Test drove a Scion today, as part of their promotion on Elmwood.

I'm always happy to drive a different car, and the fact that I got a free coffee card made the deal even sweeter.

When Scion was announced a few years ago, I was thrilled. Why? Because I knew that Toyota made the best cars, but I also knew that they had become expensive and were made more and more for an "older" demographic. Scions were supposed to be cheaper and cooler.

And they started out that way, with small, affordable, efficient cars.

And then they got bigger.

And more expensive.

And less efficient.

And then they decided that the most important thing was being cool.

So there were all kinds of custom paint jobs, and fancy options, and lots of fluff added to what started out as a cool affordable car, from a company that really didn't need the gimmicks at all.

Here's a tip, Toyota. If you want to sell a lot of cars, the options aren't that important. The "accessories" (hats, t-shirts, key-chains, etc.) are even less important.

In fact, you don't even have to work that hard on design. Japanese cars of old are just what we need today. Here's a car you made in the 80s that I would buy in a second if it was still made today. It got great gas milage, was cheap, lasted at least 100k miles, and was still fun to drive. Please see the Toyota Tercel:



Some other cars that would completely sell if anybody bothered to make them anymore:

The car that I knew as metro: (over 40 mpg on old technology)

Even cooler was the CR-X:

Put a new clean diesel in one of these things, and they would sell even faster!

Stop making cars bigger and more powerful. Stop making them more expensive. Stop trying to be cool. Just make a good, small, car. PLEASE.


Don't believe me? Check out this story:

If you drive a Scion. Today on Elmwood Ave.

It's a $15 gift card.

My review on Scion will come tonight.

This one might be a challenge. Lets see if I can do it.


1. The "I told you so" factor: I knew adjustable rate mortgages and interest only mortgages were stupid.

2. Bad news for the country can be good news for Buffalo. Economically, we can't get much worse, and when people lose homes elsewhere, they can still afford them here.

3. Some appropriate reforms just might get in place.

4. Greedy people get exposed for who they are (Read 2 Timothy 3).

5. Money market funds might get insured.

6. Drama gets added to the debate.

7. MY bank hasn't failed yet.

8. This is another good reason to establish an alternative economy.

9. Also another good reason to own your own stuff and grow your own food--stuff like that.

10. When we are all poor, my used car and thrift store clothes won't be as unusual.

One more great thing from the City of Champions.

BRO gave us some press for the fundraiser:

PS: Tickets are still available. (E:strip) can prove its superiority to Buffalo Rising by showing up en masse!

(Comment and I will get you tickets)