Much ~ma to you and your mom Aims.

Happy Birthday Suzi!

So I'm buying a car and wanted to consult the hivemind. Using U.S. News and World Report rankings as a guideline, I'm looking at the Chevrolet Malibu, Mazda Mazda6, Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Hyundai Sonata. One of these better just stand out and be awesome. The Camry was fine, but I feel like not getting The Car That Everyone Has. (I've arbitrarily nixed the Accord on the basis that it's basically a more expensive Camry.) I'm looking at midsize sedans since I plan to keep this car for a long time, and it'll be good to have a bigger car for my future dysfunctional family. Or, if you're my uncle, I'm looking at midsize sedans because they are inherently safer than small cars because of physics.

How much are you looking to spend? If you are looking at these new might I suggest you go take a look at a 2005 or 2006 Mercedes C230. They can be had for less than $20,000 with very low miles and will be a much safer and better built car than almost any of these. If you want the new car dealer experience only better, go pick up one at CarMax.

Ok, so I know I'm all lurky, and I jumped the line here, but I was asked about gathering a listing of film industry trade mags, and my mind immediately went to Buffistas. I couldn't help myself. So, does anyone have any suggestions beyond Variety and Hollywood Reporter? They're not looking for popular entertainment magazines or academic criticism types.

Thank you in advance, oh, wonderful hivemind!

I do have to add that although I'm mostly just lurky now, and often not even that, I do check Press and Beep Me, and although I don't type my squees and ~mas, I have them and send them in my heart, always. You guys are the best, and love when life treats you well, and shake my tiny fist in the air when it doesn't.

And because I just thought this should be a separate post, you're in my heart Aims. May your mother's symptoms turn out to be a panic attack, or the like, which is no fun, but is a damn bit better than a heart attack. Hugs and ~ma.

And happy birthday, Suzi! You deserve a good day, so you might as well have it be this one. After all, you made it through another year, and grew in hard but wonderful ways. Whoot!

Mom ~ma, Aims.

Happiest of Birthdays, Suzi!

PC, rather than just relying on U.S. News and Buffista hivemind, I'd get a copy of Consumer reports. Buy the latest annual car guide, then go to the library and look up the magazine updates. This does not mean it should be deciding. (And there are statistical flaws in CR methods, but still their reliability data is generally right on. They really are the best guide to how likely your car is to break down. (Not perfect, those statistical flaws, plus your car can be tghe exception, but still the best out there.)

libkitty, we get a magazine (more like a newsletter) here at the theatre called "Previews" that is published by the National Association of Theatre Owners. Is that the sort of thing you had in mind?

If you are looking at these new might I suggest you go take a look at a 2005 or 2006 Mercedes C230. They can be had for less than $20,000 with very low miles and will be a much safer and better built car than almost any of these.

I appreciate the advice, but if I open my mind to more possibilities at this juncture, I will go even crazier. Also, the nearest CarMax is seventy miles away. Heh. (I did check the two CarMaxes within a reasonable distance, and they did have some decent 2008 vehicles with under 10K miles on them, but I figure I can get closer to what I want if I buy new. The Mercedes C230s all have about 40K miles. If I'm going to pay $20K, I should get something new, I think.)

So much ~ma to Aims' mom. Hang in there, honey.

Happy Birthday, Suzi! I hope you're having such a fabulous day!

I have had a day. You know it's a day when missing the fire at the school you work at was the good part of the day.

I'd get a copy of Consumer reports. Buy the latest annual car guide, then go to the library and look up the magazine updates. This does not mean it should be deciding. (And there are statistical flaws in CR methods, but still their reliability data is generally right on. They really are the best guide to how likely your car is to break down. (Not perfect, those statistical flaws, plus your car can be tghe exception, but still the best out there.)

Ooh, good idea, I forgot about CR. According to the latest reliability report, Ford is really good now, and the Chevy Malibu is better than average, which is good to hear because that's a new car whose reliability I was a little worried about since it hadn't been tested much. (The Malibu and Fusion are also both on the "Best vehicles for $25,000 or less" list. As are the Sonata, Altima, and Camry. Curiously, the Mazda6 does not feature. Hm. The Malibu is also the highest-scoring family sedan [at its highest trim, though]. Geez, I am excited to try this car out now. It's like the popular kid at the party.)