Opportunity Lost...

...but that's not necessarily a bad thing.  The car in the previous blog sold off the lot yesterday before I could get home and get more information in on it.  So while it would have been a lot of fun, it does now give me time to first think of my rationale behind wanting a new car, and then finding the right one for me.

So first things first.  Rationale is pretty straight forward, or at least so it seemed at first.  Primarily, is to try and futureproof my car payments.  The last thing I want is my wife's car going out the same time mine does, and that would be in the 3-4 year time frame.  So if I were to get something now (and take advantage of the downright desparate auto dealers to boot), I could have it paid off before my wife gets the new car.  Until I thought about it this morning, I thought that was it. 

Then while getting ready today, I thought of another reason, small as it may be, that is influencing me.  I've wanted a motorcycle for a looong time now, but never had the funds to pull it off.  However, when I looked myself in the mirror today, I was able to come to grips with something.  I could get it now, today if I wanted - but I don't want to anymore.  I just don't believe I would ever feel completely competent or safe on it, and that would always make the ride less than perfect...and that I don't want.  I don't want to get a bike and feel anxious about riding it.  Yeah, I'm sure that would fade with time, but the 'ol "what if it didn't?".  Sooo, I think looking at a more 'fun' car is my mind coming to a grips with that, and figuring out what I can do to have some fun on the road (during my daily 70mi roundtrip commute) but keep myself and my family safe.

So, here's the question I have for all of you - what would you get?  Budget is in the $18-20k range, and I'd be interested in something with less than 15k miles so I could count on a long tenture in my garage.  Zip is 18966 for any searches ya' may want to do.