So we've decided we need to replace the Passat. I love it, but there are less than 10,000 miles left on the warranty, and it's had more than its share of repairs. Like the new transmission they put in at 1,500 miles. And the ignition coils, vacuum hoses, and charcoal filter (who knew cars even have a charcoal filter?). Each of these repairs would've probably cost us several hundred dollars if they hadn't been under warranty.

The trouble is, what to get? I want something that's equivalent to the VW, but I'm cheap and don't want to spend a fortune. So we've been test driving late-model used pre-owned cars. J.P. thought he had a winner with a 2004 Infiniti I35 yesterday, but then I wavered and he . . . well, he got a little frustrated with me. Understandably so, too. He'd done a bunch of research at that point, and then I came in with my big old veto pen. We're going to test drive another one tomorrow night—a 2003 with only 11,000 miles on it. It seems too good to be true. I don't want an SUV, and it has to have four doors. Other than that, I'm pretty open.

So, do you have ideas for me?

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 23, 2005 at 9:29 PM.