As a general rule, it is true that you are best off to go for the best car you could afford when you start out. My problem is that if I spend 10-20,000 on an old car because the engine was just rebuilt, or the paint just done and then the engine blows or the paint starts peeling 2 years down the line I will be really, really upset. I'm not joking! If I buy a cheaper car to get in and do it up the way I want I don't have the large initial cash outlay and have only myself to blame when my new engine or paint go bad. The one universal rule is to buy what you want. You are better off spending a little extra to get the year, or options that you want because you are going to be living with that car (and spending a ton of money on it) for a long time. It's obvious that Hugh can live with Mrs. Blueberry. I have had my #1 car (not an Imperial) for 33 years and I'm only 36 years old. Rob, who has never made a logical decision about his cars. _________________________________________________________________ Concerned that messages may bounce because your Hotmail account is over limit? Get Hotmail Extra Storage! http://join.msn.com/?PAGE=features/es