dust? I'm not worried about dust. I'm more worried about spills. Leather wipes off.

happy! 'cause I checked my credit score today and . . . I actually have one! (I didn't before) and it's not too bad! so, hopefully I'll be able to get a loan with decent terms this time

gah! very frustrated! After several months of looking and researching, I've identified a few pretty good all around cars for me. But I keep getting hung up on the "big" v. "small" question, and trying to find one vehicle to suit all my needs has been difficult. So .. .

this week, I've decided to KEEP my present car ('01 Honda Civic, 55,000 miles); and get an additional vehicle, one on the bigger side. I have enough cash for a downpayment separate from a trade/sell, I think. Then, in a few years' time, I can get something smaller and zoomier, and gift my Civic to my oldest grandchild. Or something.

I've always liked the Element, and may consider one of those. Although they apparently wallow like a pregnant sow in emergency situations, I've always been intrigued by the "multi-purpose" side of it. They are dead on reliable, and I could just plan to keep that vehicle--forever or until it dies, probably 20 years. Or I may look for something else "big" with similar utility.

When this idea came to me, I thought, "duh!" (head smack). I get soooo uptight with car trouble--this way, I can have a spare! It wouldn't cost me much to keep the Civic insured and running.

I figure, if worst comes to worst, I can sell my Civic for extra cash, pile all my possessions in the Element, and live in it. yeah, so I'm a little paranoid. Wanna make something of it?

Anyway, that's my thinking this week!

Sounds like a no brainer -

(thats what I did)

great minds, honey!

still really really liking the Nissan Juke. My main dilemma, if I get this car, will be deciding between FWD(and/or manual tranny); and the AWD version, which only carries the CVT.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/26/2...iew-road-test/

Considering your climate, and doubting you do much off roading, you probably don't need the AWD. So it comes down to whether you want to be shiftless or not.

It's cute cloud. I liked the multiple views.

I am now almost certain I will buy a Juke when they become available in a couple of months. Most likely the top trim CVT/AWD version. Won't decide on a final color until I can see them in person. Here's a review:

Yeah, with real fire.;)

It looks like a winner. I'll be happy to drive it out to you personally.

nah, fire is so cliched . . . .

I'm putting a dragon on it! :D

i plan on taking one as a demo as soon as I can get one. I will take you on a virtual test drive, and all that shit.

Looks like a win win win ...

I would certainly like to help my Cellardwellars (and be helped by them), but --Don't you think Pennsylvania is a little far from me to consider? I'd have 2000 miles put on the car before I even got it with this scenario, which would make me unhappy.

If I were to consider buying from far away, I might consider Portland OR; then I could combine with visit to BD#2 and drive it back.