I propose a toast

[cjsmith]

Random status:

Called insurance companies (both). Called other driver to confirm license plate number. Appears fairly certain other guy's insurance is accepting liability. Guy on phone said so, anyway.

I don't even have collision insurance. Oddly, this amuses me. (Years ago I decided the car wasn't worth enough to keep paying that bit.)

I will now confirm, never having been a customer of theirs, that State Farm is very nice to deal with in the initial stages of a claim. So is AAA, where I am insured.

Lots of meetings today. The lunch one ran very long, and then the 2pm didn't start until 230 and lasted until after five. This would have to be the day I'm playing phone tag with two insurance companies! Bailed out on a trip to a company we're working with in MtView. No time left; that'll have to be Monday. Also bailed on two reference-check phone calls. Drat. Want that wrapped up, darnit. Well, it's just not been a good day, that's all.

Escaped the office and went to my chiropractor before he closed up for the day. Got a gentle once-over and some good advice.

Canceled tomorrow's flight because I have no clue how I am going to feel in the morning and it will be too late to cancel by then.

Drove the crippled beast home. Parked backwards in the garage so I could exit the car.


Now that I'm not flying in the next 24h, and I'm not driving anywhere tonight, and I have had one hell of a day, I am settling down to some DRINKING.

I propose a toast. To our mechanized servants/companions, stolid beasts of burden, haulers of heavy loads in punishing conditions. To the one, loyal for seventeen years, who gave its life for mine today.

Comments

[allanh.livejournal.com]

Randy suggests: "A Scion xA or xB - cheap, peppy, safe, basic transportation. Also, the Toyota Matrix or Pontiac Vibe (same vehicle) is a good choice. You could probably pick up any of these used off of a lease somewhere. For new vehicles, any of the ones I've suggested, plus the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris or Corolla."

When you're over your shakes, give me a call and/or c'mon over while we're unpacking this weekend, and you and Randy can chat. (Or if you're going to Jen & Joe's party for Elli & Gwen, we can chat there.)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks for those ideas, and please pass my thanks on to Randy as well!

I'd really love to know what's as small as the car I have now. Today's Corolla is noticeably bigger. I just don't know the market.

I look forward to seeing you in person at Jen&Joe's! :)

[allanh.livejournal.com]

Randy suggests the following vehicles have a similar wheelbase and size factor to your 17-year-old Corolla:

Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe
Scion xA
Scion xB (if you want lots of storage space)
Honda Fit
Toyota Yaris

And he's quite willing to go on test drives with you. :)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks! 8-) 8-)

[psi-star-psi.livejournal.com]

You two are way ahead of me. I figured I just needed to put Randy and CJ together for 10 seconds tonight, but it sounds like the whole thing will be settled by then.

[allanh.livejournal.com]

It'll all be over but the test drivin'.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I'm looking at those cars, and they're all... big. OK, I know I have a weird perspective. What I'm driving is 65 inches wide not counting the nonexistent right mirror. The smallest thing I can find out there is today's Corolla, at 67 plus a mirror. I know I'm being a little persnickety but in our garage, next to Rob's two-door land yacht, it'll make a difference. :( (Right side mirror counts because I park on the right.)

*sigh*

[allanh.livejournal.com]

Randy says these are among the smallest reliable cars currently marketed in the U.S.. He points to the Matrix and the xB, both of which he claims have about as small a footprint as you're going to find on a car these days.

Except perhaps a Mini. But those are (a) expensive, and (b) not as mechanically reliable as Toyota/Scion.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I'm finding as well. I truly don't want to spring for a Mini. If I were going to spend that much money I'd want something with a longer life expectancy. Even the Beetle, once synonymous with "small cheap car", is both wider and more expensive than the Corolla!

Top runners at the moment, in preference order at this particular instant:
- New Corolla (same width as Yaris, and width's all I care about)
- Used Corolla
- Used Prius (one inch wider than a new Corolla)

PS: Sorry to miss you tonight!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

We finally decided we simply weren't up to going to a party tonight. Probably could have forced it, but... er... and it involved driving... bleah. Sorry I'm not going to get a chance to see you and Randy!

[shadopanther.livejournal.com]

When I last stopped by a Toyota dealership, I asked one of the sales people for a recommendation on a good cargo space to gas mileage ratio & was also recommended the Scion xB or the Toyota Yaris.

I won't be replacing my little Corolla for some time though, so my query was just out of curiosity.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

On interesting: the Yaris made the list and the Corolla didn't. Hmm. I didn't like the rearward visibility in the Yaris, but maybe it's worth looking again. MPG does matter to me.

[shadopanther.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing that the salesman suggested the Scion xB & the Yaris hatchback as both have a larger cubic area for potential cargo than the trunk of a Corolla. When I do replace my Corolla, I would like more cargo space, but I still want to get decent gas mileage. I didn't sit in either the Scion xB or the Yaris, so I don't know what the feel is like.

Some time ago I drove a Matrix. I liked that it had ok gas mileage and that the front passenger seat folded down, allowing space for long items. I also liked various safety features. However, I didn't quite like that the steering wheel felt very close to me in order to reach all the controls & I don't like that the antenna sticks up in the middle of the rear of the car. (The antenna being centered could potentially get in the way of long items, like a canoe, being put on the roof.)

Btw, in GOOD news: I recently got the rest of the parts I needed to complete my Yakima car-top rack (plus load stops)! Once assembled, I will be able to transport (properly tied down): lumber, IKEA stuff, ladders, or canoes on top of my little Corolla! :)

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, the Yaris hatchback - I'd forgotten about that model.

The Matrix is very large for me. Seems like a practical vehicle, though. The stoopid antenna placement is also on today's Corollas, and I am assured that it can be removed. :-)

YAY car-top rack!

[kennita.livejournal.com]

When I had a Honda Civic CRX, I loved it. Small, peppy, almost Tardis-like cargo space, good mileage, and very reliable (I had to replace the engine, but I was running the poor thing on a racetrack, and IIRC it did make it over100K with that treatment), and it fit me very well. And not expensive, as cars go.

That's my recommendation,FWIW.

If Randy can help you get the door to open and close, I'd say to take your time picking out a replacement car. Maybe even if he can't. Don't take any wooden carburetors.

Cheers,
Kennita

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Indeed, when I was looking at cars the first time (1989) the Civic was high on my list. Reliability and just general sturdy-workhorse-ness for its size were right there with the Corolla.

Sadly that door ain't goin' ANYwhere. It's pushed in so far it's deforming the driver's seat. With a big enough hammer we might get the rear door to work. As you say, though, I can still take my time. I can climb in and out the other side.