just wondering
 

I'd hold out for the hybrid Lexus RX330 which is due out at about the same time. That is, unless Ford's reliability miraculously improves.

just wondering
 

Why did I see that coming?

(Actually, most of the incidents I've seen have involved mini-vans, which suggests that kids tend to die in vehicles that tend to get bought by people with kids.)

Drinking Age
 

I could be a case study to prove GWNC's point. Growing up, we were allowed to drink wine at dinner on special occasions. My underage relatives are still allowed to do this in my family.

While I was in high school, my best friend's parents encouraged all their kids and kids' friends to drink at their house so there would be supervision. We drank just as much and got into a lot less trouble than our classmates who were stumbling around in the woods.

The sad irony was that my friend's sister was killed by a drunk driver.

Dilemma
 

I think you misunderstand. I'm not and never was that kid. It's an analogy. I feel like I have to be that kid for my job. That's what I do.

TM

just wondering
 

And then, hope like hell that a lot of them get sold, or you won't find a part for them anywhere after a few years.

just wondering
 

In other words, "why post that, it means nothing, it adds no facts to the discussion, it's just someone's conclusions and we know what his conclusions are going to be all the time anyway"?

Just checking.

just wondering
 

Good point. Lexus is aparrently going to market it as the upscale model... V-8 power with economy car mileage. There should be enough people who would get suckered into going for the perceived top of the line model to keep then selling for a few years (not that I would buy one until they had been around for a decade or so) I see a surprising number of Hybrid civics in these parts though. And by surprising, I mean that I notice one that has a hybrid badge on the back every other week or so.

just wondering
 

You are a bitter, spiteful little man.

;)

The fake chuckle
 

Can someone teach me how to perfect one of these bad boys? I have noticed that some of those in offices near mine are really strong in this area. They use them for chit chat around the proverbial water cooler with people who clearly make their skin crawl (like the fat guy, the Bill Lumbergh guy, the bimbo looking lady). One of these folks tries to make a funny and these fake chucklers just toss the head back and do their thing. They also do it really well with partners, who do it right back if they are in a fake good mood that day. Me, I just do a fake grin and try to squint my eyes and make it look like a real grin. Then I get the hell away from the water cooler. My fake laugh, which is quite rusty, always sounds so transparently fake to me that I think it would offend the undesirables on the receiving end of it. And god forbid they heard my real laugh which sounds nothing like my fake chuckle, and which apparently cannot be simulated, then the undesriables would know for sure that they were being fake chuckled at. Which I think is kind of insulting to their intelligence, such as it is.

So how do these people pull it off? Are they really fooling the undesirables? And arent these fake chuckles more rude than polite?

just wondering
 

Well, every single problem I've had with the Explorer has been self- or other person-inflicted (dent from backing into pole in front fender, replacement of passenger side mirror due to miscalculation of distance of gate, two windows replaced due to other people badly wanting my stereo or rollerblades, armrest over center console replaced because the Displaced Dog thinks of it as a throne, wheel replaced because backed into a curb and dented it). Aside from regular oil changes and scheduled tune ups, I've never had to take it in for anything mechancial. I've had it four years / 45000 miles, and I wouldn't hesitate to trust it to take me anywhere I need to go.

Greetings
 

Ok, one more off the MIA list.

Welcome back, bro.

not7yS

Dilemma
 

Speak for yourself. I am so swamped that I have to have my secretary type my posts in. Oh and I really crack the whip when there are spelling errors.

just wondering
 

How does a 5 year old die in a car? That is my question. And how does he allow his 3 year old brother to die in the car? My 5 year old is unbuckling his belt and raring to go as soon as I pull up the parking break and shut off the car. Because I cannot say it any way without sounding like a cold-hearted bitch, I will simply say "natural selection" and no more.

Another Dilemma
 

So let me get this straight. You're sporting low rise, tight, hip huggers? Good God man.

TM

The fake chuckle
 

I almost forgot that you are not married. :D