Hello Hotrod!

After long and painful consideration of our transportation needs, multiple visits to car lots, web sites, and the newspaper classifieds, seven test drives, anxious salesmen, and much deliberation, we have found a replacement for the Intrepid. Well, not a "replacement" exactly, more like a practical, intermediate solution for commuting while we look for a replacement. Except the "practical" part might be a bit of a stretch. And really, this car would probably be a decent first drive for Kenrick in ten years or so...

Okay, enough already. Here's what we got:

Welcome to the family, Honda Civic Si!

Honey, I shrunk the car!

The practical part? It IS a Honda Civic. With four doors. Used. Low miles. Air bags all around. And all the kids fit. Really. For now.

The make-you-smile-until-your-cheeks-hurt part? The Si. 197 hp, six speed manual transmission, sport suspension, 45-series tires. And according to Wikipedia, 0.9 g's on the skidpad. Color? Habanero Red. How can you not like Habanero Red?

Anyway, this thing is a blast to drive (yes, Andrea is driving it too), and it should get about twice the mileage as my truck so we're pretty pleased. We probably won't be taking any long road trips in the Civic, but it'll work for what we need. Minivan averted for now. Whew!