If it's MY car, why do YOU have veto power?

[JoyNChrist]

So DH is royally pissing me off these days.

We recently decided to downsize one of our vehicles to a car. DH drives a 4-door Chevy Silverado Z-71, and I drive a GMC Yukon. It really doesn't make sense for both of us to have huge gas-guzzlers, so we decided that one had to go. After much discussion, we agreed that it was smarter to trade in DH's truck (since it's a year older than my Yukon and has more miles on it, and we both honestly like the Yukon better). We agreed that DH would take the Yukon, and we'd trade the truck in on a mid-size car for me.

Everything was fine, until we actually started shopping.

Apparently, the fact that we're trading in HIS truck means that DH has veto power, even though the new care is going to be MINE. I've tried to be accomodating and take his opinion into consideration, but he hates everything I really love, and I'm starting to think that we're going to end up with something neither of us is really happy with. At first, I really wanted a Civic Hybrid. But DH immediately vetoed that idea since they're "absolutely hideous" in his opinion. Then he wanted a new Chevy Malibu, but I didn't like the two different ones we test drove. We both kind of liked the Chevy Impala and the Honda Accord, but neither of us was just crazy about them.

But then today, I fell IN LOVE with a Volkswagen Jetta. I mean I literally did not want to get out and give the keys back to the dealer after the test-drive. I wanted to stay and sleep in the car, that's how much I loved it. And from our initial conversation with the salesman, the price sounds like it will work out well with our trade-in. And since DH admitted that he really liked it too, I thought we were set.

But then when we got home, DH said he didn't want to buy it. Why? Because the closest Volkswagen dealer is 2 hours away from our house, and he didn't want to drive that far for repairs if anything went wrong with it.

Hello?! Who cares?! IT'S MY CAR! MINE! And he has never, ever taken the Yukon in to be serviced, so I highly doubt he would ever do so with the Jetta when the time came. And I realize that having the dealer so far away isn't the ideal situation, but did I mention that I (who normally doesn't care much about vehicles one way or another) love love LOVE this car? Like, I couldn't stop petting it while we were standing in the lot talking to the salesman. If this car were a man, DH would have to watch his back, cuz I might run off with it.

But no, HE doesn't want it. Even though he will probably only drive it once a month at most, and even though I've never complained about either of the vehicles he's bought since we've been together.

Men are really aggravating sometimes.

[sarahsthreads]

You should check to see if there's a closer garage that deals specifically with imports. Our nearest VW dealer is a ways away too, but we have a garage that's less than 10 minutes away that only services VWs, Audi's, etc, and has soooo much better prices than the dealer anyway! We love our Jetta too, so I can understand how you feel about it.

Sarah

[LarsMal]

Work your magic, girly, and get your Jetta! I agree with the pp who said to check around and see if there is a garage that services VW's. If you can find one then you'll really only need to make the trip when you have routine stuff done.

I heart V-dubs! The first car I ever bought with my own money was a VW Cabrio convertible- oh how I loved that car! Before that I had a Jetta. DH and I shared a car for the first four years of our marriage b/c he took public transportation to work. When he finally needed his own car he wanted a Mazda, but I pushed for a Jetta. He absolutely LOVES his Jetta, and so do I!

Good luck getting your way!

[bubbaray]

You should check to see if there's a closer garage that deals specifically with imports. Our nearest VW dealer is a ways away too, but we have a garage that's less than 10 minutes away that only services VWs, Audi's, etc, and has soooo much better prices than the dealer anyway! We love our Jetta too, so I can understand how you feel about it.

Sarah

Yeah, that. I had a VW Cabriolet for 13 years -- no, not a typo. VWs are kinda quirky, but its something that VW owners just get used to. I'd definitely find a local shop.

[elizabethkott]

I LOVED LOVED LOVED my Jetta. I actually cried when DH traded it in. (He took my car when we traded his craptastic pathfinder for my volvo, and he then traded the Jetta (sob!) in for a VW Eos - which is also very cool and fun to drive, but not at all practical by any stretch of the imagination!)
Points for your DH:
- The Jetta is PHENOMINAL in the snow. (ETA: I just noticed where you live. Change "snow" to "humidity".)
- Great gas milage.
- If you take care of your baby - regular oil changes, rotate the tires, etc, it will last a LONG time.
- You can save money by taking it to a local shop for repairs and maintenance. There is nothing written in blood that says that repairs and maintenance must be done at VW.
- Write down for him the last ten times he drove your car. With dates. How often is he *really* going to drive it?
- Price - good!
- If he ever wants to have sex again, he will buy you the car.

[egfmba]

Well, you could always offer to trade in the Yukon and let him keep his truck. That way the veto power goes away...right?

But really, I like Jettas as well. I think VWs are, in general, reliable cars with great safety records. I think you should sit down and talk to your husband and explain that you want this car and no other and if you can't come to an agreement on this issue you'll (fill in the blank - not trade in, trade in the Yukon, wait, etc. Whatever you feel comfortable doing). I wouldn't budge, because it's really hard to find a car you're absolutely in love with. All cars are not made alike!

Good luck!
eva

[Laurel]

I love my VW! We never go to the dealer- if you find a local garage that can service you I'm betting it will be cheaper than the dealer!

[himom]

Maybe he just wants to surprise you for Christmas?

If not, I hope you can get it anyway! If you're driving it, you should be able to choose it. And the Jettas really are cute cars!

(PS If it is a Christmas thing, I hope I didn't blow the surprise!)

[Kungjo]

Stacy,

I really do think that it should be your decision since you are the one driving it.

Are you still planning to move to CO later next year? I'm not trying to change your choice, but this is just a thought. If you're still going to move to CO, you may want to consider a Subaru for the four wheel drive option. My brother-in-law lives in Denver and he said that more than 50% of the cars there are Subarus. They just traded their truck in for one last year and love it. Just a thought.

HTH

[katydid1971]

Hey do VW's still have 100K mile warrenties?!?! That would sell my DH who is completely unmechanical and would want to not worry about the car.
HTH