Those who have spent any amount of my time in the car know that I am addicted to NPR. I absolutely adore it. I'm a little worried that I won't be able to get NPR in Gold Beach this summer. I'll live (after all, I did in Europe), but I'll have to archive up some This American Life episodes.
One of my favorite NPR shows is Car Talk. The hosts are Click and Clack, the Tappit brothers (otherwise known as Tom and Ray). They're brothers that know a whole ton about cars. I like to catch their show on Saturday mornings when I can, and I spent quite a bit of time listening to it during my formative years. They do give car advice, but it's not boring or gear-heady, and I find that I learn a lot from them about cars.
Now, here comes a recent dilemma I've been having. I need to buy a car sometime in the next month or so. I'm not horrifically picky about cars, but I do have a few things I want. I'd like a hatchback (more cargo room) or a small wagon. I want good gas mileage (30 mpg+). I want a cassette deck (luddite). I'd prefer a 4 door with working cigarette lighters (ipod) and cruise control (but you can buy that and add it in). I'll drive a manual or an automatic.
Other than that, I have no clue. However, my roommate and Car Talk have come to my rescue. I was talking with (okay, whining to) Laura today, and we were discussing car options. I've got a few thoughts, but I'm still not sold on anything. All of a sudden, she says "Why don't you check out the Car Talk website? They've always got good advice."
Criminy! One of my favorite radio shows has a web site? Why did I never know this? More importantly, why didn't I even think of it?
Now, I've got loads of information. I've been reading all freakin' night long (no immediate homework to do . . . ). I've got more options than I did before. Here's my current list of cars I want to look at:
Toyota
- Corolla
- Echo
- Matrix
Honda
- Civic hatchback
Hyundai
- Elantra GT
yup, that's right, a hyundai. It looks pretty, it's a hatchback, and it appears to have tons of cargo review. If you click on the link above, you go to Car Talk's test drive of the car. They're pretty favorable. I definitely want to test drive it.
I'm still open to suggestions. No Fords, please (have never liked them any time I've driven one, and I've driven plenty since my school's MV fleet are all fords). I'm open to ideas. Anyone have thoughts on the VW Golf? That's another potential. Anyway, yeah, so Car Talk rocks. Not sure how to end it, except, well . . . to be continued, I'm sure, b/c I still haven't bought a car.