My love/hate relationship with vehicles...

UGH. Where to begin? I guess it all started when I was 16...when I got my first car. Back then I probably would have rather hitched hiked my way to school and back! (You will know why in a second...) But looking back, I do consider myself rather lucky to have my very own car the day I got my license. And a Mercedes none the less. Now, before you go thinking I'm some spoiled princess 16 year old...this Mercedes probably isn't the same as the one you have envisioned in your mind. We called it "Old yellow." Simply because it was old and yellow. Go figure. My 1985 Diesel 240D was DANGEROUSLY slow. Seriously. I would get flipped off, cursed at and sped by anytime I gave Alabama Hill a go. I'm not joking. It was miserable. I would down shift to the lowest gear and put my petal to the metal, and barely make it up the hill at 15mph. Thus my hate for this car and wanting to hitch hike. (which I did on numerous occasions, but thats another story, probably not one to be told, considering my mom reads this...) This was my very first car...

Anyways, next car, another Mercedes. This one was called "Big Blue." Even older and louder than the first one. But I liked this one much better. For one, it was fast. As fast as a 1981 400sd can be. And two, it wasn't yellow. Thank God. It was actually a really pretty silvery/blue. We still have it. It has almost 250,000 miles on it. In fact, I was driving it last week when my Jetta was broke down. None of the windows rolled down, one was actually stuck all the way down and have been duct-taped and plasticed off ;) Gotta love it. Don't even want to know how that looked with my two kiddos in the back seat. Geesh... And the drivers door made a gnarly, VERY loud cracking sound, (resembled the sound much like a pistol being shot,) everytime you opened the door half way. But whatever, beggars can't be choosers. This was my second car...(not the same color...and the car might have been just a tad bit longer.)

Third car, my least favorite by far. 1990 Red Jeep Cherokee Laredo. It was my mom's idea, why? Because it was "Raider Red" as she called it, and me, being a Bellingham High School RED Raider at the time, I guess she thought it would be great if I showed my "Raider Pride" in my choice of vehicles. Bless her heart...I HATED this car. You had to hold the key, turned down in the ignition for a good 5 seconds before the car would start up. And this made a delightfully loud, obnoxious noise =) It had a spider infestation that almost cost me my life once on Lake Whatcom Blvd. And it had a tendency to bellow smoke and overheat. Often times when both my parents were out of town. Ahhhh... here it is...I don't think I will EVER drive another Jeep. (Sorry Jeep lovers)

4th car...(are you bored yet??) I liked this one. It was cute. I felt cute when I drove it, I miss this car. 1990 Black Mercedes 190. Of course I got this one right after I graduated high school. It was "peppy" as my mom would say, grey leather, sunroof, and it was black. Black always makes cars look nicer. (Is that a word? Nicer?) Hmm....this car also had a tendency to overheat, but I didn't care, it was cute, afterall. And that was all that ever really mattered. I drove this car for a while, until I decided to make my first BIG purchase and get my own car, one of my own choice. But first, a pic...(minus the spoiler)

The parents made us kids a deal. They would help us purchase our first car. They would pay for half, we had an allowance of up to $3500, meaning we each could pay $3500 for a car up to $7000. This was awesome! I searched and searched for my perfect car! Then I found it. 1996 Audi A4, forest green, tan leather....SO CUTE. I loved this car, it was absolutely adorable, and it was FAST! Have you driven an Audi?? You should. They are quick, and smooth and wonderful. I heart Audi's. What I don't heart? Fixing Audi's...can you say $$$$$$$$$?? WOW. Thats why I ended up selling it. Basically I put my life savings into buying this car, I didn't think about how much the up-keep was going to be. So I sold it to a friend, I still see it around town, and I still miss it. Mark my words, one day, when I'm rich, (ha) I will drive another Audi.

And now I'm driving your typical Bellingham Car. I say it's typical, because I do believe about 2 out of 5 people in Bellingham drive one. Thats right... a 2001 Silver Jetta. It's a good car. I really can't complain to much, it's never done me wrong. It just isn't a good fit for me and my kids. The back seat is so stinkin' small the kids barely fit. Britax carseats?? Not a chance. I literally have my seat pulled so closely to the stearing wheel it probably isn't safe. All this because Reese's leg would be squished, or Kyler's car seat simply wouldn't fit. Ugh. Not to mention, I live on top of a HUGE, very steep hill, atop a mountain in Sudden Valley. I got snowed in three times (once for 3 1/2 days!!!) in the month of February because this car absolutely bites in the snow. People thought I had lost my mind; in town there wasn't even the slightest hint of snow, yet my driveway, my street, had 2 feet of it. Also, it's a manual. And let me tell you, trying to shift, talk on a cell phone (naughty I know...) and communicate/pass food/clean/discipline my kids while driving= NOT SAFE!

WHEW! All that to say, I need an automatic. I need 4 wheel drive. And I an SUV. Leather would be nice, considering it's much easier to clean, but it's not a must. I have a budget too. A very small bugdget. I need something that doesn't have 10 bazillion miles and is on the verge of a break down. I also would prefer something that can be fixed and maintained at an affordable rate. IE nothing Eurpean. My dream?? This baby right here...

If only I had $20,000.......this is what I need a husband for ;) Just kiddin'. (though I would look good in this!) A 2003 Acura MDX. Why I love it? They are complete luxury vehicles, made by Honda, cheap parts, last forever, look good. Nothing else to say. One day, one day......

Anyways, anyone have any ideas?? Big enough for children, decent gas mileage, good in the snow??? Help me please.

lyss