortable with the choice you’ve made. Looking great doing it doesn’t hurt either. You’re just as cute as a button!
I think I have some Carman cassettes I can send your way if you’re interested.
Put the windows down and enjoy the ride!
-Lydia
Good choice, Don’s Mom! I hope you enjoy your car and it treats you right.
good job don’s mom. really. great call…
i smiled the entire time reading the post. thanks for letting all of us be a part of this little adventure. we really are so happy for you.
Aw! Way to go Don’s mom! Now you just have to take a road trip!
Enjoy it!
Woohoo Ms Mary bought a car! Now she just needs some cds:) You look beautiful Ms Mary, enjoy that new car~
Yes – congratulations, it is really nice lookin’ and you have discovered one of my secrets of buying a good car. The best ones are silver or grey. Don’t ask me why, but it has always worked for me. Next choice is white. And sunroofs are always a great plus – good job!!
I think Don should buy you a pair of new hot sunglasses. Because you need to roll the windows down, put back the sunroof, and let the sun shine in on that beauty!
Next time you need a car…come to Canada! I work for a car dealership owned by a Christ-follower, and we’ll let you low-ball any day!
That is adorable.
sweet ride Mom! Well done…good thing you steered clear of the oldmobile trap… I had a few of those hand-me-downs and now they just creep me out!
Yay, Mom! You will love the Camry. My mother recently purchased a new car also, and did not realize ’til she got it home and saw it in the bright sunlight that it’s purple
Yes, I have experienced that bright moment in life when–regardless of glaring evidence pointing with fervor to the fact that I AM AN ADULT–I have actually, at long last, FELT like one.
That feeling is a powerful thing in a woman…it has the potential to ignite a lovely flame inside that grows, and warms, and grows some more.
So good. May your mom have many joyous rides.
And hey–get that road trip mix tape going.
congratulations, mary! now you’ll just have to get your son to compile some mix tapes for your off-road adventures.
come visit the rose city with that camry soon…
I think I just heard Jesus smile.
Go Don’s Mum! (I don’t know your actual name…sorry!) Aw, hope you get chance to enjoy the sunroof. I love sunroofs, but you tend to get rained on in your car if you have them in Scotland!!
Toyotas are the best!!! woot-woot!
Nicely done, Mrs. Miller. My mom had a Camry when I was growing up, and they’re quite the troopers. Good choice.
I love the car Mrs. Miller! Glad you got a good car. From what I read of your son’s books it sounds like you gave up alot raising your kids and didn’t get much for yourself. I am glad you get to do something for yourself for a change. I can honestly say you have earned it, seeing as how you have raised an incredible writer for a son!
Enjoy the car! 
Congratulations again! 
CongratulAtions don’s mom!! I’m so happy for u!
Dear Don’s Mom – glad you got Camry because they are great cars. But I thought you might be interested in this article (if you haven’t already seen it):
http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2009043
Hope you’re enjoying your new car!
Maybe you shouldn’t have talked your mom out of getting a Buick. She could have had better reliability then a Lexus:
http://www.jdpower.com/autos/articles/2009-Vehicle-Dependability-Study-Results/page-2