mijobooks Chapter 37 Happy New Car
Chapter 37 Happy New Car
Meanwhile, Chen Jianguo and his family of three had arrived at the newly built and recently put into use automobile city in Wuhe City.
What kind of car should he buy? Chen Zhiyuan had actually already considered this.
If we look at it twenty years from now, his first choice will definitely be a domestically produced car with a high cost-performance ratio.
However, in 1999, the development of domestic cars was still in its initial stage, and there was a significant gap between them and imported or joint venture brands in terms of quality and technology.
Therefore, his gaze naturally fell on the latter.
350,000 yuan may seem like a huge sum, but cars in this era were also quite expensive.
Chen Zhiyuan wanted to buy an off-road vehicle that was spacious, powerful, and fun to drive.
I'm not thinking about Toyota's Land Cruiser or Prado; I can't afford them right now. I'll think about them when I have more money later.
The Mitsubishi Pajero also exceeded the budget, with prices typically above 350,000.
Chen Zhiyuan set his sights on a joint venture model – the Jeep Cherokee, produced by Beijing Jeep Automobile Co., Ltd., which is the second generation of the Cherokee.
This car has two main versions: a four-cylinder version, priced between 18 and 22 yuan, which is the mainstay of "affordable off-road vehicles".
The six-cylinder version, such as the model equipped with a 4.0L inline six-cylinder engine, is priced between 25 and 30 yuan and has more powerful performance.
After a moment's thought, Chen Zhiyuan made his decision: buy the six-cylinder version! Powerful performance makes it much more fun to drive!
As for the money? The contract is already signed, so he's not really worried about it.
Before long, with the publication of the first volume of "Those Things of the Ming Dynasty", the first, second, and Nth royalties will be continuously deposited into his account.
He stood beside the brand-new, sharply styled, metallic-sheen Grand Cherokee, patted the sturdy door, and said to his father, "Dad, what do you think of this car?"
Chen Jianguo's eyes were already shining, and his face was full of excitement.
Is this the best car my family is buying for our first car?
He doesn't have a driver's license, but that doesn't hinder his aesthetic sense and taste.
This car looks so beautiful! Impressive! Rugged! Powerful! It's so appealing that you can't help but like it at first glance.
only……
He lowered his voice with slight concern: "Son, isn't it... too expensive? Nearly 300,000."
Chen Zhiyuan pointed to the price tag on the car window: "The price is 288,000. All the fees and the total cost will be a little over 300,000."
We can afford it, so don't worry about the money. I'll be receiving royalties soon, at least several hundred thousand more.
Wow, the royalties are so much!
Chen Jianguo was now completely relieved.
He gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and a surge of confidence welled up within him: "Alright! I'll buy this one!"
He was determined to go all out and buy the best car possible!
I've even started imagining how impressive it would be to drive this imposing car back home and park it right under my building in the neighborhood!
When those old neighbors and colleagues see this, won't they be incredibly envious?
Seeing that his parents didn't object, Chen Zhiyuan felt relieved and a surge of pride welled up inside him. He pulled out his bank card and waved it at the salesperson: "This one, swipe card!"
Buying a car in 1999 was far less complicated than it is now; everything was much simpler.
No one is pushing loans, and you don't have to pay first and then wait half a month to pick up the car. Here, the principle is to pay money and receive the goods at the same time.
The procedures were completed very quickly, in just an hour or two, and everything was settled.
Chen Zhiyuan took the car keys and two temporary license plates—the official license plates would take a few more days, but at this moment it was enough to make his heart race.
"Dad, Mom, get in the car!"
Chen Zhiyuan excitedly opened the driver's side door, sat inside, and ran his hand over the smooth steering wheel, his voice brimming with barely suppressed joy.
"Why!"
Mr. and Mrs. Chen responded in unison, and got into the car with a hint of barely perceptible excitement.
As soon as the car door closed, the two couldn't help but look around, gently touching here and peeking there.
Chen Jianjun, being a man, managed to keep his composure; Zhang Hui, however, was completely different. Her face was filled with undisguised joy and dazedness, and her eyes seemed to be shining.
Even now, she still feels like she's walking on clouds.
A month ago, she was still considering whether to set up a breakfast stall early in the morning and late at night to supplement her family's income. Now, she is sitting in a luxury car worth more than 300,000 yuan that her son bought.
More than 300,000... Just that number made her heart race.
"Son, is this really our car?" Zhang Hui's voice trembled slightly as her fingertips carefully touched the leather seats. "I feel like I'm dreaming."
Infected by his mother's emotions, Chen Zhiyuan couldn't help but smile, and said firmly, "Mom, it's true, not a dream."
After saying that, he skillfully started the engine, lightly pressed the accelerator, and the car smoothly glided out of the showroom, quickly merging into the main traffic flow.
The couple didn't say much along the way, but their subtle gestures and the light in their eyes had already revealed their surging emotions.
The car was quiet, yet it seemed to be filled with a silent jubilation.
Before long, the car arrived at the gate of the Shuguang Machinery Factory residential area.
Chen Zhiyuan honked the horn lightly, rolled down the car window, and called out loudly towards the guardhouse, "Uncle Wang, could you please open the gate?"
Grandpa Wang, who was guarding the gate, was wondering whose brand-new and impressive SUV it was when he heard the familiar voice.
His face instantly lit up with a smile, his wrinkles smoothing out, and he leaned forward with a mixture of warmth and surprise: "Xiao Chen, is this the car you bought?"
Chen Zhiyuan nodded with a smile, then casually took out a bottle of Furongwang cigarettes he had prepared and handed it over: "Just got it."
Grandpa Wang took the cigarette, his smile widening. He quickly pressed the switch to raise the barrier and watched the car slowly drive into the community.
In just a short while, many eyes had gathered at the entrance.
The brand-new SUV was already eye-catching, and with the people inside recognized, whispers began to circulate.
"It really is Chen Zhiyuan! Their family actually bought a car!"
"I heard this morning that you were going to go look at cars, and you've already driven them back in just half a day?"
"This car is really impressive; it doesn't look cheap..."
"That's a Grand Cherokee, it'll cost at least 300,000!"
"Three hundred thousand?!" Someone gasped in shock. This figure was astronomical for most working-class families.
Many heads were still peering at the rear of the car, their eyes practically overflowing with envy.
Chen Zhiyuan felt those gazes through the car window, and a surge of burning pride welled up in his chest—this feeling was truly exhilarating.
The car came to a smooth stop in front of the family building.
In 1999, private cars were still a rarity, and parking was very casual.
The car had barely come to a stop, and the family of three had barely touched the ground, when neighbors curiously gathered around. The car was simply too eye-catching to go unnoticed.
"Jianjun, you really bought a car?"
Chen Jianjun, beaming with pride, had never felt so triumphant in his life. His voice boomed, "Yes, I just bought it!"
"This car looks unusual, how much does it cost?"
Chen Jianjun laughed heartily, his tone modest yet revealing barely suppressed pride: "It's not too expensive, a little over 300,000 yuan in total."
A moment of silence fell over the surroundings, followed by a flood of exclamations and congratulations.