Dr. Pomade

Yes, I did look at autotrader. There was a white 2011 MDX that I found on there that is coming into some dealership in Connecticut (Imports Unlimited, I think?) that I called about - it has low miles (3000), the entertainment and tech packages, and they were only asking $39K. The salesman at the dealership said it hadn't come in but would call me when it did. $39K on a 2011 MDX with those packages is definitely on the low end of what I've found - so low that I'm almost suspicious of it. There were a few others that I found on autotrader that seemed interesting. IIRC, there was a white 2011 MDX in Memphis that has low miles, though I think they wanted in the area of $46K for it.

I think I'm with Jones (and Clay) and have an X5 or Q7 (or the GL, like Clay said), but all of those are a bit too pricey for my wants and needs. Also, I'd figure the maintenance costs (long term) will be higher on the Europeans.

You ever heard of stay-at-home mothers? I have. Listen, it's all about genetic fitness, my friend. Find a hot mate that cooks, cleans, and takes good care of your kids. Have as many kids as that hot mate can tolerate. Leave your legacy in genetic material of offspring. Use your free time not raising kids to race GT-R's and play Assassin's Creed.

Noticed that as well.

+ level increase You are now a 82nd level mage warrior.

Also, the RDX is too small for what I need. I've looked at the X5 and the Mercedes GL, but they get real pricey real quick. This is going to be a car my wife runs into curbs with, shit gets spilled in, and my kids puke in - the less I spend on it the better.

I test drove the MDX and didn't notice anything unusual. In fact, I very much enjoyed it - rode more like a sedan, sits up high enough to make you feel like you're in an SUV but not so high as to make you think you'll topple over going around corners. I wasn't overly impressed with the power, but then again it's for the wife so that doesn't matter all that much. I made offers to buy both the 2011 MDX and the 2012 TL. They didn't accept them. At one point, the salesman did the whole "let me show you how little money we're making" on the MDX. I asked to see the paper, wrote "John's Bank Account: -$XX,XXX" and said, "Here's how much money I'd lose on this deal." The salesman did not know what to say to that. So, don't think I'll be buying from Acura of Columbus. Will likely check out Lindsay. Like I told the salesman at Acura of Columbus - I'm not in any dire need to buy a vehicle today. It's always a buyer's market. I don't really have anything negative to say about Acura of Columbus. Of course, I wish they would have seen things my way and sold me the cars and the price I offered, but business is business, and nothing personal. FWIW, the salesman I worked with there was a decent guy, despite his standard salesman tactics. I don't take them personally.

My understanding is that the "two months salary" rule originated with DeBeers - a family that obviously has an incentive for people to spend money on diamonds, and the more the better. My point in bringing up the "two months salary" rule wasn't meant as advice for the OP. Rather, it was used to refute Cordell's reasoning. I'm sure you didn't mean to quote me out of context, but I felt compelled to clarify nontheless. Also, FWIW, people who earn money can spend it however they want. Two month's salary, no month's salary, a year's salary - it's your money; spend it how you like. I've always been a fairly vocal advocate of that stance. Best of luck to the OP.

http://i37.tinypic.com/5d47mf.jpg

Making disastrous decisions when it comes to women like a boss since 1990ish.

Now that I know that you know him makes your post more reasonable. Also, FYI, I'll be the first to say that spending a bunch of money on an engagement ring is completely unnecessary. Sadly, I know this all too well from experience (read: poor judgment).

P.S. Rule of thumb for what to spend on an engagement ring is two months gross salary. If you make $100K a year - the example you used - then that would be roughly $8300 per month gross. So, $8300 + $8300 = a whole lot more than $2k.

LOL, is this real life? How much do you think an engagement ring costs? $14.75? Maybe $327.90 for the really, really nice one? Very interested in seeing if you've owned yourself as much as I think you have by calling that other guy stupid.

NO WAI TELL ME MOAR

They have a loaded 2011 (new) MDX - with technology and entertainment package (including rear DVD), the upgraded wheels and tires, fender flares, ski rack thing on the top, etc., etc. for $56k out the door - tax, title, everything. They also have a loaded 2012 TL - AWD, upgraded package, etc. - for $46k out the door. Good deals, bad deals, or about right?

Be Acura, be a cocktease: http://www.acura.com/FutureVehicles.aspx

Any word on what the new MDX is supposed to look like/be like? I'm not in dire need to make a purchase right now - waiting six to nine months is easily doable.

Would you mind saying more specifically what's wrong with Acura of Columbus? Or PMing me?

True, but I kind of wanted Ohio State to be a dick about it. "Oh, okay, you want to ban us from the bowl? Okay, well we take back us vacating those wins then. Yup, we smoked Arkansas - hang that Sugar Bowl champion banner back up."

Anyway we can take back us vacating all of our wins from 2010?

I thought about Lindsay, but then ruled it out because of the drive. (I'm in Hilliard.) However, with what you guys have just said, maybe I want to rethink being put off by that drive.

I'm pretty much convinced a GTR will be my next fun car.

The MDX is for the wife. The Audi is still in play for my DD. Haven't quite decided on that one yet. I figured I would just get the SUV situation resolved first. And, technically, yes, I will be buying three cars: one for Ashley, one for my DD, and the summer "fun" car.

Haha, this is awesome. Trolling overdrive. RymerC you asked for it.