Pump Shock

So there I was. Pumping gas into my little Urabus Wagon yesterday and it hit me: though it's "paid-for," my compact car gets no more than perhaps 23 or 24 mpg. I can use AWD because I must negotiate snow and heavy rain in the winter and I find myself conflicted; I'm getting the "new car" bug. But, on the other hand, I don't want to take out a loan for gas.

The conflict goes something like this: I've historically purchased smaller cars, well, because I've never had the money or inclination for large cars. Once I purchased a 1997 Ford F-150 pickup, but it turned out to be a total turd. Everything, electrically, that could have gone wrong went wrong. From my friends' experience, I just happened to buy the Black Marble. That's the largest vehicle I've ever purchased.

The most luxuriant vehicle I ever purchased was a new 1987 Pontiac Grand Am, which was optioned out completely. Of course, I purchased the car about 35 seconds before my ex-wife decided she wanted that appellation. Goodbye Grand Am.

In this order, I've had the following cars:

- 1966 Ford Fairlane 4 door, white (the GrungeMobile -- remember your first car?)
- 1974 Subaru GL, 2-door, orange (Sammy the Subaru!)
- 1979 VW Rabbit, 2-door, cream (vinyl seats: slippery!)
- 1978 Ford Granada ESS, 4-door, my first leather seats, 289 CID wimpy V8
- 1980 Ford Courier pickup, white (total dog!)
- 1982 Toyota Tercel wagon, 4-door, white (really enjoyed this one)
- 1980 Yamaha XS-11 motorcycle, maroon (went really fast in a straight line)

Then, of course, the "ex-wife" traded my car in for:

- 1985 Toyota MR-2, 2-door, red (led to my divorce, amongst other things)

and then I purchased a:

- 1985 Chevy Sprint, 2-door, blue (I had to buy the optional right side mirror!)
- 1982 BMW R100RT motorcycle, silver-blue, full bags - what a great bike!
- 1987 Pontiac Grand Am (my favorite car to this point)

Then here's my 1988 divorce!

- 1985 Toyota SR5 long bed pickup, 4X4, blue, with matching shell
- 1989 Geo Metro, 2-door, blue
- 1984 Honda Magna motorcycle, black (monster engine, but overheated too easily)
- 1997 Ford F-150 pickup, green (total dog)
- 1998 Suzuki DR650 thumper (damn near killed myself; sold it)
- 1999 Chevy Metro, 2-door, green (oddly enough, one of my favorite cars)
- 1999 Chevy Tracker, 2-door, same color green
- 2003 Subaru Outback Sport, 4-door, AWD, white

And there you have it. My compendium of vehicles.

The sad thing is that now, at "over 50" shall we say, I am getting the "new car" itch -- but for something with automatic and nice seats and cushiony and more upscale. I don't want an SUV or a pickup truck. I want something I don't have to shift, sings to me nicely, has great heat and air, and handles potholes with aplomb. I don't want a dinky car.

But, of course, theres the rub.

Check out gas prices. Now that I can "afford" a nicer car, do I want to purchase something somewhat "opulent" that, comparitively speaking, sucks gas like there's no tomorrow?

Perhaps I should throw this into the equation: I live 75 miles from work. One way. At my previous assignment, I lived 89 miles from work. One way.

I'm now about 5 to 8 years from retirement. Depending on how bad Management pisses me off.

Whaddaya think? Should I go for the EconoBox (like a Civic, an xB, Cooper S, Corolla, etc), or should I check out larger automatic models with decent mileage like the Impala, Sonata, Lucerne -- or do you have any other suggestions?

I want an automatic. I want a slightly larger car. I want the best gas mileage I can get -- all it has to do is acquire over 24 mpg. I want it optioned-out. I don't want to shift nothin'.

Any thoughts?

BZ

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P.S.

Sorry about the infrequent posts. I'm still wrestling with various personal and familial issues. I'm sure you've all Been There and Done That.

BZ