Robert Hall

Lots of variation depending on region, no doubt. I just don't see many local independent restaurants and businesses that are cash only..I'd don't think they would last long around here. True, but I use it much less than I did 10-15 years ago..much less. I'd definitely use EZ Pass if I lived where there were toll roads...the only toll roads I encounter are when I'm on vacation...and rental cars in those areas often have EZ Pass or similar.

Most all bank/credit card/investment statements can be done electronic...I haven't had paper mail statements in years... How do you get cash if you don't 'do ATM'? Use a 'bank teller' like it's 1990?

Not necessarily. Over the last 10 years, I've seen very, very few independent (non-chain, non-corporate) restaurants or businesses that don't take plastic. Cash-only businesses are a rarity, at least in the realities I've spend the most of my time in (Phoenix and Denver metro areas). The only scenarios I need cash w/ any frequency for are vending machines, tipping where there isn't a tip line on the receipts (Starbucks drive thru, dog wash, dog groomers), paying the yard guy (envelope w/ cash under the doormat), infrequent valet parking, the rare toll road (none around Phoenix area), and if I happen to go to a model kit swap meet/toy show or flea market. I do frequent some corporate chains (Target, ACE Hardware, Home Depot, Chevron, Walgreens, Petsmart, Pei Wei, Starbucks, to name a few) but I frequent local merchants as much as possible..esp. w/ restaurants. Even the parking garage at the airport takes plastic, as do the parking lots downtown. As do the merch vendors at concert venues. I've taken 4 weekend trips to various places in California this summer and never used more than $20 in cash on each trip. Cash can't beat the convenience of plastic. Over the last decade, I've found paper money has become about as obsolete as paper mail (I get very little) and land line phones..

Maybe it's owned by a taxi or limo/town car service that does business in both Virginia and DC and has to be registered in both. DC is wierd because it isn't a state. I wonder how taxi or limo services do business in cities like DC (or Cincinatti) where the airports are different states from the city served..

One of the strangest things I've seen this year was the Mitsubishi Montero Sport someone had rebadged as as Toyota Land Cruiser. Subtle. One of those things that defy explanation.

Good point..I have very few situations where I need paper money..though it's necessary sometimes..like for tipping at businesses that don't have tip lines on their receipts (at the dog wash ,groomers, Starbucks drive thru, for instance) or w/ valets, toll roads (though rental cars often have an EasyPass or pay-by-cc deal for them), vending machines, the occasional vendor that doesn't take plastic (like at a flea market or swap meet)..

Dual registration..I've seen semi trucks w/ multiple plates..registered in 2 or more states for unknown commercial or tax reasons.

How about colonoscopies? Those are not fun...had my first one a couple weeks ago. Preparing for one is the hard part, actually.

Maybe it's because there isn't a lot of interesting new product from GM coming out this fall.. I'm really looking forward to fall--the idea of days where the high is consistently under 100 degrees for the first time since May is very appealing.

Maybe, but don't kill us that work in the cubes and keep the banks running smoothly...

stadium

I see no relevance of the cost of a crate engine compared to the cost of a car with the same engine..people buy cars w/ specific engines, not engines by themselves..

Ranked down because of your tastless comment in the second line, Eric Cartman..

Must have been inspired by the Dukes of Hazzard stunts...

Happy Birthday!

Sounds like a rough 'hood.

Those are cool...I esp. like the use of color. I'd like to see a dollar coin rather than a bill, though. The current bills are so dated and dull looking. Though I do avoid carrying cash or coins, prefer to go paperless as much as possible.

Apples and oranges as far comparing to the Equinox--the Equinox is much larger, almost Grand Cherokee sized. I suppose the Patriot nominally competes with the CR-V, Rav-4, Tuscon, and Sportage. GM doesn't have anything that small in NA..

I voted for 13-15. Too bad there isn't a 16+ category, I want 21 speeds, all driver selectable

I saw a black previous gen Merc E-class with an unusual personalization--had the personalized license plate 'GAZ' and on the decklid chrome M-B style letters spelling 'GAZ' in place of a E350 or other series badge. Strange. Also saw a bright red '10 Challenger R/T Classic (like that color) and a clean '75-76 Cadillac Eldo convertible in yellow w/ a tan interior, top down (getting to be convertible top down weather here).

Good luck! Back in the '80s, my brother worked in auto parts for almost 10 years..eventually manager of a Nationwide Auto Parts store. Has a lot of interesting stories of the people you run into in that line of work..

I like that color. I like how many of the late '60s-early '70s Corvette colors directly or indirectly name-checked racetracks..Elkhart being a reference to Elkhart Lake/Road America, and Monza Red, Monaco Orange, Goodwood Green, LeMans Blue, Can-Am white...

Interesting...something kinda like this? (Elkhart Green '72): or this?

GM should trump them with a 10 speed.

Hmmmm...you in Europe this week? I saw a matte black Chrysler SRT8 Estate a couple weeks ago here in AZ w/ NJ plates...