The 17-Year Wait

It's 2007. I am out to breakfast with my new-ish girlfriend (now wife), Sarah. I'm decently arrogant, think I have life figured out, and most certainly want to impress this girl. I start sharing how I'm planning to buy a new car. It's a 2006 Nissan 350Z. It's a convertible stick-shift, of course. It also has a $40,000 price tag.

However, instead of looking impressed and excited, my girlfriend's eyes looked dead. She sat quietly for the longest time, then chimed in, "So I guess you don't see me in your future." What!?!?!?

First, it's not Sarah's personality to say something this direct and this harsh. Second, how could she not be excited about this? It's a convertible stick-shift!!! She explained that it seemed like an irresponsible move, ripe with arrogance, served with a side dish of caring about what others thought about me. Ouch! Needless to say, I didn't buy the car. She was right, I was wrong, and a rational decision was made.

Ever since then, I wanted to buy a fun car like that. But life happens, and we've made sure to prioritize the things that need to be prioritized. However, Sarah has been adamant that we would one day buy a fun car. It morphed over time, though. I didn't just want any car. I wanted that exact car. I wanted to hold on to that original vision and be content with that same dream.

There were a few times when we almost pulled the trigger. We were about to buy one in 2016, but then received a phone call about a few babies who would soon (two days later!) become part of the Shelton family. The car got put on the back burner. We were about to buy one in 2019, but I left my career, and our family took a 90% pay cut. The car got put on the back burner again.

Fast forward to 2024. I've been casually looking at cars, but I haven't really seen anything that fits the bill. Then, during a recent trip to Texas, I curiously decided to see if anything was available in that market. There was just one......so I scheduled a test drive. Fast forward 24 hours, and I am the proud owner of the very car I wanted 17 years ago! It's a 2006 Nissan 350Z (convertible stick-shift, of course) with 70,000 miles. $9,000! It's far from perfect. It's endured a lot of bruises and scars over the past 18 years, but then again, so have I. I canceled my flight home and made the 15-hour road trip in my new ride.

Delayed gratification sucks. We want what we want, and we want it now.

Me buying a $40,000 car at age 26 is the equivalent of a 26-year-old today purchasing a $65,000 car. It would have crushed me! Instead, I paid just $9,000 for a vehicle I can truly appreciate.....and share with people around me. As much as I'm excited to drive it, I'm equally excited for others to enjoy it. The 17-year wait was so, so worth it!

Actually, delayed gratification is awesome.