I am a recent Volvo convert after looking for years. Now that I am an old guy who is trying to get by on retirement it makes sense. I do my own maintenance up until the transmission or engine has to come out. Old cars may not make sense if you pay somebody for maintenance. I used to drive Saabs. Wonderful, fun & horribly expensive when they get older. I believe the Saab body is better, but mechanically........ The old brick is simple & mechanically built very well. Parts are cheap compared to Saab.

As for the Prius comment. People need to wake up and look at long term costs. BATTERIES There was a university study done a few years ago that proved it is cheaper long term to drive a Hummer than a Prius. The whole hybrid & electric car idea needs to be looked at more carefully. Especially electric. Do you know what would happen to our overloaded grid if all of the electric cars the green movement thinks we should buy were ever all plugged in? And green? Electricity is not green when they make it with coal, oil & then carry it across the country on wires that have resistance. Batteries are anything but green. Big picture thinking is needed.

One of the biggest problems with our economy today is the debt issue. The interest on a car loan that is 5 years long is insane. The other points made about insurance and taxes are valid. You could buy another car with it. I bought a permanent plate for my brick for $176 (Montana). The insurance added $6 a month to my existing policy. New car? No thanks. Even if I had the money I would not do it.