I got such a good deal because it was the Deathcar model... except that the problem with unintended acceleration all happened in the automatic trans cars, and mine was a standard. (Also, it was probably driver error/bad brake pedal ergonomics.)

My work-study job my sophomore year of college was at Ralph Nadar's Center for Auto Safety. My job the whole year was working on the Audi case.

Maybe it's a regional thing, but we had a problem with used Toyotas and Hondas back when we got our minivan. The prices on the used ones were pretty much the same prices as new ones, maybe a thousand or two less but not worth the extra mileage.

Yeah, I'd almost say if you have your heart set on a Honda or Toyota you might as well buy new because they depreciate so much less rapidly than other cars and it's hard to get a good deal on a used one.

The used prices on Hondas are also why we ended up with a Nissan for our last car purchase. We wanted a Honda, but the used prices were just too much. We had a high range (some financing) and low range (cash) looking for a car. The slightly used Hondas just didn't discount enough from a new Fit. The Toyotas were a closer call, but we ended up getting a Nissan with cash.

I've had mixed luck with buying used - great Cavalier, so-so Dodge Omni, horrible Citation that I named Christine for good reason. Since my standard is to drive whatever I buy until the wheels fall off, the resale value hasn't been a big consideration.

Gud, same thing in Seattle. We could probably sell our bought-new Civic for a few thousand over what we owe on it. Not that we plan to, but used models in our trimline were going for not much less than we paid new (we did get financed through our credit union and shopped around for a month, as we were not in a hurry, which meant we managed to get a good deal, but still, used cars should not be that close to new pricing).

I found one Honda with a great price, but then I test drove it. First of all, there was no documentation on repairs so a new timing belt and water pump right off the bat. The airbag light didn't go off, another repair right off the bat. One of the windows didn't work, a new window motor there. The blower motor was making odd noises on high speed, new blower motor. I drove over some speed bumps, okay probably needs new struts. Didn't even bother looking at the CV boot covers or anything else.

This is so great--Miami banker gives $60 million of his own to employees:

Lots of bosses say they value their employees. Some even mean it.

And then there's Leonard Abess Jr.

After selling a majority stake in Miami-based City National Bancshares last November, all he did was take $60 million of the proceeds -- $60 million out of his own pocket -- and hand it to his tellers, bookkeepers, clerks, everyone on the payroll. All 399 workers on the staff received bonuses, and he even tracked down 72 former employees so they could share in the windfall.

For longtime employees, the bonus -- based on years of service -- amounted to tens of thousands of dollars, and in some cases, more than $100,000.

FTR, I have friends who love their Fit -- the gas milage is apparently incredible, and I'm pretty sure they've done distance driving in it with two adults, one baby, and two greyhounds. It's not pretty, but it's doable.

I can say my MIL really likes her Honda Fit and another relative really likes her Toyota Yaris Hatchback.

I have friends who bought a Fit, a friend who bought a Yaris hatchback, and a friend who bought a Versa last year and they all love them.

I drove and was a passenger in a Yaris non-hatchback rental in Florida last month and hated it, ftr. But it didn't feel at all like my friend's does when I'm a passenger in her's.

Oh, there's also the Nissan Versa that's really cheap if you are willing to go pretty barebones on features. Don't know anyone who owns one though.

We have a Versa and we are quite happy about it. Very roomy back seat, hatchback. We got a floor model that is tricked out with several awesome features, so I smiled at your barebones comment. We have keyless ignition and entry, a MP3 input, and in car Bluetooth capability, which is great for handsfree cell phone talking. Cruise control, 5 CD player, A/C, floormats. The gas mileage is pretty good- usually averaging 32-35MPG

When we bought, we looked at new and used, and the used cars we looked at were at dealerships that made our skin crawl. The Nissan guy was very nice, low-key, and had a huge sale with great financing.