Sounds to me like the Elements your best bet. Its very inexpensive and
very practical. The reliability of a Honda is another good point. I do
follow ups for car dealerships sales/service departments. I haven't
heard anything but good things.

* That is good to know.

* Like I wrote we looked at many of others in the segment and for us
the Element was the top choice.

The Vibe is a good car, and again nothing too negative about them. I
think with the round of new cars they are coming out with, I might want
to wait to see what they do.

* The Vibe is a good car!  It's an excellent commuter.  The only
stopper on that one was the resale value.  A new one would have cost us
about $20K.  I could _easily_ find LOTS of used '06s for under $17K and
'05s for under $14K.  That's just too big of a depreciation hit for me.
Yes, I know numbers wise we should have just snapped up a used one
instead of paying new-car depreciation on an Element, but we figured
we'd rather put our own dents and scratches in the new Element than to
buy one someone else had dented and scratched, and may have abused
and/or not maintained the vehicle the way I do.  And many of the used
Elements we looked at were roughed up... lots of senseless
scratches/dings.  I got the feeling many of their owners are not the
types who spend their weekends waxing/polishing and frequently changing
the oil/filters.

And last the Scion. While a great car for a great price, you want to
make sure that is what you want before you get it. I have heard a lot
of people say they really love them or they regret they bought it. It
is something with no middle ground.

* That's interesting.  What were their reasons for not likng them, do
you remember?  Because we seriously considered one.

Good Luck. Hope this helps.

* Your "good luck" came late.  But it's comforting to know now.
Thanks!

Josh from p'cola.

- On that side note: Where did you test drive that GTO? I would love
that
opportunity.

Lee Pontiac, used cars.  It had but 1K on the odometer.  The owner
bought the auto version then decided what he really wanted was a
6-speed model.  The trade-in was probably the most expensive 1,000
miles he has ever driven.  

Patrick
'93 Cobra
'06 Element