So my 99 Escort ZX2 decided to die on me, I don't blame the car i blame the genius who designed interference engines. I was looking a 2010 Hyundai Elantra because they have the best warranties around, however the Raptor has crap credit. The bank wouldn't finance it even with two thousand down. They will however cover a 2010 Dodge Avenger or Caliber. So I have to make a decision, either way I'm not as depressed anymore. Not having your own car, for me, is like not being free. Pay on the car I get for a year or so ... establish credit since I never had an auto loan before ... and I can gun for what i really want. A 2012 Altima. Though that's probably subject to change, once I have the established credit I might aim for something else. Not sure yet.


* Update *

The Dodge Avenger has it's ... issues. For one I think they had a setup installed that prevents instant speed boosts, when you hit the gas the engine actually thinks about it before the car starts to move. The transmission runs a little rough too, meaning you can feel the car shift and you can feel it downshift when you brake. Interior wise it isn't too bad. The cruise control is in a convenient spot, but the controller for the blinker and high beams is tricky. to turn the high beams on you press it towards the dash, pull it towards you for a brief high beam flash, but in a pinch you can accidently turn them on when signaling to turn. The dash materials are pretty cheap, some kind of plastic that scratches easy but it does look somewhat decent I guess. Not sure if they have inherent brake issues but sometimes they squeel, mostly until I've used the brakes enough to warm them up .. or that's how it seems. Sound system and handling wise it's smooth as silk, and the steering wheel really doesn't take much to move the wheels. Unlike my Uncle's Navigator which you have to rotate ten times just to take a small turn, man he's fucked that thing up since he got it. I'm so used to making constant little corrections to stay straight I do it out of habit in the Avenger, got pulled over because of it the cop thought I was tipsy. Ha! I can live with this for six months, maybe a year if need be, until I can get what I want. Right now I'm leaning towards an Elantra due to Hyundai's ten year hundred thousand mile warranty. That and they're really damn good cars, dependable and more than decent on gas. All in all the dealer bent over backwards to try and work a deal for me, in the end my lack of ever having a loan bit me in the ass. I'll give them my business once I'm ready for a real car, one I don't have limited mile use on, and if you live in the Maryland area up near PA Auto Showcase Cars is a really good place to go. The only bad experience I've had with this whole mess is the check engine light being stubborn, I think oil change needs can trip it since it's been going off and on while the car keeps telling me to change the oil. Which it's been saying since I got the car. I have no clue how far or hard someone ran it while ignoring it.