> > The next promising thing is a 2000 Ford Escort that we located at a dealer just down the road from us.
>
> Ruby, my car, is a 2000 Escort with an automatic transmission. She's a good little car. I'm fond of her.

Cynthia, you NAMED your CAR? And I thought that was only done by David Arquette's character in "Never Been Kissed." But seriously, is this some trend that I never heard about? Or is it a non-West-Coast thing? For that matter, why Ruby? I assume your car is red...

But back to Ford Escorts and Grishnys. My first car was an '89 Escort, and it wasn't a bad little car. Well, except for the overheating problem. And the lack of get-up-and-go. Personally, I'd go with the Ford Focus instead, but I don't have any strong facts to back that up. And I'm slightly biased because I told myself years ago that when the time came to buy a new car, I'd never buy an American one. I've bought two cars since then, neither of them were American, and I highly doubt my next one will be, either.

When it comes down to it, though, you need a car that YOU feel safe and comfortable in, so don't don't take my ramblings as gospel. My advice on car salesmen: Do your research, don't be in a hurry, and even try to enjoy yourself.

Ell "Nearly walked out of the dealer's office at 10 p.m. over a price difference of $4 a month; guess who won" myruh