the Car Search

So, test-drove the Scion xD. I didn't hate it, but I'm glad I test-drove it, because I didn't love it either; my enthusiasm for it yesterday was no doubt a recency illusion and also considerable (and understandable, I feel) positive feeling w/r/t the $16K price tag. Alas, I think the things that bug me -- roof comes down lower into the windshield than I'd like; driver's seat is not adjustable up/down, which could combat this visibility issue; gas pedal is incredibly soft -- would continue to bug me, and it's worth spending more not to have to deal with them. (The suspension, which one hears horror stories about, didn't bother me at all.)

Salesguy also talked me into trying the Yaris, which is what used to be called the Echo. It was fine, but soulless. Felt like a rental. Pedals were stiffer, which I liked, but the rear windshield was eensy, and the A pillar was exactly where I'd need to be able to see traffic approaching on the right. No sale.

Am also poking at the Mazda site, where the prices are quite reasonable -- but I'm having a hard time shaking off the love for the Mini. How can it be that the BMW dealership on Rt. 1 doesn't do Minis anymore? The closest Mini dealer the website can find to my ZIP code is in Sterling. Sterling!