What kind of car to buy?

As a boy I read Car and Drive magazine (among other things I did) which over time gave me the role as the family's 'expert' on cars.

I still like to follow the car industry and get queries from my family like the one below.

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Subject: Car blogs
From: Cory
Sent:Thu 3/27/08 4:07 PM
To: Kyle

Hey,

I ran across this site http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com. Do you have any other fav sites for reviews or insights into current model autos?

I'm looking for a car ... I am seriously considering a Ford so Papa will be pleased, as should you. Well, sort of...its a Volvo...but I'm sure you understand. I've been looking at a couple of used/certified S40'sand S60's.

I'm ready for a fun car to drive, but like the safety/reliability and ...the clincher....have a friend who is a Volvo mechanic...so I'm ready for anything.

Cory
________________________________

From: Kyle
To: Cory
Subject: Re: Car blogs

Ford is actually trying to sell Volvo as it is strapped for cash. As cars go, I still read CarandDriver.com (C&D) occasionally and usually use cars.com for my car research. I think you'd have a lot more success and enjoyment in a Mazda6 (another Ford, but much more fun to drive, just as reliable, and possibly cheaper).

In my mind Volvos aren't known for being 'fun-to-drive.' They are generally marketed towards women who want a safe, quazi-luxury, cushy-ride car. You might also look at the Nissan Altima. It came in #2 after the Accord on C&Ds list of top cars. It is more reliable than the Volvo, rates higher on C&Ds fun-to-drive list and isn't likely to end up owned by India's Tata motors (like Volvo may).

Later, Kyle

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Re: Car blogs
From: Kyle (email)
To: Cory (email)

The recent sources for my opinions: http://www.star-telegram.com/chambers_williams/story/517257.html

Check out the highs and lows.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparison_test/hatchbacks/hot_hatches_in_the_roaring_20s_comparison_test/2008_volvo_c30_t5

Kyle
________________________________

Re: Car blogs
From: Cory
To: Kyle

Thanks! No, seriously, you should put this on your blog as well.

Thanks for the info.

Cory

Trip to Santa Fe

Follow this link to see some photos from our Spring Break trip to Santa Fe to visit my parents on their mission.

New site about Jesus Christ

This site, recently released (just in time for Easter) has some wonderful talks and testimonies of Jesus Christ, His mission, and His gospel. I highly recommend it. I especially like President Uchtdorf's testimony (and the other testimonies of the 12 Apostles).

Snow in Mansfield

OK, the snow was just a skiff in our neck of the woods, but the children were really excited about it. This picture was taken at 7:30am after they had been running around playing in the snow for a good 15-20minutes.

If we were 30-45 minutes north we would have had between 4 and 10 inches.

Why did I vote that way?

I just read a friend's post regarding who he voted for (found here). After first reading the post I thought "Boy, now I feel small. I voted for the person I thought would be easiest for my second-choice candidate to beat." (Instead of sticking to my first choice candidate until the bitter end) But after a second thought, I think just voting for my first choice really wouldn't do justice to the voting process.

Circumstances changed when my first pick pulled out. The bitter end came and went for him. He doesn't have the support to make it. Unlike other candidates who keep beating a dead horse, my first-choice candidate understood the facts and stepped aside when he knew what people really thought and what the numbers were saying.

So my next thought was, given the new circumstance, who would be the next best option (and how can I effect the outcome)? So I voted for a candidate who was the best opposition choice for the candidate I want to win.

*******************

Attending the caucus tonight, my voice was silenced once again by the droves of supporters of the other opposing candidate....At least I made a partial stand with my vote earlier in the day and the children had a 'boring' evening attending a history making political event amongst a crowd which made us the minority race.

***************

Now its after midnight and as other concerns keep me awake, I wait for that 3am phone call (you know the one that keeps popping up in the TV ads?) ;-> Checking the results, I find Hillary Clinton is projected by CNN to win Texas. I think I can sleep a little better now knowing my second-choice candidate has a little better chance to make it to the White House.

A new Prophet

As we fought the regular (of late) battles to keep Paul and Erica content during sacrament meeting this past Sunday, one testimony managed to hit me to the core. I was again reminded of one reason why we bear testimonies once a month.

One brother's testimony simply stated he knew that President Monson had been prepared to be called as Prophet for today. As he said the words, I felt the confirming 'voice' of the Holy Ghost confirm to me in both mind and heart that President Monson truly is THE chosen prophet called of God for our day.

How thankful I am for that simply born testimony! Now I can say, I too know that President Monson is God's chosen mouthpiece for today!

Mothers Who Know

This morning I read a talk given by Julie B. Beck (Relief Society General President) last conference called "Mothers Who Know." She describes the kind of mother I want to be. One sentence particularly stood out to me. "These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most." I have never (excluding high school) been involved in lots of activities, but somehow, reading this statement from Sister Beck mattered to me this morning. It seemed to whisper to me, " Yes, it is ok if you don't do everything. Do what you can, focus on your family, and you will be happy." The world would tell me that if I don't have a certain amount of time for myself, or pursuit of my own interests or abilities, that I could not be happy, but they are wrong. I know I will find happiness by following the Lord's plan, and that means trying to become a "mother who knows."