We just had to buy a new car -- we blew a timing belt, that tore up the engine, and replacing the car costs less than repairing the old one. (I don't trade in cars every couple years -- I fix them until they're broke. This time, it was really, truly broke.)
The state of the art has seriously advanced since we bought our last car (it's been nine years). We chose a Kia Soul* and besides all the other neat-o features, it comes with an auxilary input and a USB port just under the instrument panels. Technically, the latter is for iPods or other music devices (and it will run music off of a jump drive -- yes, we already tried, but only .mp3 format...) However, it will also run a passthrough... or charge a phone. It also has three power ports (two in front, one in back) so with 12V USB adapters (they're easy to find -- look for iPod accessories, if you can't find them elsewhere), the car will easily support an entire passel of vapers on a long trip.
So far (and we haven't even passed through the break-in period, so I won't speak yet on long-term durability, but with the warranty, I'm not real worried) I'm really happy with this car. Yes, it's boxy, but it handles snow and ice better than anything I've driven save a snowmobile. It's really comfortable for big'n'tall, even in the back seat, and it's got cargo space. We're considering taking it camping; there's enough room in back for a full-sized mattress, and enough cargo space to comfortably take two people car camping with minimal hassle.
* and before anybody goes off on me for not buying American made or at least American branded, YES, I KNOW. I've already gotten this lecture -- thanks, Dad -- but GM, Chrysler and Ford do not have anything 1) efficient 2)that will fit a 6'4" 270 pound guy who is equal parts leg and torso. Yes, indeedy, we do need 30+ MPG, AND legroom. We tried hard, we really did, because I'm the child and grandchild multiple times over of UAW workers who are getting screwed with their pants on... Sorry, but American manufacturers for the past decade have been run by the Marx Brothers, and Groucho's apparently on vacation. I'm not even a marketing specialist, and I can see where they're missing the boat.
The state of the art has seriously advanced since we bought our last car (it's been nine years). We chose a Kia Soul* and besides all the other neat-o features, it comes with an auxilary input and a USB port just under the instrument panels. Technically, the latter is for iPods or other music devices (and it will run music off of a jump drive -- yes, we already tried, but only .mp3 format...) However, it will also run a passthrough... or charge a phone. It also has three power ports (two in front, one in back) so with 12V USB adapters (they're easy to find -- look for iPod accessories, if you can't find them elsewhere), the car will easily support an entire passel of vapers on a long trip.
So far (and we haven't even passed through the break-in period, so I won't speak yet on long-term durability, but with the warranty, I'm not real worried) I'm really happy with this car. Yes, it's boxy, but it handles snow and ice better than anything I've driven save a snowmobile. It's really comfortable for big'n'tall, even in the back seat, and it's got cargo space. We're considering taking it camping; there's enough room in back for a full-sized mattress, and enough cargo space to comfortably take two people car camping with minimal hassle.
* and before anybody goes off on me for not buying American made or at least American branded, YES, I KNOW. I've already gotten this lecture -- thanks, Dad -- but GM, Chrysler and Ford do not have anything 1) efficient 2)that will fit a 6'4" 270 pound guy who is equal parts leg and torso. Yes, indeedy, we do need 30+ MPG, AND legroom. We tried hard, we really did, because I'm the child and grandchild multiple times over of UAW workers who are getting screwed with their pants on... Sorry, but American manufacturers for the past decade have been run by the Marx Brothers, and Groucho's apparently on vacation. I'm not even a marketing specialist, and I can see where they're missing the boat.
