[RWebb]

Just got back from Volvo dealer and BMW dealer.

Volvo sales rep. knew nothing at all about the cars or even what they had on the lot - I did get a brochure from him tho... I bet those things won't have the gnd. clearance I need.

I dorve the BMW 328 xi or ix wagon. Not bad as far as sporty feel, but brakes are grabby (very touchy onset, maybe I can get used to it), steering felt heavy & the plastic fasci in the cabin looks & feel really cheap for a $42,000 automobile. Sale re. didn't know anything about gnd. clearance but did know some other info about the car.

I need to check out those Lexus RX things also.

I've had (leases) 2 Honda Pilots (which I figure are about as good as the Acura MDX) - they are the best compromise for the price out there but just cannot handle fire roads very well. I'd say they are about at the mobility level of an Outback but are larger (bad, since I no longer need to move sheet goods and have the Westy to camp in) and cost more.

I drove the new Outback a few months ago & the hesitation in the transmission (e-gas or some reason) drove me nuts. I'll take another look at them and the 6 cyl motors tho.

In other news, my credit union will give a 4.6% loan for a new Jeep GC. That is better than selling stock, as I expect my stocks will likely go up much more than that in the next 4 years. And (in an homage to Hugh) it lets me manage my tax bracket rates too.