naughty, naughty

There are a few members who recently bought newer Odysseys. Maybe they will fill you in too.

We seriously considered a new Odyssey instead of the 2001 Volvo wagon. The model changed significantly in 2005 and with all the improvements it didn't make sense to get a 2004 or older. So, the Odyssey that made the most sense to buy was out of our price range. I'm definitely considering it post-residency though and then DH would get the newer wagon.

[Sheherezade]

Love, love, love the minivan. Honda makes a great product. We bought it used 2 years ago for 18K but we have had no problems with it. There is a thread called "ideal family vehicle" in parenting written in July of 2005. It has a lengthly discussion about car pros/cons. My Odyssey sales pitch is in there. PM if you want any other info. (And I know a few people have the *new* one - so they can give you updates info!)

[DCJenn]

We're seriously looking at the Lexus 330 Hybrid for the next car. Won't be until we find out where we're going and actually get there though. Of course, if we're sent to Germany, all bets are off...

Jenn

(There's room in a Porsche for a baby seat, right?)

[alison]

Wow! I can't believe the mileage that some of you have... Ok, ok, we don't have kids yet! Between my husband and me, we have one car. A daily-driven, gas-guzzling 1993 Jeep that has 98,000 on it. It's even been driven cross-country twice! Love it when we have to get through the mountains.

I'm in Chicago and get around just fine with public transportation. I find it much too stressful to drive and park in the city, so I guess not having a second car is a blessing. Instead, I hop on the bus to buy Clinique Dramatically Different (btw: does anyone know anything cheaper but comparable to this moisturizer?), shoes, clothes from Ann Taylor (their stuff actually FITS me without having to get alterations!), camera supplies (polarizers, lenses, tripods, etc).
Alison

[Vishenka69]

Just about anything I can rationalize. Or, I can rationalize just about anything.

Food/alcohol and travel are definitely our biggest splurges. We pretty much stopped going to regular supermarket and now stick with overprices gourmet places like Trader Joe's and Stew Leonards. Plus the whole domino effect of "can't cook expensive food in/with cheap kitchen stuff or wash it down with boxed wine." In order to save on travel we have started traveling to countries with good exchange rates (and sticking to US a lot more). Not counting a Madrid layover, we haven't been to Europe in over 2 years.

I don't think my extensive clothes/shoes shopping can come even close to what we spend on food and travel (unless I trade in clearance racks at Loehmann's for current season ones on Fifth Ave).

But this travel/foodie snobbism comes at a price of still renting and driving a 2000 Corolla with a dent bumper.