It's getting close to time for me to think about replacing my old Ford van. After 13 years and 250,000 miles it doesn't owe me anything, and I've got a lot of affection for it, but it is probably time to look at something new.
It would be particularly nice to work with a rocket guy. Any car salesmen in the house?
I've got a few preferences. First is comfort. With 300 pounds of manly flab distributed on a 6 foot 5 inch frame, and enough stainless and titanium in my skeleton to set off airport metal detectors, I need a car engineered for me. Compact cars are torture devices. I don't expect to get all the space I have in the custom-conversion Econoline, but I can't be rubbing my kneecaps off on the steering wheel either. The first thing I will do with any prospective car is try it on for size.
It won't come as a surprise that I would love to drive a hybrid. That pretty much narrows the field to the Ford Escape 'brid, since I can't afford a Lexus or similar snoot-mobile. I have tried on the Escape and it fits. I like the power train. I'm pretty interested in one. Around the DC area they go for $26-28K new. That's a little rich for my blood, frankly. I'd drive a considerable distance for a chance to bargain with a fellow rocket person.
Any ideas?