and the winner is...
A 2008 Dodge Avenger that I am mostly unimpressed with, but met my "bang for buck" requirements. Still has factory warranty, 170HP and roughly 30mpg (hwy).
*sigh*
Car shopping is no fun when you don't wanna.
On another note entirely, I scored a room at the hotel for Shore Leave. What? I'm allowed to be optimistic on occasion.
I do indeed have beaucoups pics of my MD trip and will get them online when I have a spare moment. I've been spending all my time dealing with car shit and doing laundry since I got home.