I like your thinking.

^this^

The Lacrosse mild hybrid got about 30mpg in mixed driving, and nearly 40 on the highway. Putting that gas/electric powertrain in the TourX would be a smart move. Sadly, I doubt it’ll happen. 

… or a barely used Transit Connect with leather and navigation.

Funeral directors must have excellent taste in cars.

The Soul would make a great choice, new or used. 

The Continental is still in production, and seems likely to continue through 2020 at the earliest. Nice choice though... it seems to meet all his needs.

The Fusion Sport is awesome. The buyer should also consider a late-model Regal GS with low miles.

I like your thinking.

The Silverado’s grill is ludicrously large and some commentators dislike its overall proportions, but the truck shown in the article is a lovely shade of blue. Your wife has good taste.

I wish Ford would deliver the diesel they promised. A small, competent van that beats 30 mpg on the highway would be awesome.

1. A car this light should not need power steering. They can just make the steering wheel a bit wider to improve leverage.

I like the cut of your jib (triangular!).

Seeing someone fall asleep immediately after pulling up to a fuel pump would be extremely disconcerting. Especially someone in a vehicle that “rustic” who’s wearing pajamas.

Even Jalopnik liked them at one point, as shown from this review of the 2006 GT convertible:

Well said. Mine has had some small issues over the past 12 years, but has never left me stranded. It’s been a great car for the money. 

The backlash against these cars worked out great for me. I bought a leftover 2006 PT Cruiser GT convertible in early 2007 with only 18 miles on it for a bit over $17,000. That’s a fantastic deal on a 230-horsepower drop-top with heated leather seats and room for four adults. The PT just weren’t as popular at that…

They still offer the base car here in the U.S., but the Sport Hybrid is cooler.

They still make the RLX, too. It’s just not very popular.

Correct. The X1/9 had a massive frame for its overall size (these are absolutely tiny vehicles-shorter, narrower and lower to the ground than a Miata). They are far tougher than the similar Porsche 914 or any small British car of the era.