Cats and TV and Cars

[cabenson]

Smokey watches TV, and I mean watches TV. I was reading the paper and had the TV on as background noise- Mens Double Luge. I looked up to see Smokey standing in front of the TV, his little head moving back and forth as they showed the sled hitting each curve. When it was over, he looked at me as if to say, "Dude! Did you see that wipeout on teh ice? No gold for those poor bastards." I have got to catch him watching TV on film.


And here is a question for all of you since I forgot my ?otw last week:

Why is that just as you are about to make your last car payment, the brakes need to be replaced? I so don't want to put money into this car if I'm trading it in, but yeah, they need fixed and soon- the Bush pile-up on the way home made that perfectly clear. And I really want to enjoy some time without a car payment, but I know it will be better for my back to get a car that sits higher and has an automatic transmission. I'm trying to research smaller SUV's but my overwhelming sense of ecological/economical guilt is clouding my judgment. So another question (or two):

1.What kind of car do you drive, or would drive if you drove everyday?

2.If you could buy any vehicle right now, not necessarily new, what would you pick and why?

3.What cars/SUVs/trucks would you avoid at all costs, and why?


Okay, off to make dinner: salad and home-made pizza, YUM!

Comments

[bluepoet.livejournal.com]

Two cents from the blind girl with no driver's license:
I like VW Beetles. They're supercute!
Yeah, that's all I got. Shutup. I know nothing about cars, dude. I take the fucking bus.

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

I have always loved Bugs. And I would love to get one, but I need to find something that isn't so low to the ground- that's one of the two problems with my current SexyChevy. Sits too low and is a five-speed.

And if I didn't work in BFE, I'd take the bus every day. I actually hate driving around Columbus.

[bluepoet.livejournal.com]

I know a lot of people who hate driving, which makes it okay with me that I take public transit.
Yeah, the bug isn't so practical for you. alas. No one in my family has had a new car since I was a kid...I wouldn't even know where to start!

[amazonqueenkate.livejournal.com]

1.) I drive a 2000 Izuzu Rodeo. It's a midsize SUV.

2.) I would definitely buy a Hybrid of some sort. I love my Rodeo, I really do, but the thing is a gas guzzler and definitely has some deep issues; got it used, and it keeps having weird little mechanical quirks that never get completely fixed. (Like my left turn signal. It's shorted out, and has been for months, but every time I take it to get fixed, they claim it's fine.) So, yes. I'd want a hybrid.

3.) Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the SUV. When we were picking out a car (my parents and I), I wanted something fuel-efficent and useful, and not an SUV. But we're Midwesterners and I live in podunk ville, and they (and I, to a lesser extent) were afraid that I would end up getting plowed in. So we went with my good ol' Izuzu. It's lasted well, but honestly, I want something smaller and zippier. Maybe that's just me.

[icarus-abides.livejournal.com]

1) Honda Civic. My first car was a Civic too until I totalled it, I love em. Going to drive it into the ground.

2) If I could pick any vehicle... well, I'm such a Farmy McFarmgirl that of course I'd go for a pickup. With an extended cab. And a trailer hitch package. In midnight blue. Mmm. It's unhealthy for me to drool after an automobile this much. Or maybe an SUV like a Tahoe or a Suburban (aka Orgasm on Wheels)

3) I'd steer clear of Kias, Hyndais (how the hell do you spell that??), Saturns... there are a couple more but I can't remember. If you want a car you can drive into the ground I'd definitely have to recommend a Honda or a Ford :)

[softeranswer.livejournal.com]

1.What kind of car do you drive, or would drive if you drove everyday?
i do drive everyday and have a sum total commute of 80 minutes (if i'm lucky) everyday. i drive a 2005 civic, 2-door. sometimes i really do wish for an svu if only to see further ahead of traffic.

2.If you could buy any vehicle right now, not necessarily new, what would you pick and why?
bmw 325. hook up for the ipod and not as big as the 700series.

3.What cars/SUVs/trucks would you avoid at all costs, and why?
hyndai's seem pretty unreliable. then there's that old saying, "friends don't let friends drive fords." never having driven one, i'm not so sure if i stand behind that. if you're interested in SVUs, i know Ford now makes a hybrid (with Toyota parts) and the Mazda SVU always looked super cute to me.

[jandyle.livejournal.com]

I drive a Mazda 626 and I love it. I've had two of them. My first was a 1994 stick shift, and the friend I sold it to just called me last week to say it was over 200,000 miles now and still kicking. Those fuckers last forever and have very little trouble. My current car is a 2000 model. Love it, too. But they might be low sitting for you. My Mom drives a 2004 Mazda Tribute and she LOVES it, and has had no problems with it at all since she got it.

[jandyle.livejournal.com]

Oh! And I forgot to say that before the Tribute she had a Subaru Forester and had nothing but trouble with the fucker. That thing was always breaking down in some way or other. I think it was a 1999.

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Mrs. CB has a 1999 Subaru Imprezia and we've had trouble with it for a couple years now-wheel bearings and a major electrical problem. I know another flister with a 1999 Subie that has really held up, so I'm thinking it was the Forrester and Outbacks that sucked ass that year.

I am looking at Ford Escape, Chevy Equinox (I really want!!) Mazda Murano and maximas, and the newer Forresters. With the Chevy Cavalier, it was so damned easy...I knew exactly what I wanted.

[jandyle.livejournal.com]

My first car was a Chevy Cavalier! 1992. W00t!

I vote Mazda. We've had several in my family and never had problems with any of them (thus we keep buying them). My current is up near 100,000 miles, and the old one is twice that and still running fine. Amazing vehicles. Love them.

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

1986 Cavalier (manual), 1992 Cavalier (auto), and my current, 2001 Cavalier Sexy 2-door Coupe with spoiler and moonroof (and only 36,000 miles-pays to have multiple back surgeries ;)

[jandyle.livejournal.com]

Heh. My Cavalier was a 1992 auto. Kind of a darker red color. The only manual I had was the 1994 mazda. I do miss it sometimes, but just not when I'm in rush hour traffic.

[jadoreguy.livejournal.com]

1) No car right now, but I used to own a 1996 VW Golf. I do have access to tudorlady's 1998 VW Golf, though.

2) A classic VW Bug. I've wanted one since high school.

3) I'd stay away from all domestic-made cars. They are built el crapo grande.

[noir-moll.livejournal.com]

1.What kind of car do you drive, or would drive if you drove everyday?
I drive a '98 Honda CRV and I fucking love it. I bought it used with low miles, trading in a '95 Cavalier. The Cavalier was my first car and it was a good car, but I won't even consider buying a car again. My CRV has never had any mechanical problems; only been in the shop for oil changes and tune ups. It's not very big, but it'll hold a lot of stuff, especially with the back seats down (the newer models have more room, IIRC). It's got good head and leg room. It drives beautifully and gets good gas mileage. Everyone that I've known who has owned one has had the same reliable experience as me. It's a damn good vehicle.

2.If you could buy any vehicle right now, not necessarily new, what would you pick and why?

I'd get another CRV, no question.

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Max watched hockey today, and then poked behind the TV to see if that's where the bug was. (Hey, it works that way with windows, right?)

Brakes typically last 3-5 years of normal use, which just coincidentally is around the length of most car payments.

We own a 2004 Camry (that's it in my icon) and a 1993 Camry. If I could pick my dream car, it'd be either the 2004 we have, or the upcoming 2007 hybrid Camry. Or the Prius, but really, I like the roominess of the Camry.

Fords and GM-brands are both known for weird recalls and generally poor reliability (Ford's having a problem with SUVs that inexplicably burst into flames, again). I'd also avoid Korean.

Toyota and Honda are both legendary for being insanely reliable and lasting for upwards of 200K miles with basic maintenance (average vehicle lifespan is 100K, so this is noteworthy).
Our 1993 has 190K miles and still runs like a top; it hasn't really required any repairs that weren't the driver's (or the roads') fault. And, to put in the requisite plug, it has a LOT of both driver and passenger room, a ridiculous variety of adjustable seat/steering wheel features and a ton of cargo space (including fold-down rear seats), which I think would make it surprisingly comfortable as a sedan for someone with back and mobility problems.

[hawtblondechick.livejournal.com]

1.What kind of car do you drive, or would drive if you drove everyday?
I have a gov't vehicle that I drive during the day (including the 74 miles total to and from work) and it's a Buick Regal. My personal car is a 1996 Honda Civic that has 140,000 miles on it. It is my first car and I am so attached to it, it's disgusting.

2.If you could buy any vehicle right now, not necessarily new, what would you pick and why?
The new Acura TL. OMG so pretteh. I'd like a Yukon Denali too, for the room and to be able to see around and over traffic.

3.What cars/SUVs/trucks would you avoid at all costs, and why?
Hyundais and Kias have got to be the cheapest pieces of doo doo evah. You couldn't pay me to drive one of those. They also rank the lowest in safety. Probably because they're made of paper mache or something like that. Sorry, no offense to anyone who has one.

[eclecticfan.livejournal.com]

hmmmm, I tend to go for fuel economy and minimal upkeep costs (combined with reasonable purchase price)

I have own one new car - a 1990 honda civic - drove it until 1999 and 175,000 miles - developed a problem that they couldn't diagnose without $$$$ so I donated it - when it was new, it got 40 mpg highway....

I am on my 2nd hyundai - first one was a used accent - needed wheels as the car I was driving got totaled - bought it for what the insurance paid me for my lost car - little 2 door (hated that part) but it had about 55,000 and over the next 4.5 years I put on another 110,000 - no complaints (since I got it for under $3,000)

I currently drive a 2002 elantra; 4 door - bought it used with 50,000 - got a great deal from a co-worker's dealer brother so I got it for about $3,500 under retail. gets decent gas mileage but nothing spectacular.

I am so not the car whore - do not want to have a car payment close to my mortgage - but might like a small suv if I end up in a state that gets snow...

if curb height is an issue, huyndais probably aren't a good bet - they are kinda low (but higher than my old civic)

[stephbrandes.livejournal.com]

1. I drive a 2005 dodge caravan, (quit laughing , I'm a mom)

2. I want a Cadillac Escalade in the worst way. They are fucking sexy, but are beyond my means of course. Plus i would never want my kids in them because the start of a car engine stimulates their bowels.

3. I hate Fords. Will never buy one again. I've had nothing but trouble with every Ford I''ve owned.

[lonejaguar.livejournal.com]

Well I don't drive, but I've surely ridden in a lot of cars! And I dunno if H'll see this since she's been buried in journals lately, so I'mma gonna do my best for her ;)

H has had a Subaru her entire life and when you live in Anchorage (where just about everyone has one), you almost need one. H had a 1990 scoobie for a long time until 1999 when she bought her current Legacy. We've had absolutely no issues with it whatsoever and have never had to replace anything on it. It's an absolute godsend in the winter time when everyone has all these issues with getting around in the snow; we have none.

It also has an excellent stock stereo ;)

So I guess it all depends on how you take care of the car, whoever's driving it and the luck of the draw, I guess. Her car looks brand new and she gets compliments on it constantly.

The rest of my family have had Hondas (including mom, sister, brother, aunt and cousin) and they've all been great.

If I (had a license and) were buying a car right now, I'd probably go with a Subaru, Honda or Volkswagon just because of the overwhelming good that I've heard from almost everyone I know that owns them. I would never buy a truck or SUV just because I'd never need them - I'm not a contractor, I don't need to tow things, I don't have a snow clearing business, I don't go off roading and I'm not involved in a sport that would need a vehicle to carry large things like... I dunno a surfboard or canoe or something.

I personally wouldn't go with an automatic (and I'm lucky not to have an injury that would require me to) just because in all the auto's I've ridden in, they really don't have the get up and go that standard's have. Standards also tend to have a longer life and they cost less! I'd stick with something Japanese or European because I've always enjoyed the ride more than in a North American car.

Man, I have a lot to say for someone who can't drive. Hahahahah!

you rock Cabenson:)

[(Anonymous)]

hey My name is Jess
I really like your page you are really funny and I am sorry that you didn't feel well on valentines day! I was sick too:( You are pretty cool Thanks for making my day:) Oh an 'The Butch and The Blonde' yeah you should get an award for that!!!! You rock!

[landofshadows82.livejournal.com]

Um...Can I flist you?

[cabenson.livejournal.com]

Absolutely!

[landofshadows82.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :-)

[jessthebester.livejournal.com]

1.What kind of car do you drive, or would drive if you drove everyday?
2006 Honda Accord

2.If you could buy any vehicle right now, not necessarily new, what would you pick and why?
Jaguar S-Type. Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaast!!! Haaaaaawtttt!!! (Just like I like my women)

3.What cars/SUVs/trucks would you avoid at all costs, and why?
Any truck, because I'm too short to see over the steering wheel