Despite the original posters overly extensive post, with certain questionable content, the central point is still quite vaild. We as a nation spend more money on grass than on any other crop. That by itself should be reason enough. Read up on the history of lawns and you'll find that they were orginally created as a means of demonstrating wealth (aka, I have this big area and I can afford to do nothing with it except grow grass I can't eat) Regarding the comments of junegem13 and zachslc, you might want to read up on the legal history of this movement. As it turns out, most weed laws (ones based on hight, not on noxious weeds) are unconstitutional. Nonetheless, if you are in a city or subdivision and decide to do a wildflower meadow where there is not an reasonable ordinance, then you should notify your neighbors and the city about why you are doing and the legal preceedants. The EPA has all this information. Regarding property values, that was the original complaint neighbors made against one landowner when she converted her lawn into meadow. When they were unable to demonstrate an actual decrease in property values, the city ordinance was ruled unconstitutional. Afterwards, the neighbors decided if they couldn't beat her that they'd join her and replace their own yards with meadows. Property values in that one neighborhood are now some of the highest in the city (Specific names and places, are available if you want them). Time and time again, lawn alternatives done correctly have shown to raise values, not lower them. In Charlottesville, VA local government is working on an ammendment to exclude native meadows from our weed ordinance. Other cities are doing the same very quicky, especially since the weed ordinance as written by many localites constitutes a legal liability to local governments.

'U' are preaching to the choir here...

Thanks, lots of great information, should be of value to many readers of this thread. Just for discussion, I decided to drain the rear differential with the car on the garage floor, I didn't even raise it on low ramps, so I had more difficulty developing much torque with my outreached arm I just looked up the torque, surprised to find it is 30 ft-lbs. I carefully watch all fluid changes, oil included, by putting a clean piece of cardboard under the drain plug area and coming back in a couple of hours and look for any drips - of course I wipe the plug area well before putting starting the drip test. This was my first rear differential change and the only other person to have their "hands" on my Forester is the dealer, and never for service. But when they get the car in they do a general check over and come up with $500 + recommendations for fluid/grease change. I always figured that was a good deal, they are looking for more profitable work and should be good at finding real problems too. Now here's one for you, given what I just said, I yesterday pulled the glove box to gain access to the cabin air filter. I figured it would be time to change as it is recommended at 30K and the car has 55K miles. Wow, open the filter housing, no filter! Now where did it go? Anyone's guess, but the only two I can come up with is 1) factory error, 2) dealer took it out and forgot (?) to put it back during one of their look for work efforts. The car has been to the dealer twice, once for tires and once for a recall. The '04 Forester has a "crush" washer on the oil drain plug, and when not changed/replaced at least for a few (I wasn't counting) drains it may start to drip very slightly. I was in Advance Auto yesterday to buy ATF to drain/fill the auto transmission (just the pan, no power flush)and asked after purchasing some new crush washers. They had some, per their computer, but had trouble finding them. They must not be a big seller. I have never replaced an oil drain plug washer in any other car and I've kept one of those to 200,000 miles. There may be an oil drain plug replacement with a better washer arrangement. I suppose the auto transmission drain plug is the same. But as this is the first time it is off, I'll just reuse it.

We're looking at SUVs right now. I have to say if you are having trouble with low seats, I can totally agree since I currently have both a Ford Fusion and a Hyundai Santa Fe! The Fusion is a pain in the b**t to get out of easily, whereas I'm 5'6" (with short legs) and can slide in/out of the SFe without a problem. I would agree with those that say check out the smaller utes - but also important are the height of the door opening, and how high the vehicle's ground clearance is. Subaru models tend to be high, for example, even on the smaller models, because they are aimed at serious AWD users. My SFe is 7.3" on ground clearance. I would not recommend the Ford Flex; it's basically a mini-van. Unless you have a real need to haul 7 people regularly there is no reason to own it. I happen to love that boxy styling, but for 2 people it is ridiculous overkill. Best for families who are hauling a soccer team around, LOL. We are currently looking at the Ford Edge and the clearance is slightly over 9". Getting into that car is definitely close to the 'pull yourself up' scenario for me. For my DH, who is 5'10", no problem. It's nowhere near as bad as a Nissan Titan, for example, but even without being told you know that Edge is taller than the SFe when getting into it, either as driver or second row passenger. Sometimes ground clearance stats can be hard to find. The Escape has a 7.8" clearance. The Hyundai/Kia have 7.3". RAV-4 is 6.3". CR-V is 6.8". As others have stated, there is no substitute for actually seeing the car and sitting in it. No need to even take a test drive, if you don't want to. The Ford Escape, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Chevy Equinox, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson all compete in this market. You should note that many smaller models are going to CVT trannies, and you may either like or dislike them. I live in an area with hills and I find the power lag is too severe with a small engine. Don't dismiss U.S. mfgs. Due to the strong dollar, the price increases on Japanese and German cars are making a noticeable difference. The 2017 equivalent of my old Hyundai SFe costs $4K more than I was quoted on the top-of-the-line Ford Edge. Back in 2003 when I was buying the SFe, it was the other way around! I would not recommend the GMC Terrain, Volkswagen Tiguan, or any Jeep or Mitsubishi model. The GMC is little different than the Chevy but priced higher, and the other three have very poor reliability records. If you are going after a luxury level small SUV, the list on Kelly Blue Book is at: http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/luxury-compact-crossover-suv-buyers-guide-new/2000011021/ Happy hunting!