Aaaarrrrggggh!
Ever have those days at work where you just want to say "to heck with it all" and give up? And, knowing where we ultimately end up, realizing that everything here really doesn't matter so why bother. But then coming full circle and realizing it would be really dumb because even though our time here is short, we're still here. And we still have to survive. And, in my case, provide for 3 others. Funny how as I get older (dare I say more mature) I recognize that, in the Divine scheme of things, people and relationships will be more valuable than making sure I have a comfortable retirement. Don't get me wrong, I believe it's wise to save and prepare for not being able to work or not wanting to work all the time, but really all I need is enough to pay the bills and maybe have some left over. That thought is refreshing.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
I'm thinking about getting one of these...
It's called a Smart car (www.usa.smart.com), built by DaimlerChrysler. They've been selling these in Europe since 1998 and have sold about 770,000. The main structure is very crash worthy, and the car itself is quite comfortable. They're doing a tour of the US to promote the launch in the first quarter of 2008, and Michelle and I went to see them at the Dart Rail station on Mockingbird and 75 Saturday.
Now, for all you nay-saying, SUV-because-they're-"safer", worry wart types these are very safe cars. Now, I have no illusion that if I got hit by a semi or a Suburban head-on at 50 mph that my wife will get a big payout and perhaps an opportunity to upgrade husbands, but...considering I commuted to work on a motorcycle for over a year 3-4 days a week, I'd say the safety concern is less than previous.
Also, 40-50 mpg for $13,000 is pretty darn good. To get that kind of city economy, I'd need a VW Jetta Diesel ($26,000 entry fee), or a Hybrid ($22,000 entry fee). I'm not sold on hybrid technology. I have a whole 'nother rant on that. Namely that they're building cars consumers don't want. You can't force a Tahoe driver into a Prius. So instead of focusing on small cars, focus on improving the economy of the vehicles people buy. A passenger diesel is an immediate 20% economy difference and is proven technology. Off my soapbox.
Plus, I got a thing for quirky different cars. I like minivans and hatchbacks and wagons and such. I'm not a Euro wannabe hippie treehugger, to be clear. But I am a tightfisted, penny penching, stingy, money-Nazi that wants to spend as little per month on a necessity and this is a great way to do it. No, I'm not riding a bicycle 16 miles one way to work, either. Also, this thing is 8.8 feet long. Parking is a breeze and it would take up very little space in my garage, leaving more room for all the other accoutrement's that take up space in a garage. It's only $99 to reserve one. I'm still kicking the idea around. As a pure commuter, it would be fantastic.
For the 3 people that read our blog, thoughts?
It's called a Smart car (www.usa.smart.com), built by DaimlerChrysler. They've been selling these in Europe since 1998 and have sold about 770,000. The main structure is very crash worthy, and the car itself is quite comfortable. They're doing a tour of the US to promote the launch in the first quarter of 2008, and Michelle and I went to see them at the Dart Rail station on Mockingbird and 75 Saturday.Now, for all you nay-saying, SUV-because-they're-"safer", worry wart types these are very safe cars. Now, I have no illusion that if I got hit by a semi or a Suburban head-on at 50 mph that my wife will get a big payout and perhaps an opportunity to upgrade husbands, but...considering I commuted to work on a motorcycle for over a year 3-4 days a week, I'd say the safety concern is less than previous.
Also, 40-50 mpg for $13,000 is pretty darn good. To get that kind of city economy, I'd need a VW Jetta Diesel ($26,000 entry fee), or a Hybrid ($22,000 entry fee). I'm not sold on hybrid technology. I have a whole 'nother rant on that. Namely that they're building cars consumers don't want. You can't force a Tahoe driver into a Prius. So instead of focusing on small cars, focus on improving the economy of the vehicles people buy. A passenger diesel is an immediate 20% economy difference and is proven technology. Off my soapbox.
Plus, I got a thing for quirky different cars. I like minivans and hatchbacks and wagons and such. I'm not a Euro wannabe hippie treehugger, to be clear. But I am a tightfisted, penny penching, stingy, money-Nazi that wants to spend as little per month on a necessity and this is a great way to do it. No, I'm not riding a bicycle 16 miles one way to work, either. Also, this thing is 8.8 feet long. Parking is a breeze and it would take up very little space in my garage, leaving more room for all the other accoutrement's that take up space in a garage. It's only $99 to reserve one. I'm still kicking the idea around. As a pure commuter, it would be fantastic.
For the 3 people that read our blog, thoughts?
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