Someone ran into me back in Nov and totaled my 2008 ES 350 Lexus, and I purchased the the 2016, same model, shortly afterwards. I didn't test drive any other car! I love the way it sits, not too high or too low, as with many of the new models. It has every option known to man, a very generous trunk, and spacious back seat. I've had a couple of 'altercations' with heavy truck treads on the road, which caused absolutely no damage to the under carriage. DD has a Kia and had the same thing happen,and did cause damage and a part needs replacing. It also feels heavier than most cars I have ridden in as a passanger. Also free car wash any time I need/want. ;)

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!

Funny this just came up. DH just bought a 2009 Miata with only 42k miles last week. He's been looking for one for a while and managed to find out about this one thru a friend. The guy was downsizing vehicles and decided to sell it. It's just to have for quick errands into town and fun day trips with some friends in the local Miata club. It didn't replace either of our current vehicles. I've only had family cars to drive and driven boyfriend's sports cars or muscle cars. Have owned everything from VW beetles to big Buick 425s. More recently I've bought German (BMW) and DH keeps us provided with a truck of some sort. He had a Shelby Camaro at one point years ago, BK (before kids). He wishes he still had it.

Did they know before boarding took place that they needed those "reserved" seats? If so, announce to the pre-boarding gathering that you need to have four folks agree to stay off this flight and go later ... who's willing to do that? Probably no one ... so you offer an incentive ... if still no takers, up the offer, until you get four to agree. If already boarded, same announcement ...and increased incentives, until four agree. Didn't someone say that this fellow had agreed to not go ... but then found no flight available that day, so boarded anyway ... which makes him the miscreant, in my view ... but, even so, no reason to treat him as they did. And whatever other parts of his lifestyle there may be aren't part of this equation, in my view. In the States, they have a Passenger Bill of Rights, I hear, and also in other countries ... but Canada has none, it appears ... (so reported by some who've been claiming such in the past few days ... and that it's time that we get one!!)! Hey, Canadians ... look up your M. P.'s phone number, O.K.? ole joyful ... who doesn't fly often