Wild Card/Sunday — 11/26/06

I was out checking out cars Saturday at three local dealerships — Subaru, Honda and Toyota. I’m not good a dickering. But I have one valuable asset as a buyer in my arsenal: I don’t get star-struck by an automobile. The hottest car I ever had, a 1968 convertible Camaro, almost cost me my education four decades ago. I finally had to let it go to my sister because I couldn’t afford the payments and go to school at the same time. I wound up riding a bike to school and work. Life without a car payment was wonderful. I’ve never forgotten that lesson. When a salesman who’d made a pretty fair deal asked today if I was ready to drive a pretty sweet car off his lot, I said: No way. He was taken back further when my answer in the negative to his next question, too: Aren’t you in love with that car? I’ll probably have a nice car to pick up my urchins from the airport this Christmas season. But, then, mebbe not. Now, for your Wild Card …