new wheels

No, I don't have any yet. I spent the afternoon searching around on the internet for something. I have 3 problems:

1. I want something big enough to carry both Ts--just in case we should ever take a trip (and anyway they do ride around town with me when it's cool enough to be safe for them). But I don't want an SUV--I loathe SUVs--and besides I couldn't lift a sick Timber or even a sick Taenzer into an SUV. I could, however, boost them into a van or station wagon. I got this van originally because of Stella's bad hips--I knew as she got older she'd never be able to jump into the pick-up I was driving at the time, and towards the end she sometimes needed a little help even with the low step-in height of the van. If I had just one T I might be able to make do with a sedan with a roomy trunk (to carry the travel crate), though I don't really like sitting down that low--after about 15 years of driving a Silverado pick-up and another 11 of driving the van, when I sit in a regular car I feel like I'm going to be killed at any moment by on-coming traffic. But I don't have one T, I have two, so it's a moot point.

2. I can only afford payments of about $250 a month and I have no trade-in or downpayment.

3. I don't want to be making car payments for longer than three years. Four absolute tops. I saw some vans where payments were like $200--for SIX YEARS. I don't want to be making car payments for SIX YEARS. No way!

And then the other problem is that I have champagne tastes and a generic soda budget. I *need* cruise control and a CD player. I'm sorry, I just need them in a vehicle. I would love to have safety features for the Ts: side curtain airbags, traction control, ABS, rear window wiper and defrost, rear heat/air, heat-reflective glass. I love bells and whistles like remote entry; headlights that give you time to get in the house and then shut off by themselves; lights that indicate low oil, low washer fluid, and low tire pressure; back-up assist; a drawer under the front passenger seat; big cup holders; 6 (or 10!) speakers; stow-and-go seats; exterior temperature.

The Caravan SE I looked at would be fine. It's just so--basic. (whimper) And it's maroon. With a beige interior. A beige interior.

Well, if I procrastinate a little longer, the transmission guy will be back in town and I can get an estimate on my van's transmission. I don't know if it's really worth spending anything on it, since really, I really do need new wheels. I haven't left town in months because I'm afraid we'll break down and get stranded. I need new tires and the mechanic guys tell me I'm going to need new rear brakes and new struts and shocks.

But beige!