The Red Jaguar

Manifesting the car of my dreams

I always thought that owning a Mercedes, a BMW, or a posh Jaguar was out of my reach. I thought I’d have to upgrade my psychology degree to an MBA or marry a rich guy to own such a beauty. My old war-torn but dependable Toyota needed replacing. I had just turned fifty and earned my master’s degree in Psychology, so I thought I deserve a new car.

          The only problem was I was broke, in debt, and unemployed. My credit card company didn’t know that, or maybe they did, and sent me a blank check for a car loan so I could get into even more trouble. Their loan check was only accepted by a few select car dealerships. I didn’t know which ones.

          I went to the Toyota car lot and scanned the pre-owned vehicles for reliable Corollas in my price range, hoping to find one that was red or aqua, so I could spot it in large parking lots—something that would stand out in the bland sea of gray, black, and white cars. They had a slightly used aqua Corolla I liked, so I sat in the driver’s seat. The eager young salesman dropped into the passenger seat next to me.

          “It smells a little smoky,” I said. I wrinkled my nose. I imagined he did too after he heard that, since the musty odor might cost him a sale.

We took it for a test drive anyway. The gray cloth seats were worn and slightly stained, but it was under fourteen thousand. I agreed to buy it “as is—no warranty.” I wasn’t enamored, but it was adequate, practical, and a fair deal—a marriage of convenience. 

          I filled out the financial paperwork with a nervous stomach, crossing my fingers, hoping they would accept my loan check for payment.

          “It will be about half an hour to run your credit check,” the salesman said.

          “Okay.”

I thought I’d drive around while I waited. That’s when I spotted the Jaguar dealership next door. Something inside me said, “Go take a look.” How can it hurt to just drive around in there? I cruised around the dealer parking lot to fantasize as I ogled the shiny Jaguars that boggled my mind. I knew I couldn’t afford any of them—too expensive—and besides, I already found a used Toyota I was buying.

          “Oh my God, that’s my dream car.” I said out loud as I drove over to a stand-out scarlet Jag, a 2007 X-type sedan with a sun roof, chrome wheels, and the sleek curvy design I longed for. I parked my chipped economy car, walked to the luxury car, and peered inside, “Oh, wow, cream leather seats—my favorite.”

          I was in love.

          I looked at the sticker, expecting to see an outrageous price, but it was only seventeen thousand. It looked in mint condition. No one came out to pressure me. I went inside the dealership and asked the young sales guy in a tailored suit about the car.

          “Why is that Jaguar $17,000?” I asked.

          “It was a dealer’s car, but it’s reached its expiration date. In fact, it just went down today to $13,900.”

          “Are you kidding?” I got flush, feeling like I just won something big. Swooning in serendipity, I felt like swirling in circles.

          “It’s right here on my daily report,” the salesman said, pointing to a paper on his desk.

          It was cheaper than the smelly Toyota next store. My heart jumped. I had to drive that Jaguar. We test drove it on the freeway. It was so fast and responsive, almost intuitive to my needs, plus it smelled like a new car. It was winter in Minnesota and it had four-wheel drive and a killer heater. I was smitten all the way to my mittens. The seats even had bun-warmers to toast my cold bottom. Now overtaken by this stylish creampuff on wheels, I had to have it.

          This car was made for me.

          “Do you accept loan checks from this credit card company?” I handed him my check and took a deep breath, expecting it to be rejected on the spot.

          “Let me see. . .” He took the check to his financial manager, who was on his phone and nodded yes from his glass office.

          I couldn’t believe it.  A Jaguar—a red Jaguar—in my price range? Wow!

          But I have a deal going on next door.

          I didn’t want to disappoint the Corolla salesman, but I wasn’t going to buy that mediocre vehicle now—geez, it didn’t even have floor mats. I drove back to the Toyota dealership to cancel the deal, dreading the confrontation I expected.

          The Toyota salesman met me at the door and solemnly said, “Your credit was denied. I’m sorry.”

          Hallelujah!
          I turned around and swaggered back to the Jaguar lot, signed that miraculous check, and purchased the best car I’ve ever had. Driving that Jaguar made me feel like a newly-crowned queen with her royal chariot.

          Something prompted me to go look at that car. I think God wanted me to have it. People told me I would have problems with it, but the biggest problem I’ve had is that I can’t seem to keep it clean enough.

Once after a car wash, I was driving down the road, belting out a tune, my head bopping under the open sun roof. A handsome young fellow passed me slowly, obviously flirting with me, and yelled out his window with a big smile, “You are cool!”

          With that thumbs-up, I felt cool. Slick cars can do that to people, especially a red Jaguar from God.

A true story from Sprinkles from Heaven - Stories of Serendipity by Carolyn Jaynes, M.A