Car Shopping

This old red Chevy looks just like my very first car - only mine was blue. What a thrill it was to actually have my own wheels way back then. That was in 1968. I was out of high school and working in downtown Chicago - the Loop. Hard to believe that was 42 years ago. The time goes so fast. There have been a lot of cars since then too.

Well, I'm looking for a car again. Like the first one, this will probably be a used car. After having a Dodge mini-van, I really would like something that has a little height to it. I like being higher than the average sedan. My husand and I looked at Honda CRVs, Jeep Grand Cherokees, and Honda Elements. I really like the Element, but my husband didn't. The CRV is pretty nice too - less roomy but practical. I'm not sure why he didn't like the Element - he didn't think it had enough power, and it's a bit more expensive than a CRV. I like the fact that it has plenty of room for hauling "stuff."

My husband is also thinking of GM cars, like Chevy Malibos and Impalas. He's always been an American-made car person, but Hondas are really good. He sold them for a while, so he knows what they're like. He's also sold Jeeps, and knows them. In his opionion they are so-so. They don't get the gas mileage the Hondas do.

From what I understand, if you want good gas mileage, the Toyota Prius is the way to go. One of my girlfriends has one, and every time I ride in it, I'm impressed. I love the quietness and comfortable ride, and the fact that it gets 40 to 50 miles on a gallon of gas is just what I need with gas prices so high. I think I may try one just to see how it handles.

I got frustrated tonight, because for every car I like, my husband has a reason not to want it. This is supposed to be my car. I want it to be what I want. My two picks right now are the Element and the Prius, and doggone it, I'm got to get I really like!