Evil, Rotten, Enabling DH (Or, Somebody Talk Some Sense Into Me!)

[Irulan]

be extra nice to your hubby tonight.

[Skierchickie]

Ooooooh! I am SURROUNDED by enablers! (Like I didn't know that) (Eeeeevil Irulan!)

I may have neglected to mention the fact that we're test-driving a Mini Cooper Saturday, when we're in Minneapolis. So, on the one hand, I don't need to be buying an expensive new bike. However, on the other hand, maybe he's buttering me up for the Mini?? But I'm already willing to look into that.

[ilima]

Ooooooh! I am SURROUNDED by enablers! (Like I didn't know that) (Eeeeevil Irulan!)

I may have neglected to mention the fact that we're test-driving a Mini Cooper Saturday, when we're in Minneapolis. So, on the one hand, I don't need to be buying an expensive new bike. However, on the other hand, maybe he's buttering me up for the Mini?? But I'm already willing to look into that.

Your hubby rocks. And who cares if he's buttering you up for the Mini--they're fun little cars!

[mimitabby]

chuck the mini (terrible gas mileage!) but accept the bike with all the dignity you can muster. if you like it, that is!

[Skierchickie]

According to the Mini website, they get mid-30s on the highway (which is mostly the driving we do - actually country backroads, but no stop & go traffic at all). The Mini appears to be better than any of the other cars we've looked into. Theoretically.

Oh, and the Jeep Cherokee is getting somewhere between 15 & 19 currently (my, I love my Jetta diesel!).

[Mr. Bloom]

Don't do it!

There, is that what you wanted me to say?

[Blueberry]

Get the bike (if you love it) and get a honda fit. Great bike hauling car

CA

[kfergos]

According to the Mini website, they get mid-30s on the highway (which is mostly the driving we do - actually country backroads, but no stop & go traffic at all). The Mini appears to be better than any of the other cars we've looked into. Theoretically.

Oh, and the Jeep Cherokee is getting somewhere between 15 & 19 currently (my, I love my Jetta diesel!).

I had heard that gas mileage is with premium gas, and that while you can put regular in, it doesn't get nearly the same gas mileage as before. If you're trying to save money on gas, buying a car that needs premium isn't going to help; but if you're trying to save the environment, the gas mileage makes sense.

[Crankin]

I have a Jamis Coda that I use for errands, appointments, and short rides in the winter when the roads are a mess. It's a fun bike. And it was so cheap. I am impressed with what you get for the $. So, I would be surprised if their top of the line bike was anything but great. I also had a 5200 and it was a great bike. I got talked into buying another (talk about impulse; don't go there) bike, even more money, which essentially doesn't fit me. Two years later the shop owner is willing to take back the frame, but he doesn't sell much in wsd bikes for short people that I could get there.
So, the moral of the story is make sure everything is right before you buy.

[mayanorange]

I'm on my second Jamis- I think they're great bikes. I can't afford Xenith, but the line seems to fit me well, so I'm happy with my Ventura and I had some great adventures in CA on my Cross Country.

As for cars, it might be cheaper to use premium depending on the car- My old truck (who I miss) used to get 20% better gas mileage with mid-grade or premium than it did with regular. So as long as the price difference was less than 20%, it was actually cheaper. And usually (espcially now that the bas price is so high) there's not much difference in price (~5-10%). Of course since she didn't do any better on premium than mid, I got mid-grade.

My car plug is you should consider an 08 pontiac vibe if you can find one- yes, it's not as snazzy to drive as the cooper, but it gets great gas mileage with its toyota engine (mid to high 30s on the highway), great cargo ability, and for what you get, the price is superb (especially now the 09s are out). 09 gets worse gas mileage (tho is more fun to drive), is smaller (less head room for my 2 Bernese) and the rear glass won't open (how am I supposed to get a 2x4 in there then??).