Front airbags are unsafe for kids because they blow directly at the passenger. Side airbags blow straight down, so they don't directly impact the individual they are designed to protect.

Our 2005 Chrysler Town and Country has a cool airbag feature - it has a pressure sensor in the front seat. If there is no one in it, it is on. If there is weight in it less than 100 lbs, it is off. If the weight is over 100 lbs, it is on. Not that that is on topic in the least, but I thought it was cool. It also has adjustable pedals, making it much nicer for my 5'1 wife, as she no longer has to hug the steering wheel to drive, making it much safer for her should she ever be in an accident where the airbags deployed.

I love housing prices at present - as long as I don't have to move. Makes me look good on paper. In 1993, I paid 108K for my 1900 sq foot house. Those houses in the neighborhood now are going for about 500K. So I have lots of value, but I couldn't buy anything comparable for less than 500K, so it's a catch 22.

scaeagles~my suv also has that side passenger dealio and I think it is pretty cool, too. If you sit in the seat incorrectly, also, it won't be on. {I had time to read some parts of my manual...}

Well, yeah, since you are in a house you are doing great. I just can't believe how they keep going up. I would bet your house is worth more than that. The last I heard on the news is that they went up to about $600,000.

Ah, but what's really cool is the Jaguar feature that uses sonar to determine the position of the passenger. If they lean forward, with their head near the dash, it disables the airbag as well.

We all can't live in your world of wealth, GD.

Hah, I wish.

I was going to say...

Hey, I went to Monterey last week {or so} from Yosemite. All along the way, just past El Portal, we were passed {on and off} by a group of Ferrari's {don't know if I spelled it correctly, doesn't matter, really, right?} . Turns out they were headed into Monterey, Laguna Seca and downtown, for shows, etc.

What a freakin' treat to see all of the vehicles I saw! Old ones, souped up ones. Right on the street to check out. Ah, now THAT was green eye inducing. And made me so want to take one and cruise up and down Hwy 1!!

My '94 Maxima is still chugging along. I think mid-nineties Maximas are possessed by the devil because they never die. I see 10 copies of my car every single day. Think about it, these things are 10 years old! If you see a car that old on the road, odds are it's a freakin' Maxima ;)

I did put a lot of work into it over the years but it's not bad compared to the cost of a new car. At this point I know I'll probably get another 5 years out of it.

My evil side wishes it would die so I could go take advantage of these awesome employee discount sale prices, but I know I can't afford that anyway.

Well, if you'd get a real job instead of that librarian crap, maybe you'd make enough money. :evil: :p

Hey! I resemble that remark! {sort of...don't have the librarian job part, though...}

CP~ Our van is a '94 Ford Aerostar XL. The ac doesn't work anymore and neither does one of the automatic locks. We have put way too much money into it as well but it still runs and I have to admit, I still love it. It still has it's Mickey head on it, as it has since we bought it. I know, it is just a vehicle but it has been with us through so much, through so many trips with the family. I fondly remember using those built in child seats...*sigh*

But we don't see too many in very good shape on the roads. At Costco, the gas station attendant told the Hubster "Wow, Aerostar. Don't see those around much anymore." Now come on! They aren't like Hugos or anything like that!!!

Well, you are strong not to give in to the sales. When we went for the SUV I was leaning towards a Mustang. My husband said 'What about the kids?' I replied 'What kids?' Well, my memory of them came back and we got the suv.

When we want to drive a sports car, we can rent one, I guess.

I salute all of you that are willing to deal with car repairs. I hate them. My first car, acquired in 1984, was a 73 Chevy Nova. Ironically, in spanish, Nova means "doesn't go". Spent so much freakin money on it and it never did work that well. So now I buy new with 7 or 10 year warranties so I don't have to pay for it. I've found it to be worth it. We got a 10 year warranty on our Hyundai Santa Fe (purchased three years ago) so that my then 8 year old could have it when she turned 16 and not have to have car repair bills for a couple years still.

I think quality has increased, though, in how cars are made. They offer the extended warranties are dirt cheap prices anymore because the cars simply run well and last longer.