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Ok, I'll rank now in order of dire importance. With reasons.
1) Reliability - Obviously, if it doesn't run, you can't drive it.
2) Handling and brakes ready to perform well in LA traffic - If it drives like shit, driving is more of a chore than it has to be.
3) Small in size, yet roomy enough inside to fit my 6' Hal comfortably - a 6' person can fit comfortably in most cars made in the past 5-10 years.
4) Readily accessable for purchase within the US - Very important if a part needs fixing.
5) Good gas mileage - Most small cars can achieve very good gas milage today. More factors are involved in how the car are driven however.
6) No puny engines! - Most people like some get up and go power, but most recent cars can perform well enough for traffic today.
7) Not a sports car - Questions on this, see below.
Now with everything ranked, time to start hacking away. (Questions in italics so they are easier to read)
Looking at the first 3 rankings above, it's down to Toyota, Honda, and possibly Subaru.
With number 4, readily accessable: Where do you intend on driving? In the country, or in a big city?Toyota and Honda are very popular cars, so almost anywhere you go, they can be fixed. Subaru is a very good car, but in smaller areas you might find problems in getting replacement parts, or the mechanic might not even know exactly what he's doing.
Good gas milage can be achieved by either Toyota, Honda, or Subaru.
As for the no puny engines: Do you intend to drive on average 40, 60, 80, 100, or 120? All three can comfortably go 80, when you start getting in the 100 and above, I personally give a slight nod to Subaru.
The no sports cars: Do you mean you want a safe car, a car with low insurance, a bland car, or just a car that doesn't have a wing that is completely useless "wing" on the back? (In other words, elaborate please)
Also, one more key thing: A price range is needed.
With all I have to work with right now, the options are narrowed down to a Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and a Subaru Impreza. Each one, comfortably equiped, will run around $28,000 - $30,000.
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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"
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