Well, we had thought it was going to be the weekend to work in the backyard, but with our oddly Pacific Northwest-y weather (cool-overcast-intermittent rain), plans changed.
Yesterday was surprisingly busy. In the morning, I went to the vet to get catfood (yes, our cats have delicate stomachs, and in the interest of keeping the carpets
somewhat clean, they eat a very specific and somewhat expensive diet), then off to the
salon, and on to the
grocery shopping.
In the afternoon, we spent some time online, consulting Edmunds and Consumer Reports, and then went off to test drive a potential new car. My darling Saturn, first
new car I ever owned, is now old, burns oil, and in need of a bit of body work, so I'm getting ready to say good-bye.
There is tension between my Scottish side that says
"Don't spend more than you have to - and make sure the mpg is decent!"
and my I-don't-know-what side that says
"Well, you are going to have it at least ten years, and it's already uncomfortable when two adults and the Juj have to share the backseat of our existing cars when we have visitors, and J is only going to get bigger, and you should have a ride befitting a senior manager [whatever that means!], blah, blah, blah..."
Definitely want four doors, and am torn between hatchbacks and small family sedans. I really like hatchbacks, but then I start thinking about the whole seating 3-across in the back thing and... (Full disclosure: I also feel lust in my heart for cross-overs/small SUV's, but I'm probably too cheap to buy one, both from a purchase price and ongoing fuel consumption standpoint.)
So what's in the running?
Mainly a bunch of Hyundai's because CR says they are a good value and reliable.
The most economical and sensible choice is the Elantra SE:
But also considering the Elantra Touring Wagon, since I like hatchbacks:
And G-man thinks I should keep the Sonata in the running (more room, classier, but more $ and frankly, I think I actually
prefer a boxier design with more window glass):
And my wish list might include the Tucson, except that (a) I can't test drive, or even sit in, one because the dealer can't keep them on the lot, and (b) therefore, even if the mileage was better than it is, I'd still be less likely to be able to drive a decent bargain, given the laws of supply & demand -- and that I suck at negotiation.
But I'm also considering a Volkswagen because we already have a
trusted VW mechanic, and I really like the fairly roomy interior feel of our current Jetta (which is a diesel model, and gets great mileage but then I think I might be too cheap to buy a diesel). I think I'd like the gasoline version of the 4-door Golf just fine (haven't visited a dealer yet), but CR says the mixed driving mpg is low on it, although they also think it's a great car other than that, and I
do mostly drive highway as there are almost no surface streets on my daily work commute.
Basically? I can't make up my mind. And that doesn't even consider other options, like Honda Accord or Nissan Sentra, or Subara Impreza Wagon... I'm so afraid of buyer's remorse, from either not really loving the car for the next 10+ years, or not really loving the monthly payment, or not really loving it at the pump.
(Got an opinion? Feel free to weigh in!)
And, yes I was going to post about what I cooked / am cooking this weekend, but too bad, it'll just have to wait, since I've already blathered on this long, and now I really want to get back to cooking.
