Satty

I had a friend who gave some sage advice a while back. I was interested in something that was a bit out of my price range. He told me to go, look at it, and if I thought it worthwhile, whip out a stack of cash and offer the guy half what he was asking. People are always tempted by greenbacks, plus that truck appears to be in great shape. I'd wrangle up $2500/cash, take it for a spin, whip out $2000 and see if he bites. Once you hit your threshold, just walk off. Nobody in his right mind is going to let 25 Benjamins slip through their fingers.

Yeah, a few months ago, I though it would be cool to get a '55 convertible for a cruiser (this was pre-Prius and subsequent payments) but once I saw the prices they were going for, I let off.

I'd love to know where, a cursory glance at eBay reveals '57s to be rather expensive. Incomplete projects, in pieces, are going for $8000.

Fixed, since the 3rd row would be fine for kids if American kids weren't so fat. If people didn't give their tubby-tubby-fat-fat children so many empty calories, they wouldn't need Suburbans to haul 3 children.

Yeah, but they're pricier and more difficult to find.

The seats aren't the most comfortable, but they held up decently over the life of the car. I'd be sure to take a long drive, to make sure everything feels ok, because these are compact cars. At 6'3, I fit up front ok with the seat all the way back. The back seat is pretty much useless with the front seat all the way back. From what I've seen on used cars, the sunroof tracks are pretty shoddy, many that I've looked at have either had the tracks replaced or the sunroof is stuck closed. Parts can be a pain to track down (I had to go to 3 places to get the radiator hose) but if you need something you can track it down.

SL/SL1/SC1/SW1-base models, SOHC engines, black plastic bumpers, manual windows/locks SL2/SC2/SW2-Painted bumpers, DOHC engines (about 20-25 more hp) more likely to have power accessories I prefer the pre-96 cars, simply because of the styling (and the fact that we had a '92) but they're all fantastic as transportation. I would absolutely love an SW of any year, but they're tougher to find. I've looked at a couple SCs and SLs, but didn't pull the trigger. Our '92 needed a new head gasket at about 200k miles, my brother-in-law did it himself, he said it wasn't too bad. Otherwise, it was absolutely reliable. The only time it ever left me stranded was when a radiator hose burst at about 190k. Hell, the car was on its original clutch when my sister traded it in around 230k. The manual transmission isn't the slickest piece, but if you can drive a stick, its fine. I know nothing of the automatics they use. Dont know what year they quit doing it, but I know early models had those stupid automatic seatbelts. They're dumb, but you get used to it.

TDI FTW! But seriously, if you can find a used TDI Beetle or Golf, give it a serious thought. Fabulous mileage, but reliability may be an issue, not major breakdowns per se, but electrical issues and little things.

Hella-reliable. They're also pretty fun rides. A bit noisy, cheap interior, but they're really fun, lovable cars.

Who, as a car buyer, thinks "I want a sporty ride and a car that does 0-60 in 3.8, I'm heading to the Toyota store"? Nobody, thats who. The Camry's driving dynamics are great for what it is, a car that gets the kids to school and the parents to Starbucks then to work.

Stupid FWD, b-pillar-having $hitboxes, they're all worthless and you're less of a human being for wanting one, and thats final because I say so and I'm right about everything, anyone who disagrees is worthless and should be thrown off the planet. Good enough? Anywho, I still think the Mazda 3 and 5 are fantastic packages, the HHR is a pretty nifty ride, and it gets bonus points for not being super-ubiquitous like the PT Cruiser. The Astra is a decent ride, but outward visibility sucks (3-door, at least) and the interior could use a bit of work. The 138hp moves the car decently with the automatic, it isn't going to win all the races, but for everyday driving, its fine. I'm not sure what it gets for real-world gas mileage, but it cant be too bad.

The Mazdas are pretty easily overlooked (especially the 5) because they aren't as common as Cobalts/Focii, etc but they're solid cars. The 5 makes a lot of sense for most people, compact size, seating for 6 and pretty good fuel economy. Its rated 21/27 with the auto, a little higher with the stick. Keyless entry and an aux input are standard on all models, moonroof is standard on 2/3 of the trim levels, heated seats are standard on the highest trim level. Fulley loaded (leather, nav, etc) comes out to around $27k, the one I would buy (Touring+dvd entertainment system) is just over $22, which seems pretty reasonable. Availability is the issue.

Civic or Mazda3 or Mazda5

Ok, some advice regarding summer team sports. If you're going to play baseball/softball, make sure you have an even number, otherwise you end up with one person pitching to both teams, which leads to all sorts of problems. Also, make sure you're never on the opposite team of a spouse/significant other. And, most importantly, make sure that if you're the person pitching to both teams, you do not throw at your significant other, no matter how much she is crowding the plate, just to placate the members of the other team who think you're giving her preferential treatment by pitching her over the plate and throwing inside to all the other team's hitters. She's got a bruise and I have had the day from hell because of it.

Glad to hear you're ok. I'm pretty sure the Prius has been smoking pot in the garage, and it may have slipped a sorority girl GHB.

People who life selfishly rarely live happily.

They're not going to drop the price of the Cobalt $3,000 less than the Aveo, plus it would seriously damage the Cobalt and therefore Chevy. It will reinforce the consumer sentiment that the only reason to buy a GM is the deal.

I know a couple of people who lost a little money on the race. I've never been that big into horse racing, definitely not into it enough to put money on it.

OY! Still pretty warm out, now I have to go play softball.

Yeah, its like 90+, we spent the late morning/early afternoon at the zoo, my head is very sunburnt.

Ahhh, it really is too bad GM doesn't want to give the US diesels now.

Doesn't that translate to like $65k USD? Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy one here and take it over with you?

Apparently the Prius has gone all week on the $20 I put in Sunday. The Fusion, on the other hand, went through $20 worth by Tuesday.

A white Smart at a red light, the driver must have gunned it, cause he blew the doors off the grand Am in the next lane.

I haven't really been paying attention, does the Chinese STS still have a nicer (looking at least) interior?