I had just finished lap 71 when the thunder started. So one lap shy and no cool down 6 laps, but I was mostly done. Glad I decided to go early!
So my car exhibited electrical-short like behavior today in a downpour. Considering it leaks... but it recovered. (It was classic low battery-like start, and when I first started moving, the wipers were....slow. And the radio fritzed and dash lights blinked randomly, but as soon as I travelled some distance, it all went away.) Guess I better get serious about seeing if a refi would free up enough more of the budget to fit in a car payment without getting all stressy. Sigh. I don't want a new car payment. We'll see if it starts in the morning. As noted, it is raining again.
Now I'm eating asparagus and mushrooms.
I strongly recommend a Mazda 3. Comfy, great mileage, and endorsed by my DH, car dude.
That's what my dad actually has! It's a great car.
I enjoyed my V6 Jetta a ridiculous amount, enough that I would cheerfully tell people to look at a Passat if that's the body they like.
Except the mechanism to raise and lower the seat back was the most annoying ever.
I am going to keep washing this sock until its partner reappears, damnit.
You might want to compare long-term repair and maintenance costs of the Prius and Passat. I don't know which would be a better long term investment, but if you keep cars a long time, it can be an issue.
Toyota used to have a great reputation for durability and rarity of repairs, but I gather that's been somewhat tarnished in recent years.
My 2000 Toyota Echo has lasted thus far without not much more than regular maintenance (it did need a new flange in the mid-pipe part of the exhaust system, but on a 12-year-old [at the time] car, that's not bad). Although the "regular maintenance" can have a hefty price tag (radiator flush and fill, transmission service, stupid brakes).
But I still love it and it still runs great, and averages somewhere in the 30-33 mpg range.
The two worst types of drivers I encounter are Range Rover Drivers and Prius Drivers. My friends who drive Priuses claim that the reason they always cut people off is because there are horrific blindspots.
We have a a friend who has a diesel passat and she can drive from LA to Mammoth and back on a single tank.
That is good to know!
One good thing about the Costco program--it moves fast--I already got a call back from the VW people, so I may go see them tomorrow.
Right now though, I am going to go put a cup of beer in the back yard, so I can test the theory that slugs are what is eating the leaves of my lime tree.
