it decided to not start anymore. again. and died in the most dramatic way, in a cloud of smoke and shaking idling, then trying to turn over with a click and thunk, then just not turning over any more. and the catalytic converter is gone on it, too. salt lake mechanic #1 deemed it safe to drive to CO and back with the catalytic converter not working quite right (he was wrong), green river mechanic #2 deems that it is now "something in the engine". oh, good.
in other news, i am looking at the forester, the outback, or the Rav4. anyone have any opinions on those? not the off road vehicle i would love, but i can't afford anything more burly right now. i need something that will get me to work and to sketchy trail heads and up the canyons in the snow, and even if it won't hold much gear will let me tie some stuff on top of it. i'm really going to miss my minivan.