If you have insomnia and want something to do, try finding a

[rzemanfl]

cheap used Geo or Chevy Metro on the Internet. Guess what? Even ones in bad shape are getting pricey. I have been driving my '97 Metro since I bought it new. After what I saw tonight, I think I am going to treat it to all sorts of maintenance, maybe even a paint job.

[gateley]

1. Bet you could pick up an SUV for a song. nt

[rzemanfl]

2. My feeling is that someone is going to come up with the idea

of renting parking spots near the downtowns of big cities and put up temporary shower/locker rooms so that people can sleep in their vehicles near work and clean up before they go in the next day. Sleeping in an Escalade or Aviator may become the new status symbol for folks who have McMansions fifty miles from their jobs.

[ClayZ]

4. Volkswagen Campers....

We have never been without one.

But then we only have a one minute commute to our basement studio.

[CoffeeCat]

6. Some people purchased cars...

..that could probably be remodeled to fit a shower and bathroom--and possibly a bedroom.

I hope that no one on DU purchased one of these! http://www.bbspot.com/News/2000/6/exorbitant.html

[gateley]

10. That's funny. nt

[Warpy]

7. It might also be the primary residence

since the house is probably in an upside down mortgage situation and they're in imminent danger of losing it. Living in the SUV might just be the solution for a lot of former 100 mile commuters, at least the single ones. Even in winter, an SUV with a sub zero rated sleeping bag would be preferable to most of the shelters.

Shower/toilet facilities would be a real boon to them.

The last Depression featured bread lines. This one just might feature shower lines for people who have jobs but no homes.

[gateley]

8. I've heard predictions that McMansions themselves

will soon become boarding houses.

[CoffeeCat]

3. Seriously?

These cars are hot items now?

That's pretty cool.

[DesertFlower]

5. we have 2 sports cars that get pretty good mileage.

we also have a toyota tundra pick up truck which gets 15MPG. we have to keep it, but try to not use it that much.

[CoffeeCat]

9. I am embarrassed to drive my SUV...

it gets 10 mpg. I am ashamed of it.

I see other people with cars like mine and I am embarrassed for them.

I have no one to blame but myself, so I'm not whining.

I'm just...embarrassed that we bought a car like that.

It's not even useful. I can't haul anything in it. It's
just a big shamemobile.

[gateley]

11. Go and sin no more. nt

[CoffeeCat]

12. Bess me father...

...for I have driven.

[DesertFlower]

14. hey i like that. nt

[gateley]

15. ....

:rofl:

[DesertFlower]

13. i know the feeling. we bought ours in 2001.

the sad thing is when i bought my 2005 miata in late '04, i sold my '97 toyota corolla. if i would have known how gas prices were going to go up, i would have kept that and we could have sold the truck.

don't beat yourself up. you're not alone.

[Night_Nurse]

17. Two years ago..

I traded in my van and bought a brand-new Toyota Yaris for just over $12k, and that was the best financial decision I have ever made.

I used to live in one of those McMansions, too - I hated it, hated every minute of living there. The neighbors were posers (wonder how many of them are now in foreclosure?), snobs, majority of them Bush supporters. I was the "black sheep" of the 'hood - the only mom with a motorcycle, tattoos, and omg - a liberal. LOL..

I dumped the minivan, the McMansion, the neighborhood association, and the (now-ex) husband all in one fell swoop.. and it felt great. It still does.

Live.Simply. :-)

[gateley]

16. PS -- I'm going to steal "shamemobile". Just so you know. nt