>Maybe I have been unusually lucky with Toyota and Subaru (2 of each), but they don't seem to give much trouble the first 200k miles.
>

You're not unusual. Everyone I have talked to about cars who've owned Toyotas have more brand loyalty than just about anyone else. My boyfriend's Toyota Corolla has 200,000 miles on it, and it's never given him trouble.

Well, last month the fan belt broke. But that was the original 16-year-old fanbelt.

Actually, by now, I'm hoping for it to die because the car isn't much to look at, and I'm ready to by a new one. The paint is blistered and flaking off, the upholstry is ripped and threadbare, and the windshield is chipped and cracked. Call me shallow, but I'm ready to get a car that doesn't look like it should be parked in front of Sanford and Son.

Mike, however, wants to stick with the Toyota until the bitter end. Which shows good character, I guess... it's not wise to toss away a perfectly good possesion (or girlfriend, ahem) just because it's not shiny and attractive anymore.

Anyway, our next car will be a Toyota.

Speaking of brand loyalty, what is with those Calvin-peeing stickers? Are there any Chevy or Ford pickups out there that aren't plastered with one of those disgusting things?

--Jez"Volkswagons are nice, too"zika