Toyah

i think you need to find a mercury topaz. those are great.

Are you still wanting an SUV? When I replace the truck I'd really like to go with a hybrid. Toyota has a first-generation hybrid truck/SUV out, I think, and the American makers are not far behind.

I think high gas prices are here to stay, so we might as well plan for them. Catch: if you want an SUV, you'll probably have to buy a brand-new first gen.

Well, maybe an SUV, or perhaps a small car or truck. This would not be a primary vehicle. It needs to have a working a/c and low maintenance requirements.

I would consider a hybrid in the right price range, but from what I understand, given their substantially higher price, there are no net savings to buying hybrids over other cars.

Yeah, they may not be mature enough technology to be cost-effective yet. The fuel savings are impressive---I test-drove a first-gen Toyota car and was very impressed.

I think in time they'll be the wave of the future, but you'd have to do some serious research to know, or as least reasonably expect, it to pay off now.

If you're not doing a hybrid, I think I'd recommend looking at non-American cars. None of the Big 3 are doing well, from what I hear, while Toyota just recently passed Ford to become the #2 carmaker in the world. All those people who bought them can't be wrong, eh?

The batteries in those hybrids are a beast to replace, or so I hear. I don't think those hybrids really save you too much in the long run.

HONDA/TOYOTA, enough said.

Good call. We already have a Honda Accord and it has been great. I think I may try to find a Toyota Tacoma with 75-100k miles.