Still having a real choice...

[STORMINORMAN]

Having read all the latest and greatest about all the new cars, trucks and SUV's, I can't help wondering if we are not looking at the last generation of Americans to really have a choice in what they choose to own & drive? Sure do get better mileage (for the most part) and performance levels are definitely up there with the Musclecars of the '60's. BUT....

The average cost of buying, insuring & operating a new car/truck has risen so dramatically in the last decade that it looks like the "average" citizen better start looking for an apartment next to the closest mass transit stop!

Buy a used car and fix it up? Not cool enough! The high schoolers around here drive Acura, BMW, and for some strange reason, Jettas? I saw one in a 2 year old Range Rover the other day and confirmed with my friend's son that it was, in fact, the kid's car! Got it for his 17th Birthday... Must be tough.

Between the increasing price and the unbelievable technilogical complexity of the new models is the real dilemma: you can afford to buy the specialty used car of your dreams, however it is out of warranty and if the tranny goes or you need a new engine it may cost you more than the purchase price.

And I can only imagine what lengths the Environmental / Safety Nazis will go to in order to get our evil vehicles off the roads so all the good little e-consumers can ride their bikes down to collect their entitlement benefits and their settlements from the McDonalds/KFC/Burger King (BAD FAT!) and Coke/Pepsi (BAD SUGAR!) lawsuits!