[longwoodklon]

Bob,
True enough on the safety. It's one reason I do like my big truck, but driving 100-150 miles/day to work it is getting awfully expensive. Not to mention my truck has 172k on it now and though it runs great still, it's a lot of miles. I had carpooled with 2 others in the past which helped enormously, now it's just me.
Saw you got an '09 S model. I actually am in the process of getting an '04 Corolla. Found one that had only 17k on it, it was a second car for an old couple and it looks like new. (Thanks to CB's advice, after looking at the $18k sticker prices I thought about the Corolla he bought and the interest rate. Hopped online to search used cars and found this 17k mile '04. Got quick funding at an outrageous %, but am in the process of getting a home equity line which is running 5.75% now, and I can write off the interest so not bad)
We looked extensively at the '09 Corolla and '08 Civic(she saw the Yaris/Fit, and I could tell right away she wouldn't even consider those cars). The '08 Corolla's were all but gone, 1 dealer had an LE left but for the money I'd get the new model. The wife really liked the Civic(8 air bags, pretty impressive). But those 2 cars('09 Corolla, '08 Civic) are pushing $17-$18k+. It's hard for me to justify that price on a commuter car.
That said, the wife is hoping the deal on the '04 falls thru. Then she will DEMAND the '08 Civic.(Did I mention she liked the Civic?). But I am hoping to have that '04 Corolla sitting in my driveway by Friday.

/Mike