Old Man Car Shopping

The SacTownGuy is obsessed with cars the last few months. The problem is the current bookmarked web pages run the gambit from Renlist.com (Porsche enthusiasts) to Prius Hybrid pricing on Edmunds. Would be easier if I knew what was the best to get. Of course the Porsche is the best because a 911 is a 911. However, that's a boatload of money that the SacTownGuy does not have right now. Not a very smart purchase and may lead to Kitty Kat disowning me. Thus the boring and practical car is the likely choice. However, which boring and practical car to buy?

When I look at this picture of the Honda Accord I think to myself that is a lot of car for $25k. It's the 4 cylinder Ex-L Accord. The "L" means leather and for $25k you get everything but navi. I don't care about navi so no big deal to me. The Edmunds forums, prices paid page, clearly shows $23k to $24k is EASILY a doable purchase price. Plus TTL you are at $26k. PLUS, Honda is offering .9% financing for 3 years. WOW! So here's a picture that makes me think YES:


That's a nice car for $25k, no?

Then I saw in the paper today a Toyota Corolla on a lease for $88 a month. DAMN! Figure it's a C note a month including tax! WOW. Reminds me of that apartment I had in Fair Oaks back in '95... $505 a month for a two bedroom and the $5 was for unlimited video rentals at their little store. Plus, I had a roommate! Paying my whopping $252.50 was pretty nice! I pay that on the water bill, it seems, some months!

Anyway, can't go for the Corolla obviously. However, what about the Accord? Well, I was ready to buy it after test driving the black on black one the other day at the RoseTown automall. Mannie, was the sales guy, and he was a real nice guy. I would like to buy from him but I don't think AutoNation will want to sell at the price I will want to buy. However, we shall see.... Ok, but then I saw this article at LATimes.com and now I am not so sure. I will give you the beginning and the link to the rest if you are interested.

What should I do?

By Dan Neil
LATimes.com
September 5, 2007

I was sitting at a red light when they rolled up beside me, the guy riding his Suzuki Do-Me 8000 with his hot female companion on the back, her thongage pouring out of her low-rise jeans. Her blond hair fell from beneath the helmet and fluffed weightlessly in the hot breeze. Her skintight ballistic-armor motorcycle jacket was unzipped down to her navel. It's a good look, I guess, if you go in for that sort of thing.

As I sat there in the Amana-white 2008 Honda Accord EX-L sedan, she looked over at me. I knew what she was thinking. I knew she wanted me.

And why wouldn't she? The Honda Accord ska-reams confirmed heterosexual, and not in a Larry Craig way, either. This car ought to be issued with a complimentary pair of relaxed-fit dad jeans. Every male owner should get a free BlackBerry, which is like monogamy's ankle bracelet. To own this car is to be possessed with an inexplicable urge to trim hedges. While other cars suggest the owner is still working out issues -- experimenting, if you will -- the Accord sedan says, "Hey, I'm past all that. I'm a smoldering volcano of straight suburban love, and I accept it."

After reading that I really don't know what to buy!?



peace out.