I, of course, drive "the blue shark special". Complete with dorsal fin!

r we also discussing the leadfoot drivers :-)

I push a gas guzzling SUV during the week and a "play" car on the weekends

neither of which were made in this millenium

I drive a 1992 Honda accord. This week, the AC broke, then the back window got stuck halfway down. So I'm praying for drought til tomorrow, when I'll be taking the door apart. (I'm suddenly thankful for my dad, who always made me work on the family cars with him, against my will.)

Overall, this has been an amazing car. I bought it four years ago, while I was still in college, and it has never had any engine problems. It's very fuel efficient and zippy in traffic.

Once DH finishes grad school, I'll probably shop for a newer car. Just knowing that I'm driving a 15 year old car makes me a little nervous.

I drive a 7 year old Toyota 4-Runner to and from the metro. It was purchased to tow a sailboat (and later a powerboat) and haul 2 labrador retrievers. The boat and the dogs left the picture with the ex-BF and I was left with a paid off vehicle. When I want a "city" car -- I drive my mother's VW Jetta. No matter what size vehicle I drive it's always filled with stuff... currently there is sailing gear, running shoes,...

I proposed to Frieda in the backseat of my 1967 Plymouth Valiant Signet. (No, get your mind out of the gutter, that is what beaches are for!)

It was first car that I actually owned and I bought it after returning from a certain place overseas. Drove it thru my college years and the first years of our marriage.

It had power NOTHING, 6-60 air conditioning, AM (only) radio and another unique feature: the doors would fly open if you went around a corner too fast.

Frieda drove it exactly once and remarked, "It doesn't drive like my daddy's Mercedes.)

(if you want that full story, just ask!)

My husband and I share a RAV-4. When we met, we each had a car and it took a lot of convincing for me to let go of that arrangement. I insisted that we experiment for a month, parking one car and trying to live with just the other. It worked, so we took the plunge and sold our Civic.

Having one car is great, at least in our semi-urban neighborhood. It forces us to do things as a family more often, walk a lot, and slow down. Now I want to hold out for as long as possible as a one-car family.

The biggest downside is not being as able to offer rides to friends or other kids. Between us and our two kids (with their bulky car seats), a guest can be pretty squished.

I drive an 8 year old mazda protege and DH drives a 7 year old cavalier. His car sucks lemons. Mine is still trusting and running strong. But anything after 8 years is a bit questionable. I would love a Honda Odyssey but seems like too much car for a family with one kid. I am praying that the car lasts till DD is in kindergarten and full time day care stops. We will replace the stupid cavalier in 2008. I am hoping he goes with a sensible hybrid but I doubt he will choose that.

I drive a Chevy equinox and my husband drives a pontiac grand am. We only buy GM cars since we grew up near a plant and his dad gets a discount.

We are going to need to buy a car soon. Everybody I know who owns a minivan loves it, but I just can't do it (I will be the primary driver of this car).

My only real criteria are that (1) it is SAFE SAFE SAFE (as in top of the line safety); (2) it comfortably hauls two your children plus all their related junk; and (3) it has (or can have) a DVD system placed in the front headseats or some other place for the kids.

Any suggestions?

Foamgnome -- It might even be worth having another kid just to get the Odyssey. I can't believe my worst nightmare (driving a minivan) has become my happy reality.

My 10 year old is really supportive of hybrid and electric cars and is always devising schemes to force people to buy them (his latest being that all cars made in 2010 be non-gas using). So I think our next car, whenever that is, will be a Prius.

I don't drive and I have never owned a car.

I don't feel burdened because I bought a house that is close to major bus lines and is walking distance from most places I need to go.

I have a Saab station wagon. It was bought at a very different time in our lives, when I was working and DH got an employee discount on all GM cars. We're keeping it pretty much forever (since it's paid off), and I love it more than is probably reasonable, but it's definitely not a car I'd buy now. The service costs are astronomical.

If we can ever manage to have a second child, we'll consider a mini-van. For now, though the wagon has everything we need. Plus, ventilated front seats to keep us cooler during the NC summers. I wish all cars had them...

I don't drive. for the past week my wife had the luxury of socializing with all the teachers and checking out the new renovations on the buildings at back to school week. I, like always, got stuck at home with the burdon of babysitting my kids.

Life really sucks if you can't drive.

When we moved to the DC area, we had 2 cars. I Metro-ed to work, he drove. My car stayed parked for about a year, so we sold it. We still have our Elantra hatchback. Now I drive, and he Metro-s, but he started a business that requires him to drive a few days a week, so we had to get a second car. Since we had a baby and want more, we got a hideous gold 2001 Honda Odessey. I love that beast, despite the fact that it's an eyesore and a tank. When we drive into the city, we take the Elantra. I did get an ovation for parallel parking the tank in DC once. Never again will that van see DC.

My husband and I (2 person family) have two cars, a '99 Jeep Cherokee and an '04 Honda Civic. Both we bought after we married. The Honda is for commuting (we carpool together), and the Jeep is for hauling the dogs and gear, for moving, and for back-up when the Honda is in the shop.

We'll have to buy a new SUV soon, and we're looking into hybrid ones.

Of all the cars I've owned, my favorite was my '89 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (complete with wood panelling). It had a carberator (sp?) (therefore no fuel injection), no AC, and no power steering. Yet it had power windows, which of course constantly broke. I sold the car on eBay and cried when the guy drove off. Isn't it funny how attached some of us get to cars?

I drove a Tahoe until I was pregnant with baby #2 and then I could not open the doors with my belly and the car carrier, so I bought the Odessey and it has been amazing. Fast forward a few years, and we just passed the minivan to the nanny for everyday driving and I got a 3 series BMW convertible. Now, I have the fun car. The kids love it and so do I.

I commute to work on a 1992 Honda Nighthawk 750 (motorcycle), but not as often as I should. What's not to like? 50 mpg, accelerates like a scalded egg, park it anywhere, durable as an anvil.

If you want to feel safe in a car (any car), learn to ride a motorcycle. Seriously. Nothing teaches you how to avoid lunatic drivers quite like being out in the wind. You learn very quickly how to identify and avoid those *other* maniacs on the road.

Nobody likes hearing that, but it's the truth.

Londonmom,

As much as you may hate the idea, your requirements are perfectly fulfilled by a mommyvan. I mean even the Kia mommy van has a very high crash rating (5 star, I think.) You will not believe the utility of one until you own one and want to haul the kids plus that new bathroom vanity back to the house!

AF dau survived a highspeed head on crash in one (sniff, it was the boobiemobile) with not much more than a cut lip.

Besides, Hula Girl is rather "attached" to one!

Oh yeah, and the Wagoneer got 7 miles per gallon. SEVEN. What a POS it was.

We have a 1998 Subaru wagon--the perfect family car for a two-children-and-a-dog family (with the added bonus of being powerful enough to haul a trailer up mountains for camping trips) and a 2006 Scion xB. I wasn't wild about getting the Scion, but it's been a great car--inexpensive, fabulous space inside, good gas mileage. Since DH works nights and I work days, we use the Scion for commuting and the Subaru for family trips or hauling stuff.

Before the Scion I was driving around a 1988 Oldsmobile 88. This really WAS my father's Oldsmobile--we bought it from him for $1 in 2003 and really got our money's worth. But it was a gas guzzler, needed a new transmission, and the seatbelts started getting stuck so, alas, it went the way of all things.

And before the Olds, we were a one-car family for many years, and this was at a time when my husband and I were both working normal office hours. I took public transportation (in Baltimore, hardly a great town for public transit) and was surprised to find that I loved taking the bus! It only added about 15 minutes to my commute, it gave me an hour and a half to myself each day to read or listen to music, it was dirt cheap compared to driving (no gas, no parking, no insurance, no maintenance--probably saved us a couple hundred dollars each month), and I felt morally superior to all the schmucks driving around downtown in their Hummers.

Fred, I'm asking about Daddy's Mercedes! Sounds like a story and a half!

I drive a passat wagon. We've successfully avoided ever possessing a minivan. While there are those who enjoy them, I personally loathe them. I want to feel the engine, which is the other car is a bmw convertible. And yes, those of you with young kids will get older and get able to afford one. We did the suburban thing when there were 4 at home, but things got better.

Londonmom--check out Subarus. The Legacy or Outback wagons or the Forester are all super-safe, have plenty of space for two kids and lots of junk, should be able to have a DVD player installed (not sure on that--I've never quite understood the appeal so I've never looked into it), and aren't minivans!

londonmom, why do you want the dvd option? It costs a fortune to factory install and you can get a dvd player with screen for cheap. Jeez, we just put the xbox in the middle with a portable screen and the boys either play games or watch movies but only when doing long haul.

Hmm, somewhere along the line I had a Mitsubishi Mighty Max. I loved that little truck, until it tragically met its demise on a wet, windy road two days before it was scheduled to get new tires. They weren't "racing slicks", but they were darned close!

Then it was a Saturn SL2. 10 years, 240K miles with the original engine and clutch. *sniff*

Now it's a Saturn L200. Pushing 170K. No way to know for certain since the odometer died a few years ago. So did my Hobbs meter! THAT upset me.

I also have a Ford 150 that a family member gave me when the drivers license was relenquished. Trust me, we ALL breathed easier when that happened. Too many accidents, someone was going to get hurt or killed.

My favourite cars that the family has owned were the Checker stationwagon (a civilian tank!) and the Aston Martin DB5. Yes, I had fantasies of installing the machine guns. No luck though.

Now I find myself wanting a station wagon. Diesel. Gotta haul around the kids, the dogs, the instruments and the feed and bedding for the BIG beasties. And while it's impossible, I would love to continue to get at least 30 mpg, or more.

Coffee time! Anyone want to join me in a cybercup?

maryland_mother - I'll join you for a cybercup! I'm having a tough time waking up this morning myself.... iced with milk and fake sugar for me!

Subaru's are the best! My first car was an Outback that I loved (and still do)and miss...we had to get rid of it when our 3rd and 4th kids were on the way. We traded it for Dodge Caravan that has been nothing but trouble ever since.

With 5 kids- I live in my car. The kids each have toys in the pockets of their car seats and my trunk is full of extra diapers, wipes, sweaters, towels and granola bars. We live in a n area where many things are within walking distance, but I still don't think I could manage without my car. We did get rid of my husband's car recently and have found having only one car to work just fine for us. I do refuse to have a DVD player installed b/c I don't think it is necessary to watch movies everytime we get in the car. We do have a portable one that we usually break out around hour 5 of the 12 hour drive to my Mom's.

Leslie- I think I will find a way to get headphones on my girls, because the idea of getting to listen to NPR (without complaint from the backseat) instead of High School Musical sounds like a dream!

maryland_mother, the Toyota Matrix (a stationwagon) gets 28-30 miles to the gallon, is not a hybrid, takes regular unleaded gas, and comes with that rubber/plastic coating in the trunk area (including over the wheel covers, all the way up to the windows) for hauling dogs and other messy things.

My first car was a motorcycle. Gosh that was fun -- cold and wet sometimes given it was my only motorized transportation. I try to keep this a secret from my kids now :)
I then drove a series of rusty but funky pick-up trucks and became accustomed to breaking down on the side of the road. Finally bought a very small but new Subaru. When I was 8.5 months pregnant with DD #1, the front door ceased to open from the inside. I had to beg someone to open the door from the outside or crawl over the stickshift.
I just gave up on a 12-year-old Toyota wagon I loved but was costing me too much in repairs and replaced it with a tiny Honda Fit. Great gas mileage but you SUV drivers stay away from me! My car is like the size of a ladybug.

Meesh -- One of the strange phenomena of modern life: our affection for our cars. I still wonder where that 76 Bug is now. And I can't let go of my old Ford Expedition with the troll dolls on front. I move it around the neighborhood every few days so it doesn't get towed. Cannot bear to think of someone else driving it!!!

I drove a mommyvan for seven years. Got it when I moved 650 miles from my family, because my Corolla wagon was awful on long trips with 2 kids (no cruise control, no luggage space, no power anything). The van was OK -- it didn't look like a Dodge Caravan, it had supplemental A/C (we were in Savannah), and it got decent mileage, although nothing like the Corolla. STBX absolutely HATED it -- apparently, showing up in a Mazda MPV on vacation or at the ball field was just too emasculating.

Once the van was seven years old, we started talking about new cars, and I expressed interest in a Sienna. He wanted an SUV. I said that I wasn't interested, especially not in a Suburban or Expedition. Two kids and a Lab would fit just fine in another minivan. He usually drove a (still-new at the time) Avalon. Well, the day before Thanksgiving in 1999, he asked to drive the Mazda to work. And he came home with (you all see this coming, right) a burgundy Ford Expedition. I hate it, I have always hated it and I will always hate it. The three days a year it gets me through the snow are NOT offset by the other 362 days I have to lumber around in it, try to back it up, squeeze it into parking spaces and get, I don't know, 1/2 mile to the gallon. I only keep it becuase it's paid for and my commute is less than 10 miles round trip.

We could have moved the boys into dorm rooms with a minivan. We could have hauled a small trailer on vacations with a minivan. We could go to the warehouse store with a minivan, or the hardware store, or anywhere except off-road with a minivan. And we didn't exactly off-road frequently. Well, OK, if you go to Ocean City, and you want to take your dog on the beach, you can go to the fishing beach in Delaware, drive onto the beach, and your dog can be with you, and I suppose you can't do that in a minivan...but I haven't done that in a while now.

How do you figure out your car's actual MPG? Do you just write down the mileage when you fill up the tank and then divide when it's empty? Or do you all go by the manufacturer's info?

We have four cars. We grow our own used cars by always buying a new one and then passing them all down.

I "have" the 1996 Subaru Legacy wagon. It's not driven much, but we keep it for parking at airports and on the occasional snowy day. I do not advise it as a family car -- camping trips to New Hampshire were a bear in that car. The backseat is not very comfortable either. We had children mushed in the back seat, rear area full of stuff, roof rack stuffed. The car couldn't accelerate up the hills with the A/C on. We rent an SUV or minivan for that trip these days.

Older son drives a Camry, which is a great car and big enough for packing a dorm room. Younger son has a hand-me down Civic Hybrid. Good for commutes to Rockville.

Our newest is a Toyota Prius. Truthfully we like the Honda hybrid better. It's easier to see out the windows and it handles more like a real car.

Our next purchase to replace the Camry will be a Honda "Fit". They're going to put a hybrid engine into it in an upcoming year.

Don't even ask what our insurance runs!

dotted,

As usual, you are my hero, LOL. I am mightily resisting the siren song of the dreaded minivan. Owning one would make me want to hurl, although I understand that engines aren't nearly as important to others as they are to us. If I can only get those adolescent friends of my son to shrink their legs and eat fewer snacks, we might make it through the next 6 years without succumbing.

Note to self: test-drive passat wagon. Imagine golden retriever and his friend sharing space with 4 kids and 2 adults. Stifle laughter.

I do the math. One trip I got 40 mpg in the Fit, better than maufacturer's mpg rating! (Of course, a stiff breeze can practically blow me off the road but I'm very proud of my gas mileage!)

"How do you figure out your car's actual MPG? Do you just write down the mileage when you fill up the tank and then divide when it's empty? Or do you all go by the manufacturer's info?"

I reset the trip odometer each time I fill up with gas, so to figure out the actual MPG I divide the trip mileage by however much gas I just put in to figure out my MPG. With the Scion, so far, it's been almost exactly what the manufacturer said (about 33 mpg). I'm a bit obsessive about this, but I've also found that keeping track of my mileage is a good early warning system for needed repairs or maintenance--if you start getting slightly worse mileage, it usually means the tires need more air. If there's a sudden big drop, take it to the mechanic to see what's up.

With all due respect to good motorcycle drivers out there, I disagree with fsupik (go seminoles?).

Motorcycles are good for the environment and economical when they are a person's sole mode of transportation. However, most people who own them use them as extra "fun" vechicles, so that means "fun" driving instead of neccessary driving, which means burning more fuel than you normally would.

And I doubt that driving a bike would teach me anything about reckless drivers that I could translate into car driving. Bikes are much more manuverable, so the steps you take to avoid an accident on a bike are different from the ones you would execute in a car.

Also, you have to learn to avoid cars in a bike because nothing else on the road accelerates like that. If you're going faster than everything else on the road, you are a hazard and making the road unsafe for everyone. If you're going the same speed, you don't have to avoid any accidents that other drivers don't deal with everyday.

Okay, rant over.

Since Fred no longer graces us with the cultural fact of the day, I have been inspired to contribute a Minnesota tidbit of the day.

Today's MTOTD:

The annual auction of bison from the resident herd at Blue Mounds State Park will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28 at the park. Blue Mounds State Park is located in southwestern Minnesota. From the town of Luverne, go north four miles on Minnesota Highway 75. Turn east on County Road 20 and go one mile to the park entrance.

Be there or be square, LOL.

Leslie, why couldn't your babysitter handle driving a foreign car?

And the lines between American and foreign cars are totally blurred anyway. Most foreign cars sold in the U.S. are made in factories in the U.S.

I drive a minivan and absolutely love it. I don't plan to be without one until the kids are in college. My dream car b.k. was a loaded black Passat with butter leather interior, which I paid for in cash thanks to a massive and well deserved bonus. It got flooded 18 months later, and by then I'd had my first, so it was minivan city for me. If dreams come true, I will get a BMW 3 series convertible when my kids are in college, because they are just so much fun to drive.

My first car (bought in high school) was a piece of junk, but I've got some great stories and it really made me appreciate having a new car when I was able to afford it. I don't understand parents who buy their kids new cars. Where's the fun in that? My stepdaughter drives a Toyota that's older than she is, but I'll tell you what: when she graduates college and can finally buy a Civic or a Jetta, she is going to really LOVE her car, and for the rest of her life, she can tell stories about the old piece of junk she drove in college.

One item to add: my husband is a genius with anything mechanical, so repairs on old(er) clunkers are no big deal to him. I can see that this could be a consideration for others who may not be so inclined.

Meesh: I took, but did not complete Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) training class. My one take away was that riding a motorcycle teaches a hyperawareness of physical road conditions (crown of the road, unmilled pavement) and other drivers. While it is true that motorcycles are more manuverable, they are also more vulnerable. That said irresponsible motorcyclists (like those that predominate on 495 between the Wilson Bridge and College Park) drive me CRAZY!.

We have a 2002 Honda Odyssey, and my spouse loves it. Drives like a car, hauls everything, comfortable entry / exit for older parents, takes both daughters to / from college dorms.

Our other car is a used 2002 Ford Taurus from a returned lease.

Both are 5-star rated.

We only drive each vehicle about 6,000 miles annually. We run our vehicles into the ground, and never lease. Previous vehicle a 13 year old car), and a 10 year old van.

Leslie, recommend you fill the gas tank, drive the vehicle, and fill the tank again. EPA estimates are just that under ideal lab conditions.

My main priority when buying a car before My son was born was safety -- something that could stand up to the SUVs on the road without getting one ourselves. We got a Mercedes (paid off this month!!). We bought it used (one year, 20k miles, like new), so it costs less than most SUVs. It also outweighs most SUVs, is built like a tank, and has lots of safety features, so it can hold its own in an accident. It drives like a dream AND it gets 30 mpg. Next time, we'll be back at the Mercedes dealer!

Previous car was a Saturn, which I loved when I was single but felt was too light for hauling kids around. First car: Dodge Dart. Merciless teasing for that in high school and college when everyone else drove "cool" cars, but then again, it was the one everyone piled into for group outings (and isn't everything in high school a group outing?) because it was the only one that would hold everybody. A 'character-building' car that I now remember fondly!

How do you figure out your car's actual MPG? Do you just write down the mileage when you fill up the tank and then divide when it's empty? Or do you all go by the manufacturer's info?

Posted by: lpsteiner | September 28, 2007 09:17 AM

Math--back when the odometer was working. I'll let you in on my weird little secret, I keep a little memorandum book in my car(s) and every time I buy gas I write down the date, mileage (when applicable), the price per gallon and the number of gallons. I also write down when it gets serviced, how much, what was going on, etc. If I were REALLY particular, I'd include the ongoing insurance cost for that particular vehicle. Fortunately, it's low, but it still adds up.

Engineers, why in the world won't the car companies install a hobbs meter? I had to go find an airplane mechanic to put one in for me. It was VERY frustrating. I think that hours per use in conjunction with miles driven would give us a lot of useful information.

Someday a child will want a car, and will inherit a beater. At least they'll know it was properly maintained!

Meesh, thanks for the tip on the Matrix. True confessions, I was looking at a Honda CR-V two weeks ago and feeling lustful. It was a beautiful dark blue, AWD, moonroof...I was also fantasizing about a Brenderup.

*sigh*

I'm just too cheap to get rid of a car before it's 10 years of age or better. I pretty much want them driven into the ground, first.

Dotted, I'm with you on the milk (skim, please), but you lost me on the fake sugar! Come on, it's CYBER coffee, you can enjoy the real thing!

Speaking of "the real thing", has anyone else here discovered the Reading Draft sodas? Ohmigod, they have wonderful sodas. White birch beer is my favourite, the kids prefer the orange cream and vanilla cream. The sarsparilla is wonderful too.

Hmm, I think it's time to get another case. And some amaretto and orange cream cordials too. (I hide those from the kids and bring them into work. You all are invited to have some.)

MN, good call! Have you been watching "The War" on PBS this week? I assume so, since Luverne, MN., figures prominently in the depiction of the home front during WW II.

DH has a passat, which he loves. When I was due with DS #1, I told him we needed a new car. He had a miata (number 1 reason for selling one is your wife is pregnant - that's how he got it in the first place) and a chevy blazer, which I HATED. So we sold both and got the passat.
At some point, when we were thinking of a second, I told him I was going to need a new car. When we took DS with 2 dogs and all the gear to his parent's cabin for the weekend, he realized I was correct (I drove an acura integra at the time). SO I went shopping for something with a third row seat (so we could actually have a passenger in the car other than the family) and I liked smaller cars, so I didn't want a HUGE SUV. So I came home one day with the news to DH: there's a reason people drive minivans.

So I drive a Mazda MPV (the mini-est of minivans). I really like it. It's small, compared to other minivans, which I like. We use my car on weekends now - and even tho DH protests, I think he actually likes it.

AND, for the au pair, last spring we got a VW jetta (1997, I think). What a PAIN IN THE NECK it is to get a used car (it's manual). So we actually have three cars.

Yes, as mentioned yesterday, I feel burdened by the car. I SO HATE DRIVING> even though we never go too far (that's why we live in the city). I so want to move somewhere I could never have to drive again *sigh*.

The Mercedes Story

(Good thing Frieda is on vacation and will not see this!)

Her daddy owned a 1972 MB 280 SE. It was a beautiful car--such a engineering marvel for a mass produced car back then.

On to the story, my Valiant had manual brakes, manual steering, manual windows (but automatic opening door!) but it did have an auto transmission. Frieda decided she wanted to drive it for some reason in uptown N.O. So off we went up Oak street when we came to S. Carrolton. The street car runs in the middle of Carrolton so you have to cross one lane of traffic stop on the streetcar tracks and make a turn onto Carrolton when the other lane is clear. She made it onto the neutral ground (you know, the median) and then made a left turn onto Carrolton. Well, she only turned the wheel 1/2 turn when you needed about 16 turns of the wheel to go round a corner. We were headed straight towards a flower shop on the corner when I reached over and gave the wheel about 15 1/2 more cranks.

When we were finally going straight down Carrolton she looked at me and said, "This doesn't drive like my daddy's Mercedes!"

(She hates it when I tell this story!)

Leslie, how about a discussion here one day on Mass Transit and Balance, too?

Since this blog is based in a major city, it might be appropriate for chatters to discuss how they handle riding public transportation, especially with children in tow -- either in lieu of motor vehicle ownership, or instead of owning so many. You could consider, e.g., issues like youth discounts, and whether employers subsidize free or reduced-fare benefits for employees (which DH and I enjoy here in our flyover-country urban area).

off balance update: Fo4's voicemail from a year ago just popped up on my cell phone as "about to expire" and for the 10th time i saved it for another 40 days. his voicemail is as good as his posts.

Good idea mehitabel,
I live far from public transport but when we go into Boston, my kids love the trains. They love to stand up and try to keep their balance as it moves and they love to watch all the different people who get on and off. Never mind the museums -- we'll just ride the subway for entertainment.

we have a 97 Dodge Dakota long-bed pickup and a 98 Honda Civic. Bought both used and got good deals. It makes a HUGE difference in our lives that we don't have car payments! Think about all the extra trips and little luxuries we get to have because we insist on driving cheap, old cars.

We're incredibly fortunate now because DH has a government car, which means gas is paid for, and commuting time counts as time on the job! It means he's home more and our onld beater truck gets reserved for the real tasks we bought it for: renovating the house and frequent trips to the dump!

Maryland Mother wrote: "I keep a little memorandum book in my car(s) and every time I buy gas I write down the date, mileage (when applicable), the price per gallon and the number of gallons. I also write down when it gets serviced, how much, what was going on, etc."

Oh, Maryland Mother, you bring back such fond memories of the only new vehicle our family ever owned. My father kept a pocket-sized logbook where he meticulously recorded all that info, too, although (back in the era before mandatory state inspections) he did all the basic maintenance/tuneups of the car himself.

After about 20 years my dad bought a newer (albeit gently-used) car, but since the old flivver still ran pretty well he sold it to a young man ISO a first car. The new owner repainted it a different color and fixed it up. For several more years, from time to time my dad would see the car moving in traffic or parked along a street, and it pleased him to know that the car still ran.

Oh, and funny story from this week:

We get in the mail a ticket from a red light camera. It was, apparently, for my au pair's car. So I was looking and looking at it - as my DH has a VW passat and the au pair drives a VW jetta, and they're both silver, to make sure I knew which car it was.

So she was REALLY upset about it. I felt almost bad - but at least she knows someone's watching (DS was not in the car at the time - he was in preschool).

We weren't upset, as it doesn't affect insurance (they can't prove who was driving), so she just needs to pay the fine. But she was so upset.

sniffle, sniffle. This subject bring a tear of joy to eye. I drive a pearl white 2007 g35 infiniti. My wife drives a black 2004 expedition. I love cars.

Speaking of Mercedes, does anyone want to buy Perry's old one?

I will autograph it.

It's is a lovely navy blue with tan leather interior. He's a fanatic about keeping cars neat so it hasn't been trashed like my Expedition. No funky hood ornaments.

Year 2000

ML 430

Around 35,000 miles

Blue book value ranges from $13-17,000 (wholesale vs. retail price).

Email me your best offer!

leslie@lesliemorgansteiner.com

BTW a discussion on the coolness of cars is really wasted on women. Most women I know are fine if the thing is full of gas and gets them to their destination. Conversely a discussion about handbags with men is essentially pointless too.

When my 2-door hatchback developed major issues a few months after #1 kid was born, we bought a 2002 Civic 4 door. 2 door vehicles and infant seats are not a good combination. We kind of wanted a minivan but managed to restrain ourselves at the time when we only had one kid and also didn't want to commit to large car payments at the time. Even though we knew we would probably want/need a larger vehicle eventually, we figured that's what we'd get to replace my husband's 1996 Prizm when the time came. So we bought a 2002 Honda Odyssey (used) a few months before #3 arrived. We still have and use the Civic but we can't fit all three kids in it due to carseats. So we exchange vehicles a lot depending on who will have all three kids. I'd be tempted to buy another larger vehicle just for the convenience except I've noticed the huge difference in gas and car maintenance due to having the minivan. And rumor has it that the kids won't be in carseats forever.

Atlmom: When I read "DS was not in the car at the time - he was in preschool," my immediate reaction was that that was how you figured out he wasn't the one driving (LOL!). Thanks for the smile. But it's also a sign that I must go get more caffeine -- NOW!!!

Yes, driving my G-35 is the only way that I can balance out driving the Creepy Van (tm) on those Lowe's and Home Depot trips!

Speaking of which, it is time to go wash the G-35!

pATRICK,

Gee, you were not intrigued by AF Dau bullet proof Coach purse?

Speaking of which, it is time to go wash the G-35

ME TOO! It is friday and nothing better than driving home in a clean shiny G35.

Fred,
I learned to drive on a Plymouth Fury land yacht - power nothing! I remember turning and turning the steering wheel to go around a corner and really standing on the brake.
Fast forward to my first vehicle with power steering and power brakes. I almost ran into myself the first time I drove it as I yanked the wheel as tho it were the Fury. Stopped pretty quick too as I remember.

Mehitabel: well, actually my other DS asked last night if he could DRAW a car on the road.

And I thought he asked if he could DRIVE a car on the road. So I told him no and he asked why and I said mommy and daddy would go to jail...etc...and he got a little upset and wondered what i was talking about. So then it was all cleared up, but pretty funny, at least to me.

but no, we don't let either kid (2 and 5) drive yet.

BTW a discussion on the coolness of cars is really wasted on women. Most women I know are fine if the thing is full of gas and gets them to their destination. Conversely a discussion about handbags with men is essentially pointless too.

Posted by: pATRICK | September 28, 2007 10:03 AM

Oh, I don't know about that. I married into a family of car nuts (male and female) and, while *my* idea of a cool car is "a (sort-of fast) red convertible" or "the car Tom Selleck drove in Magnum PI" my SIL can talk intelligently about things like the relative merits of a Shelby (a Mustang, right?) versus a Torino.

And I had a cool car once -- a Beetle with an clutchless manual (you shifted gears and eased up on the gas pedal when you shifted -- and I don't have any idea of the point of THAT for a 1/3 hp engine!) that didn't start if the outside temp was above 80, that had heat on the feet only and non-closeable vents on the 'dashboard' that blew cold air on your hands (so I had sweaty feet and frostbitten fingers in the winter) and all the other quirks of a Beetle.

We have an 8 year old Mazda protege, and a 4 year old MPV (minivan). I usually drive the Protege, but we switch off as necessary if we need more room or are carrying the kid around. It really is not that big of an issue with only one child now. I love the roominess of the minivan, but I prefer the Protege. I just find it easier to maneuver. The Protege has been great so far, and is still going strong (even if it looks a little worn and worse for the wear). I hope it lasts another couple of years at least (I think it easily will). It is nice not having a car payment. After that, we will probably replace it with something comparable. And when the minivan dies, we will get another one.

KLB, was the Plymoyuth Fury the car in "Christine"?

KLB, was the Plymouth Fury the car in "Christine"?

Awww pATRICK, that's not true for every woman...

I agree with the motorcycle driver, I think it's obvious if you drive a small car versus a large lifted truck or large hummer/SUV. When you are used to driving a small car you can really see how all these other cars on the road could easily destroy you and so therefore have to drive almost defensively, not letting your ego get in the way, and make sure to avoid accidents that would be the other person's fault.

My first car was an '87 Ford Tempo. I loved that car. It wasn't anythign special, but I was so sad when I heard the kid we sold it to totalled it about a month later. *sniff* I drive a '95 Chevy Camaro right now and love it. It is maybe a bit too big for me, but it's the smaller engine (3.4 liter) so gets ok mileage (22-24 in my city/highway combo driving) and is unique and fun for me. Unfortunately, it's in the shop right now! Sometimes I call it "Barbie's Dream Car" because it seems like it's largely made out of plastic and if it were pink reminds me of a barbie car I had as a child. Would love to get a civic hybrid, but new car is not on the menu right now.

As far as parents getting DVD players for their kids so they can listen to what they want, I think that's silly. My parents ALWAYS chose what was on the radio, no matter where we were going. I soon developed an appreciation for my Mom's jazz/soul music and my Father's classic rock. And my Mom introduced me to NPR as well, and I also remember a little gold casette tape that had many of Mozart's classics on it. It's not a bad thing to get your kid to broaden their horizons a little with what you choose to listen to, whether it is "cool" or not.

Posted by: educmom_615 | September 28, 2007 10:19 AM

True, you will find some women here and there. But from my experience and (horror) women tend to let the car get trashed and don't give a flip. See Leslie as example above.

In regards to an earlier comment about DVD players - please don't get one if it is mounted so that at night the car behind you can see it. They are a distraction. I find myself changing lanes to get away from them (I drive a Jetta so maybe another mini-van or SUV wouldn't have the same angle). You wouldn't want to be rear ended because the driver behind you was distracted by the DVD your kids were watching and took slightly longer to notice your brake lights.

pATRICK -- that is the nicest compliment you have ever paid to women on this blog! Imagine, we don't care about a material object except for its practical purpose. Thank you!

BTW a discussion on the coolness of cars is really wasted on women. Most women I know are fine if the thing is full of gas and gets them to their destination. Conversely a discussion about handbags with men is essentially pointless too.

Posted by: pATRICK | September 28, 2007 10:03 AM

Posted by: educmom_615 | September 28, 2007 10:19 AM

True, you will find some women here and there. But from my experience and (horror) women tend to let the car get trashed and don't give a flip. See Leslie as example above.

Posted by: pATRICK | September 28, 2007 10:26 AM

Even by your standards, this is insulting tripe, LOL. You wouldn't consider Leslie an example of all womanhood in any other context. Don't start now. We've discussed before that you need to get out with a more interesting crowd of women - lord knows there are plenty who appreciate both design AND power.

Actually, when we went on a road trip to FL, my DH discussed it and we realized that it would make things much better if we had a DVD in the car. So we bought one - but it's portable. So we put it in the car when we're going far (in the car more than 2 hours, depending). The kids don't expect it on a daily basis, and they are occupied on a long haul - and really, when we were kids, there were no carseats, people didn't use seatbelts, technically you could just curl up in the back and take a nap - but you can't do that now.

But we don't often listen to the radio/music, but sometimes, but the only thing in my car is kid music.

Or i put on the spanish language station so the kids can learn spanish. hasn't happened yet, but i'm hoping that 10 minutes every few months will work!

I care! I want a late 60s model Camaro SS, or maybe an early 70s corvette. However, my husband is logical and knows that we don't need anything sucking money/time out of our lives. So *sigh* no classic car for me...

Re those who "tend to let the car get trashed and don't give a flip":

I would gently suggest to pATRICK that some people, regardless of gender, tend to take good care of their possessions (not just vehicles) and keep them functioning well for as long as possible rather -- than running them into the ground, which is a wasteful trait, not a practical one (Leslie).

MN,

So, which model Ferrari can I interest you in?

(bumper sticker on the Creepy Van (tm))

My daughter's car is a Humvee!

I don't know, pATRICK, I think some of us can be taught! I've learned to love my husband's 65 mustang, 57 chevy (in parts, home to many generations of squirrels, "to be restored") and 62 caddy convertible. I don't worry about environmental effects because none of them actually run, LOL. Looking forward to the Carlisle & Hershey car shows next week! BTW we bought an Explorer for the sole purpose of towing the above...

"We've discussed before that you need to get out with a more interesting crowd of women "

I nominate for Quote of the Month!!!!

mehitabel,

Functional doesn't have anything to do with permitting french fries to get ground into the carpet or permitting gum to be "stored" on an armrest. I'm sure Leslie gets her oil changed regularly and follows all of the maintenance recommendations to the letter. Hence, she's not running her car into the ground. But she's not exactly living, either, LOL.

Miles - you are speaking my language. What a vision!

Chitty, agreed, I loved that quote too!!! Nice job MN.

I can feel my nemesis warming up, so here goes:

Mehitabel loves me.
Mehitabel loves me.
Mehitabel loves me.

Ooooommmmmm.

True, you will find some women here and there. But from my experience and (horror) women tend to let the car get trashed and don't give a flip. See Leslie as example above.

Posted by: pATRICK | September 28, 2007 10:26 AM

Well, yes, and I'm not very neat with my truck. However, the biggest auto slob I have ever met is son #1 (he of the multiple speeding tickets). His Camry has so much stuff in it (clothes, books, empty soda cups and frappucino bottles, food wrappers, and more clothes) that, when it was broken into (I actually think one door was unlocked -- what car thief bothers to pick a lock on a 12-year-old car) the only way he realized it was that the papers and CDs in his console were on the driver's seat.

Son #2 (who didn't get a car until graduation -- a used Mustang that cost the same as the car we got son #1) keeps his car in pristine condition. He allows NO ONE to eat or drink in it. He throws out any accumulated trash (admittedly, not much) as soon as he parks. He WAXES it. He even takes it to Jiffy Lube himself

Oh yeah, son #1 didn't do ANY of that stuff the year he was away, and he put 10,000+ miles on the car, so his engine sort of 'seized up' in May. Thank goodness STBX has a cousin who is a Toyota mechanic, otherwise the boy would be walking because he could not have afforded to pay full price for that repair -- he could barely afford what he did pay. Talk about turning the key and waiting for the magic to happen!

Yes, our first car pool car was also a Ford Expedition (1997; vehicle's very 1st year). We got it because it seated eight "with seat belts," both requirements to join the Mother of All Car Pools. It took a computer to schedule, but allowed kids to be picked up from right after school plus once an hour thereafter until 6:30pm to accommodate after school activities. Wonderful.

We still have that Expedition after 11 years and its still going strong with 224,000 miles ("just getting her broken in," says our mechanic).

After the car pool days (we still call our Expedition the Ark), it was both our children's first car - safe, slow, and big as a tank - and worked great as a backup vehicle when DW's or my car was in the shop. With our youngest just off to college, I now drive it most every day and its a great family truck for hauling and going to the lake.

I have a 6-year old Subaru Forester and, while the gas mileage is not great, in my regularly snowbound northern region, I believe the ABS has saved me from smacking into other cars and immovable objects several times. I'd rather not have a car, but have to until I find a closer job.

Oh, I forgot to mention the other beloved, quirky car we owned. A 1967 Range Rover station wagon. It had even seen action in Africa. Back in the days when the grills were metal and you could take them off in order to *gasp!* GRILL on them!

By the time "Jane" was too high-maintenance and my dad gave it to the mechanic as payment for other auto bills, it was driven to the shop on 2 cylinders. The mechanics were in awe of its powers. The shop owner fixed it up and kept it. I think "Jane" is still with him. I should ask.

I still think that the DB5 qualifies as our "coolest care--ever!"

If Leslie is looking for love from chatters on this blog she is bound to be disappointed, because it's an inappropriate expectation. The best she can hope for is respect, but that must be earned. But when a B-schooler has to ask how to calculate MPG -- which the average elementary-schooler who's had long-division and decimals can computer -- and then is so tacky as to use her own blog as a free classified ad for a family car, well, there's still work to be done on the respect-earning front.

Wish I had my own photo to post, but this'll do:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_DB5

Should read "can compute" (never took typing in school).

Mehitabel loves me.
I love Mehitabel.
Mehitable loves me.
I love Mehitabel...

pATRICK,

I rise to your defense (partially). I can unequivocally state that Frieda and sainted mom are/were certainly much more interested in their purses than their vehicles.

"I don't care as long as it has gas in it and it runs!" Frieda

"All cars are ugly." Sainted Mom

Leslie,
I love you, even if others don't. My car is pretty much trashed too. Mechanically, I keep it up, and it runs fine. But the inside is kind of like an extension of my purse, just bigger.

And I DO know how to divide! I was looking for practical tips on how to get the real MPG. You put me on a pedestal, Mehitabel! (Wow, that kind of rhymes.) I don't know EVERYTHING...

Thank you, Emily.

I wonder if there is a parallel between how women treat their purses and their cars. You are right that we think of cars as a really large purse...good psychological insight for all those car manufacturers studying the blog today.

No, Leslie, words only mean what they mean. Reread what I wrote and take it literally -- do not infer what's not there.

Leslie,

I'm still good on that offer of a double-scoop. Life is short, dessert first!

MdM

I LOVE YOU MEHITABEL!

Leslie,
I am crushed that you don't like flan. How about chocoate flan? Have you ever had it?

MN,

So, which model Ferrari can I interest you in?

Posted by: Fred | September 28, 2007 10:36 AM

Fred, since I would never insult your Sainted Mother, I can't respond to your last post although it richly deserves a response. ahem.

The answer to your question above, though, is easy, LOL. Any model you are driving!!

"Imagine, we don't care about a material object except for its practical purpose." Yeah. Right. I'm betting that when Leslie was dressing for that Obama fundraiser, her mantra was, "I don't care what outfit makes me look the hottest, prettiest, most professional AND thinnest. Clothes are merely objects to cover me sufficiently so that I am not arrested for indecent exposure. Any old thing will do. Why, I think I'll don this 7-year old marigold wool skirt, that 10-year old lime green sweater, and my handy tan Birkenstocks. Who really cares about appearances, anyway?"

Leslie,

Here's a two-fer.

This mantra always works for me AND is on topic:

Chitty chitty, chitty chitty, chitty chitty, chitty chitty,
chitty chitty,
(Bang - Bang)
Bang Bang!
chitty chitty
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Oh you pretty Chitty Bang Bang,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
We love you.
And, in
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
What we'll do.
Near, far, in our motor car Oh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Oh you pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
We love you.
And, in
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
What we'll do.
Near, far, in our motor car
Oh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Your sleek as a thoroughbred.
Your seats are a feather bed.
You'll turn everybody's head today.
We'll glide on our motor trip
With pride in our ownership
The envy of all we survey.
Oh Chitty You Chitty
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
We love you.
And Chitty, in Chitty
Pretty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang what we'll do.
Near Chitty, far Chitty, in our motor car Oh what a happy time we'll spend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.
Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Our fine four fendered friend.....(hold)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Fine four fendered Chitty Chitty friend.

________________________________

Leslie,
I love you, even if others don't.

Posted by: Emily | September 28, 2007 10:53 AM

Teachers Pet. Suck-Up.

(Give me time; I'll think of some more, LOL.)

"Fred, since I would never insult your Sainted Mother, I can't respond to your last post although it richly deserves a response. ahem."

Since AF dau was named after sainted mother and AF dau has "certain skills" and access to "certain items", good idea not to respond to sainted mother's quote.

whispering

(hey, mom, you were wrong about cars!)

I drive a mauve '92 Honda Civic. My grandmother handed it down to me when I got my driver's license in 11th grade (she upgraded to an Accord). I have driven that thing into the ground - back and forth to HS internships/jobs, college 2 hours from home, and now to and from work in Arlington. Of all the 'adventures', Arlington parking garages have wrecked the most havoc - the passenger side doors are a *bit* scraped. This spring, I spent more than $900 to get "The Raisin" running again (it needed a new fuel relay switch, as well as an essentially re-built rear suspension) - probably about what the car is worth, but I just wasn't ready to commit to a car payment yet. I know it'll be due for even more expensive repairs by next summer (tires, CV joints), so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a good deal on the 2008 Escape Hybrid - my ideal vehicle for hauling a rapidly-growing lab puppy to and from the 'grandparents' in Fairfax, as well as facilitating winter snowboarding trips and future furniture moving.

Emily, I knew it was just a matter of time before the nerds went after you, posing as the holders of the high moral ground. They are just sucking up to me in disguise. Life is just like high school all over again. Oh well.

I might like chocolate flan if we could put some homemade whipped cream and chocolate chips on top. Trying to keep an open mind.

Emily -- Thought of you the other day when I found this recipe for Pumpkin Flan:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/233017

"Why, I think I'll don this 7-year old marigold wool skirt, that 10-year old lime green sweater, and my handy tan Birkenstocks. Who really cares about appearances, anyway?"

Oh, MN, I think I know exactly which outfit of Leslie's you mean! The sweater with the moth-holes and the skirt where part of the stitching has ripped at the top of the kick-pleat, right? No point in mending, it's so impractical to try to make things last. Just wear 'em out as quickly as possible, then add to the landfill.

MN, here are some more:

Brown noser
A$$ kisser

and my personal favorite which I used to call my sister:

Goody f-ing shoe (I guess I thought she only had one foot or something)

I might like chocolate flan if we could put some homemade whipped cream and chocolate chips on top. Trying to keep an open mind.

Posted by: lpsteiner | September 28, 2007 11:09 AM

Yeah, than add some ice cream, some chocolate syrup, get rid of the flan...pretty good!

Of course whipped cream and chocolate chips. In Barcelona, they normally eat regular flan with whipped cream anyway, so whipped cream would not even be an innovation. I am going to have to experiment in the kitchen.

And hey, nothing wrong with being the teacher's pet. I had that honor since I was a tiny little kid, and it always worked in my favor.

My first care was a 1991 Cougar, a special edition that had a half rag top, brass trim, little side lights on the outside with brass hearts on it - a granny-mobile, according to my friends. I loved it - two door, so when my friends rode with me I could just pile them three or four at a time in the back, no seatbelts, and they'd all stay fairly safe (or so I told myself). I was the designated driver when we went the 1.5 hours each way to our favorite bar, and my 'Endora' was just fine (named so because she looked like a dowager, and my birthday is the same as the lady that played Endora on Bewitched).

I got my Camry when Endora died a few years ago (blown head gasket). I've replaced the engine and radiator in the Camry (named 'Tabitha' because she looks like the granddaughter of my old car) and has been great.

Partner had a lavender Dodge Caravan when we got married - it died last year and we replaced it with a 2006 Kia Sedona. I didn't like minivans before I was married - but now that I'm going on 14-20 hour car trips two or three times a year with church, and getting no sleep at night trying to keep up with everything at home, I'm in love with them - I drive the minivan to work on days I'm REALLY tired, and sneak out to a shady spot and take a nap in the back at lunch time!

The Kia has been really good - noisier on the road than the Caravan, but drives well, has lots of 'get-up-and-go' and all the frills we need (didn't get the leather and power doors, though).

Oh I get it mehitabel, this is "How to get kicked off On Balance in 10 days" styled after the Kate Hudson movie of a similar name. I suggest you up the profanity, and go for more threats than just personal insults ... just kidding ... it's been mildly amusing.

I drive a 1989 Pontiac Trans Am with manual transmission. Needless to say, I try to avoid being anywhere NEAR the Wilson Bridge after 2pm. My knee just can't take the abuse anymore. :-)

Re: RebeccainAR's last post.
Do men ever name their cars or is that just a female thing?

Oh, MaryL, you wag!

I would be proof that you tend to treat your car like your purse.

As I mentioned yesterday, I clean my purse out every week. The Honda is also pristine (on the inside). We vaccuum it and clean the windows. We don't wash the outside as frequently because it's such a waste of water and we're on water restrictions here in NC. The dog car (Jeep) is hairy but clutter free.

pATRICK, to add to the chorus, I have loved and cared for and named each one of my cars. "Georgia," "Indiana," "Big Red," and "Blue Streak." My brother, on the other hand, has probably never changed the oil in his hand-me-down Cherokee, and it's always full of stuff.

WorkingmomX - Thanks for the recipe. That sounds really good. Maybe for Thanksgiving.

Spouse and daughter #1 keep their vehicles immaculately. Daughter #2 has a car that looks like an extension of her room.
I wrote with maintenance schedules for offspings' vehicles, but it up to them to follow it.

For spouse, I take care of the maintenance. In her words, "I just want to turn the key, and keep it filled with gas".

Posted by: pATRICK | September 28, 2007 10:26 AM

Even by your standards, this is insulting tripe, LOL. You wouldn't consider Leslie an example of all womanhood in any other context. Don't start now. We've discussed before that you need to get out with a more interesting crowd of women - lord knows there are plenty who appreciate both design AND power.

OK, wink wink MN, women love cars, they keep them pristine and talk about them and buy car magazines left and right. Men want to talk about handbags every chance they get. Feel better now? You need to get off your high horse, i would bet twenty bucks that I could pull 10 women and men at random and prove my point.

Motorcycles and the DC area do not go together. You can be the greatest motorcycle driver on the planet, but it won't mean squat if another driver doesn't see you and slams into you going 60 mph.

I have lost two friends to motorcyle accidents in DC - in both cases the other driver just didn't see them.

Ok, Miles, you are my new official dessert soulmate.

*****

This is actually what I wore to Obama, you morons:

Black silk pajama pants
Black Ann Taylor sleeveless shell
Green and gold silk jacket (butterfly design) with matching belt
Flat silver sandals with fake jewels

For the environmentally sensitive, I did not purchase any new items for this event. All were existing in my closet and at least three years old. Not sackcloth but close!

It was actually quite a challenge dressing for this event. I wanted to ask everyone's advice here but the washpost editors would not let me because it was a paid fundraising event (journalistic ethics, you know).

The challenges were multiple: outdoor event. hot sun at 3 pm, cool by 7 pm. picnic. no high heels allowed because of the weird thick grass in Oprah's "meadow." critical not to overdress (gauche). also critical to signal my keen fashion sense. further complicated by california location (totally different fashion vibe v. dc). Holly Peete Robinson told me she loved my jacket so I believe I accomplished my goals.

On the Today Show at 3:30 am the next morning I wore a solid blue silk jacket and the same black pants and sandals. I had only gotten three hours sleep which actually helped because I was too tired to be nervous. I nearly fell asleep between questions.

Well, the kids named the Creepy Van (tm) the Creepy Van (tm). Kids named the Boobiemobile (RIP). Brother named the replacement for the Boobiemobile (Ford Escape) the Quad B--Bright Blue Boobie Buggy. I named AF dau car the Boobie Twin as it is exactly the same vehicle as her mother has. But the newest Infiniti (my car) does not have a name as well as the other Infiniti (my old car) (stolen)

POS is probably the most common name given by guys to their cars!

MaryL, please do not encourage her. She needs love, not further temptation.

Dad called the rambler station wagon Ole Bessie.

Fred,
I love the boobiemobile. Did Frieda use it for her lactation visits?

When my son was nursing, he would always ask for boobie. It was so cute. It was his first word.

MEESH was it you defending motorcycles? No way would I get on a motorcycle in traffic.Get a motorcycle get ready, you have just signed up for a painful accident in your future.

DH keeps talking about getting a motorcycle. I can't tell if he just wants to get on my nerves, or is really serious. I really wouldn't want him to get one.

Emily

"When my son was nursing, he would always ask for boobie. It was so cute. It was his first word"

And will probably be his last word...

LOL Fred. The Boobiemobile. My god.

I had a car stolen too. A Mitsubishi Mirage. In Boston, the capital of car thievery. A very cute mobile. I still miss it.

When my husband lived in Europe, I noticed that a lot of people use motor scooters as transportation in the cities. He had one too, and we always used it instead of his Passat when we wanted to get around in the city (parking was a big problem with cars). It did not feel particular unsafe, but I wonder what the stats are for accidents on them in Europe. I get the sense that in the US, motorcycles are more of a speed and danger thing, and that in Europe, scooters are more like motorized bikes. So they may not be comparable at all.

Firefighters call motorcycle riders "organ donors".

I have occasionally given names to my cars. I've had a Noah, a Stella (the one that broke down all the time, it was great so I could do my best Marlon Brand scream), and a Barney (it was the same color as the purple dinosaur).

Leslie: did you just really call us morons? I find that offensive.

At least Emily is raising her son to value the right things in life. I can think of a lot worse last words.

Has anyone here ever gotten through to NPR's CarTalk with a question? I have tried but never succeeded.

OK, wink wink MN, women love cars, they keep them pristine and talk about them and buy car magazines left and right. Men want to talk about handbags every chance they get. Feel better now? You need to get off your high horse, i would bet twenty bucks that I could pull 10 women and men at random and prove my point.

Posted by: pATRICK | September 28, 2007 11:24 AM

pATRICK, I didn't feel bad to begin with and don't feel the need to take your admittedly easy money. I didn't realized you'd not only woken up on the wrong side of the bed, but had fallen into a compost pile on your way to work. I have no comment on men and handbags and am not sure why you want to discuss a topic about which you profess no interest.

My comment was in response to your silly assertion (not based on any objective fact so, we must conclude, based on your anecdotal experiences, e.g., your choice of women as friends and more) that women don't care about cars, e.g., design, engineering and power. The absurdity of your assertion was only exceeded by that fact that your proposed to support it by holding up Leslie as Ye Olde Model of Average Womanhood. My ride is considerably more powerful than an equine, whether or not height disadvantaged, but feel free to turn on me if you haven't anything better to do today, LOL. Better that than kicking a dog.

Leslie - is there some higher journalistic purpose in accusing unnamed posters of being nerds and morons today? Perhaps you need some chocolate to take the edge off.

Now, back to that '68 Camaro, Miles . . .

pATRICK, A young relative died in a motorcycle accident (leaving behind a small child). And one of DH's colleagues was killed when his chopper (evidently part of a mid-life crisis) was struck at a busy intersection by a car turning improperly. Helmets certainly help reduce mortality and severity of head injuries but, like car safety-belts and air-bags, nothing can work 100% of the time, depending on the nature of the crash.

Awww, I don't drive. Everyone said, "you have to have a car in California." But I don't, and I do okay. It makes it a little tough to carry groceries, but as a student, it guarantees that I will spend less of my very small student loan stipend on travel. There are upsides (more exercise, less pollution, less wasted cash) and downsides (there is very little public transportation here, have to rely on boyfriend to go more than a few miles, and I'm not looking forward to the rainy season). Next year, I will probably get a car, but right now I'm enjoying my minimalist lifestyle.

But I used to drive. My first car was an ugly green 1993 Dodge Dynasty. That one kept stalling out (still don't know why), so I traded it in for a new 1998 Plymouth Neon that I loved dearly. It got stolen a month before I paid it off. I used the insurance money to buy a clunky old white Oldsmobile Achieva. The cooling system was crap, but the car was sturdy, powerful, and usually reliable. It was ugly as can be, but I loved that piece of crap. I sold it before I moved out here.

My car stories are boring--but I'm enjoying reading yours! :-)

"I, like always, got stuck at home with the burdon of babysitting my kids."

Does your mommy at least give you an allowance for baby-sitting?

My favorite car was a Fiat X-19. I would take the roof off (hard top) and store it in the trunk (in the front - rear engine) and take off! We would drive from Fort Jackson SC to Fort Bragg NC for the weekend at least once a month.
The downside is that Fiat stands for Fix It Again Tony for a good reason.

i would bet twenty bucks that I could pull 10 women and men at random and prove my point.

Posted by: pATRICK | September 28, 2007 11:24 AM

Yep, I'm one...sorry MN, but I think pATRICK might be right on this one.

Now, no more sniping. It's Friday, the sun is out and it's Friday (need I remind you it's Friday?)!

Alright, I'll try to stay on topic with this - the cars I/we have owned are:

1. 1975 Ford Pinto (the kind with the gas tank that exploded when rear-ended) - bought in 1980 as an undergrad; sold after getting out of grad school. It had 83K miles when I got rid of it. For added effect, the gas filler pipe ridge had been knocked out before I bought it, so you could put regular leaded gas in it instead of having to pay for the more expensive unleaded kind. Just don't ask about the catalytic converter!

2a. 1983 Datsun 280Z. Bought it when I got my first job after grad school. Why yes, it was a p***s-mobile - I was young, single, and had money for the first time in my life. Sold it in 1990 with 123K miles on it - had one kid and the second one on the way.

2b. 1984 Camaro - DW's car when we got married. Is there a female equivalent to a p***s-mobile? If so, this was hers. She bought it after she got her first real job after graduation from college. We sold it in 1991 with 98K miles on it - had two kids and the third on the way.

3. 1990 Ford Explorer. Loved that car; drove it in Colorado and really used the 4WD! It rolled over on I-70 in western Kansas (lost a battle with an 18-wheeler over who had the lane), and we all walked away.

4. 1991 Ford Explorer. Replaced the one that rolled over. Sold it in 1999 with 118K miles on it.

5. 1991 Ford Escort. It became daughter #1's car. It finally died in June 2007 - 16 years old, 268K miles on the odometer.

6. 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan. The first minivan. Piece of excrement. Nearly bankrupted us with maintenance costs. Sold it in 2003 with 108K miles.

7. 2004 Toyota Sienna. Love it. Much better than the Honda Odyssey in our comparison. Has 87K miles on it; running great. 8-passenger van; very reliable.

8. 2006 Toyota Corolla. My "new" vehicle - it was tough to find one with a stickshift. Like it a lot.

9. 2000 VW Passat wagon. Bought it this summer to replace the Escort as the kids' car; DW has now claimed it and made the minivan into the kids' car. A friend who's in the AF got orders for England; had to sell this car because the steering wheel's on the wrong side for use over there. 85K miles when we got it; so far, it's pretty good.

All cars except the two minivans had/have manual transmissions - can you tell we hate automatics?

Wow - looking at this list would probably tell some shrink a lot about my life!

The current car is a four door Saturn, that's absolutely beautiful in gas mileage, but couldn't outrun a brick. Still, it gets me where I need to go, and has enough space for the dog in the backseat. I'm going to drive it until it dies.

The old car was a 1979 Chevette. I'm not even sure what color to call it, between the spray paint, home done paint jobs, and duct tape. That car made driving an adventure in itself. It refused to go over 55, maybe 60 if it was in a good mood, and it lacked power anything. I'd get an upper body workout trying to back it out in the parking lot. It was, however, nice and small for parallel parking. I've got fond memories of my old junker car, and still miss it, even with my Saturn.

KLB:
"The downside is that Fiat stands for Fix It Again Tony for a good reason."

BWAAH! I can say a few things about the "Found On Road Dead; Pain In Neck To Owner" that was my first car.

(An alternative being "Fix Or Repair Daily.")

I am going to stick up for pATRICK (again!) today. Women may love their individual cars but in general, I do not see a passion for all things automotive.

I will note that there are a lot of women who do work in the automotive industry with that keen passion. My brother works with them everyday.

First on Race Day!

My first car was a Mazda RX-7. It is still running, though oldest is driving it. Early on we put the baby seat in the passenger seat and it kept on going.

Driving is considered to be a pleasure.

This weekend calls for a car trip with the top down, imho. I love the M3 (and pATRICK...I know more specs about that car than my husband does...if your group of women includes female engineers, your bet is l o s t).

No Volvo stories yet???
I drive a REAL Volvo (A 1990--well before Ford bought Volvo and turned them to crap). The thing is a tank! I was rear-ended in January, not a bad accident, but definitely a firm smack. The car that hit me (a Chevy something or other) had major damage: smashed headlights, crumpled hood, dangling front bumper. My car: nothing! Not even a dent. It only has 129,000 miles on it. I predict "Esther" and I will still be cruising for many years to come.

Why MN is LESLIE a bad example but your oddball mechanic friend or whatever is somehow a good representation? I actually am in a good mood, you seem like the cranky one today.

I drive a REAL Volvo (A 1990--well before Ford bought Volvo and turned them to crap).

No kidding! They buy these great car companies and then turn the cars into a bin o parts car. As if no one would notice.

MN, my wife could care less abouty cars, my sister, my mom, my wife's three friend s whose cars look like a trash can and haven't been washed but once in 2007,my coworker whose eyes glaze over when we talk cars at work, let's see what is that 7 just I can think of now?

Londonmom - have you looked at the Highlander? They also have a hybrid version that seems pretty cool.

Historically, we've been a Saab family! I LOVE their cars! We currently have the Saab wagon and a '99 Mercedes wagon that was a hand me down from my mom. I love this wagon so very much! It is wider than the newer version so I can fit three in boosters across the back AND it has groovy jump seats (backward facing, old school) in the way back so I can take 5 kids at a time if I need to. It drives like a dream and I adore the heavy clunky sounds the door makes! I will drive this car until it dies! Don't diss the minivan too hard folks. I flirted with one recently! They sure are roomy and functional. I can see why people buy them. If Saab would make one, I'd buy it the next day! Dont' know why they haven't rolled out the hybrid minivans yet?

Cracked Heads Every Valve Rattles Oil Leaks Every Time

No kidding! They buy these great car companies and then turn the cars into a bin o parts car. As if no one would notice.

Posted by: pATRICK | September 28, 2007 12:12 PM

Seriously!! People buy European cars for a REASON. If I wanted a Ford POS, I'd just buy one to begin with and pay a lot less upfront (and for repairs). Too bad I'm only 24 years old--eventually I'll have to buy a post-1998 Volvo, since I have committed myself to a lifetime of Volvo ownership. SO sad.

I did not mean everyone was a moron. Just the ones who insluted my clothes. I was kidding Atlmom!!! (Maybe you are kidding too. Let me know.)

This is an equal opportunity blog. Totally socialist. If posters insult me (or my wardrobe) I am free to inslut them.

That was a typo but I think I invented a new verb: INSLUT.

Ford is selling Land Rover and Volvo as part of its reorganization strategy.

One of our top considerations for a car is if they have a free loaner service. My Infiniti does, the expedition does not. It is a dela breaker next time around.

Leslie,

I know that you have been pummeled a bit in the last few days--some of it quite unfair in my opinion. But to call your readers "morons" is disgusting. I KNOW that you owe all of us an apology.

pATRICK: yeah, the guy who sold me my acura SAID they had a loaner service, when they actually DID NOT and I liked the acura a little more than the infiniti, so I bought it.
The infiniti used that as a selling point, and I know it was true. So I wish I had gone with the infiniti - live and learn...

Definite HUGE selling point.

The mazda and VW dealer (same dealer) have loaner programs, and they're pretty good....

(Leslie just sent me this email. She is not able to post so she asked me to do it for her.)

I did not mean everyone was a moron. Just the ones who insluted my clothes. I was kidding Atlmom!!! (Maybe you are kidding too. Let me know.)

This is an equal opportunity blog. Totally socialist. If posters insult me (or my wardrobe) I am free to inslut them.

That was a typo but I think I invented a new verb: INSLUT.

(Leslie is not able to post due to technical difficulty, she asked me to post this for her.)

I did not mean everyone was a moron. Just the ones who insluted my clothes. I was kidding Atlmom!!! (Maybe you are kidding too. Let me know.)

This is an equal opportunity blog. Totally socialist. If posters insult me (or my wardrobe) I am free to inslut them.

That was a typo but I think I invented a new verb: INSLUT.

Posted by Leslie's husband on behalf of Leslie (who is having computer problems):

I did not mean everyone was a moron. Just the ones who insluted my clothes. I was kidding Atlmom!!! (Maybe you are kidding too. Let me know.)

This is an equal opportunity blog. Totally socialist. If posters insult me (or my wardrobe) I am free to inslut them.

That was a typo but I think I invented a new verb: INSLUT.

Awe Leslie, You had Fo4 smiling in his grave with your 09:52 post. Perhaps what God planted as weakness in his eyes, he replaced with strength in his voice.

So here's a little tidbit on Fo4 and his most fond car

Though fo4's first vehicle was a motorcycle which he rode through No Va traffic over 60,000 miles, the first car he owned was a blue 72 VW van.
it was 15 years old when he drove it home. Holes showed through the floorboards, there was no heat, and the rustbucket didn't even start with a key. Fo4 had to park it on a hill so he could let it roll and "pop-start" it. Looki