MDX vs. Altima Hybrid

We need a new car. Yang's current car, 93 Infiniti G20, is reaching the end of life. It's drivable but we are not sure how long it will last. We sinked in a couple thousand dollars a year for maintainance. We almost brought a new car in 2004, but decided not to at the last minute. Four years later, we really need one, but what kind?

I drive a used 03 Acura TL and like it. Our first choice is a used Acura MDX. It seats 7 people and will be useful when the extended family go out together. For the last few weeks I have been doing some window shopping. The local Acura dealers has some used Acura MDX's but none of them offered me a good price. Yang and I also tested the latest MDX. Great car but too expensive for us.

Last Saturday (4/26) I visited Nissan dealer. They had the new 08 Nissan Altima Hybrid on display. After a quick test drive, I just brought it. I called Yang and she didn't even bother to come for a test drive. I brought a base model with no options, and the price is slightly below the official invoice price. Next April I should be able to get a hybrid car rebate from the US government. So overall it's good buy, and I didn't have any stress throughout this process.

The car looks slick from outside. I didn't pay much attention of the interior. When Yang went to pick up the car, she wasn't happy to see the dark interior. It's too late. She would have to get use to it. After a few days, Yang gets use to it already. It sure gets good MPG. For now we are keep the G20 and will rotate the cars for our commute.

How Many Toy Cars Victor Must Have?

As many as he is allowed to buy. Victor loves toy cars, trucks and trains. He plays with them, takes them to places, puts them under his pillow and sleeps with them. Sometimes he gets into trouble, playing with the toys during supper, and almost knocks over the dishes. He cries when we take his toys away, but he'll be fine when Yang gives him a big hug.

We often go to the One Dollar Store to buy the toy cars. They cost a dollar; some come with a package of three. Once we got him a fire truck, tow truck and a police car, all for one dollar. Once a while we go to a drug store and buy him five dollar cars; they are slightly bigger.

He has race cars, small trucks, passage cars, vans, garbage trucks and others. He has cars in red, yellow, green, purple, and many other colors. He has tiny cars, small cars, and larger size cars. We have his cars everywhere.

Victor is learning to share his toys with Oliver. He chooses a few for Oliver to play when Oliver comes to the house. Still, he carefully guards his toy cars, causing some conflicts when they both want to play with the same cars.