(As I consider if a SUV is really do-able).
7:41:27 PM   []

I really wish I could sort for vehicles by tow capacity and sort by MPG.
6:43:55 PM   []

In Microsoft software development terms, I'm resolving my alternator bug 'Won't Fix'.

Of course, my car still works, it just requires me to offline charge the battery and I can only expect to drive for about an hour on a charge. I'll take a look at it and see if I can replace the alternator myself, but it's still going to be $300 to buy the part.
6:17:45 PM   []

$519 to get the alternator replaced. Also the muffler is going to fall off any day now and needs replacing. And the brake and fuel lines are rusting away and need replacing as well.

The concensus at work is that I should not do the work and trade it in for a new car. Because it was just a few months ago that I replaced the starter ($500) and fixed a leak in the exhaust system ($250). Lease? Buy? Ugh... Why couldn't the Neon just last a little bit longer? I don't really want to add a car to my personal finance equation so soon after buying my boat.

I would like a two seater but I don't think any two seater is going to acommodate hockey bags, wakeboards, skis, or bikes. And I won't drive an SUV or wagon (except a Volvo or Audi wagon). So my requirements are:

• Fits my gear in the trunk: hockey bag, wakeboard
• Roof rackable: Skis, bike
• Easy to mod to hook up my (broken) iPod to the stereo
• Good MPG
• Sporty looking and feeling
• Nice design
• Not too pricey. $15 to $25k-ish

Yes, I could buy another beater, but I'm feeling a little bit tired of beaters.

I have considered going carless but it's not really an option:

• I play hockey twice a week all over the greater Seattle area
• I sail once a week and it would take a day to take the bus there
• In the winter I ski
• In the summer I hike, go boating...

12:36:51 PM   []