Kathy, my parents bought a couple of their cars from Enterprise. Never had a problem with either of them (aside from the usual wear and tear).

Smooth jazz helps pacify the squirrels in my head so I can get stuff done, though. It does have its uses.

ita, I'm sorry something that's supposed to make your life simpler and easier is making you more miserable at the moment, and I'd give a lot to be able to do something about it and make it better.

Kat, you are ironwoman, you really are. You're my hero.

Maria, every molecule of good thought is aimed in your direction. The ones that aren't aimed at ita and Kat--I have plenty.

Since the interjection conversation yesterday I've had YouTube up in another tab playing Schoolhouse Rock whenever I have a chance.

Kathy, how are you feeling today?

The Enterprise guy gave me the "You know, we sell our cars!" spiel on the way over to pick up the Focus, which I was glad to hear since rental companies was going to be one of my choices for program cars to buy.

I remember being advised against that on the theory that they only ever had the low grade gasoline and people drove them hard because they weren't theirs.

Which, okay, but I find it hard to believe that's really enough to counteract the fact that I'm sure they have very regular maintenance, and people are afraid to actually damage them. I wonder if milage might run high compared to other used cars.

Kathy, how are you feeling today?

A little stiff, my tongue is still a bit sore, and the bruise on my sternum is hurting but not yet visible (it'll be a doozy, though!). Otherwise, I'm fine. Everyone at the office is being great (my boss mentioned my accident to her boss, who then told her to call me back after their meeting and make sure that I didn't need to go to the doctor), and my boss is letting me go home at 2:30.

I just want to get some car research done today. I just got off the phone with the Enterprise sales guy who had gotten my info from the guy who rented me my car this morning. He was giving me the hard sell on a 2010 Civic that they have in stock: 8000 miles, LX (top of the line model, same as mine), and "only" $18,664, which is about $4000 less than a new one would be (and it is of the better design, since a 2012 model has the crappy redesign).

When I told him yet again that I wouldn't be buying until I knew for sure that my current car is totalled, he was all, "Well, you could buy it and then return it if your car isn't totalled!" but I think not. I refuse to buy until I have that check in hand. I'm not married to the idea of getting another Civic, in fact I'm not married to the idea of any car in particular, just a good-quality one for a decent price that meets my parameters. I'm keeping my mind open until I see that check.

Smooth jazz helps pacify the squirrels in my head so I can get stuff done, though. It does have its uses.

Smooth jazz seems to irritate the squirrels in my head until they shout "Kill! Kill! Kill!" like in Alice's Restaurant.

Only talk radio (non-right wing) calms the sqirrels

I wonder if milage might run high compared to other used cars.

I think that could definitely vary. I've always heard that a rental car would be more reliable just because they are regularly maintained.

One thing to keep in mind is that Enterprise is run on a franchise system (which is why they generally have a greater variety of makes and models), so it will really depend on that particular branch more than with other rental car companies.

Since cars are under discussion. I know someone considering replacing their 20 year old car, which they drive about 1200 miles a year. In spite of low mileage, they drive it a few times a week, just not far. So they need reliability. What they don't need is decent mileage. In fact they could live with gas mileage that really sucks even if gas goes up to $10 per gallon, as long as they can get a good safe cheap-to-insure reliable car at a low or moderate price. If they live with gas mileage that sucks is a bargain possible on good used cars. Also it can have some miles on it as long as it has 50,000 comparatively low maintenance miles remaining.

Sophia, I love you, and we have much in common. But it's a good, good thing we don't work in proximity. The squirrels and I would be chewing through the cage bars, subjected to talk radio for more than seconds. In fact, I withdrew my support from our local public radio station and wrote them a letter detailing why when they went all-talk, all the time.

Of course you work with your hands and can listen to words. I work with words, and I can't even have music with lyrics playing, or I get confused between the words I'm hearing and the words I'm trying to read or write.

Brains are nifty things. Confusing and scary, but nifty.

New from DC: We have sunshine!