So. I’ve been talking about buying a new car since…. Nearly two years ago, and really thought I would buy one last summer. I ended up not getting one before this winter because I figured that my car (my lovely 1998 Ford Escort that was my Daddy’s but I bought it when I started going to school) could make it through another winter. Well it has, though not completely un-harmed because I was in an accident and my bumper was cracked a little (though I got a nice chunk of change for it and you can hardly tell). But… I think the odds of it making it through next winter without some major issues are not very good.
Now I’m talking and thinking about buying a car, again. I’ve been seduced by all the pretty cars and considered getting a Dodge Neon, Mazda Miata (someday, just not while I live in the mid-west, but still….someday), I love the look of the Pontiac Sunfire… But after some research and lots of surfing I narrowed my sites on 3 cars. Here are the contenders (in no particular order). For the sake of this post I’ll be comparing the 2005 models of all these cars though I’m open to models +/- a couple of years in either direction.
HONDA – Civic (hatchback)
13.2 gallon fuel tank
four wheel ABS
spacesaver steel rim internal spare
*Safety*
Frontal Impact – 5-stars for both driver and passengerSide Impact – 3-stars for front occupant, 4-stars for rear occupant
Rollover Resistance Rating – 4-stars
FORD – Focus (hatchback)
14 gallon fuel tank
Two disc brakes including two ventilated discs
spacesaver steel rim internal spare
*Safety*
Frontal Impact – 4-stars for both driver and passengerSide Impact – 3-stars for front occupant, 4-stars for rear occupant
Rollover Resistance Rating – 4-stars
VOLKSWAGON – Beetle (cute-awwww)
14.5 gallon fuel tank
four wheel ABS
full size steel rim internal spare
*Safety*
Frontal Impact – 4-stars for both driver and passengerSide Impact – 5-stars for front occupant, 3-stars for rear occupant
Rollover Resistance Rating – 4-stars
I will fully admit that my favorite car by far is the Beetle. I will also admit that the main reason is because it’s cute. But, the full size spare is nice as well… The only thing I’m really worried about is the cost of repairs since it is a VW they’re bound to be expensive (which wouldn’t be such a problem with either of the other cars). Most of the other things to take into consideration are pretty close between all three cars… They all have decent fuel economy and are safe cars (which is why they are my top 3 picks). The Ford Focus doesn’t have the ABS, but neither does my current car and I’ve been driving 6 years without it.
When it comes down to it, the car I get out of these three will probably be the one that I can find at the lowest price, with the least amount of milage and in a color I like (blue, red, yellow, green or orange are the top picks). I like the look of all these cars, and yes, that is the first thing I think about (sorry Dad).
I’ll probably start looking seriously at the end of March, once the worst of the snow is pretty much behind us and it won’t be so terrible to go out in the elements. I’m also considering getting a manual (oooh scary) since I’ve always wanted to learn how to drive one, but then I will probably need to take an extra day off of work so that I can have a long weekend to re-learn how to drive…
I’ll keep you posted. 
So friday all the apple stores were mad houses. Lines all day long. Not only did stores sell out of their original iPhone stock, but they had to cut off lines just so they could close.
Needless to say my original plan of stopping after work didn’t seem like a good idea by about 10:00 in the morning. Luckly Chris was standing in line for his, and he bought mine. YAY!
I’m so glad he did because I stopped by the apple store on my way home from work, and well… The wait was still at least two hours (at 5:00!).
I ended up getting the white iPhone, isn’t it beautiful?
White 16G iPhone 3G
I spent a good amount of Friday and Saturday just playing with it and downloading games (all free so far) and today will probably be more of the same.
Screen Shot of my iPhone apps
A full review of what I’ve done so far is sure to follow… But for now… I would like to get back to my Phone and it’s addicting games.
Just had to post this since I’m such a nerd. Apple announced it’s new iPhone 3G today. The Slogan? “Twice as fast, half the price”. Sweet…
So where can I get one???
It comes out when????
July 11th!
AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TO FAR AWAY!
Sorry…Anyway… There is plenty of talk going on about the iPhone 3G by people who are way more knowledgeable about this stuff than me so if your interested, read more at the following places:
Apple.com Gizmodo.com iLounge.com. Engadget.com
Needless to say, July 11th I will be the proud owner of a BRAND NEW iPhone 3G… Whether I choose Black or White remains to be seen.
I’ll let you know when I know.
