tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post592362660709712595..comments2008-06-04T10:42:44.578-05:00Rob Rummel-Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-18445935919073718972008-06-04T10:17:00.000-05:002008-06-04T10:17:00.000-05:00Mazdas have been great vehicles for us. They seem to last forever! Yours is great-looking. Now you've gone and given me the new car bug. Way to go, Rob.<BR/><BR/>I love that you gave your other one to Texas Can -- very cool.<BR/><BR/>PamPamela Scotthttp://scottys-place.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-20725176474819018682008-05-29T22:16:00.000-05:002008-05-29T22:16:00.000-05:00Oh crap. Letting go of the VW. My husband talks of not getting another VW. There's no way. It's THE one constant that's been in my life. (besides my husband but we've only been together 6 years!)....my parents brought me home in a beetle and every car I've driven has been a VW. I'm on my 7th one. Goodbye beetle.<BR/>Some teenage girl is going to have her dreams come true.<BR/>-Shannon in AustinShannon and Careyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12502975676135226121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-234158717453956552008-05-29T12:31:00.000-05:002008-05-29T12:31:00.000-05:00Cute car! I just got a Mazda5 and I love it, even while refusing to call it a minivan. It's a microvan, dammit, and his name is Eddie.Major Bedheadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17669161302510096751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-74137533834414166682008-05-28T12:51:00.000-05:002008-05-28T12:51:00.000-05:00No, I appreciate what you're saying, and I agree to a certain extent, although I'm not ready to give in to Gas Hysteria just yet. There are things in my day to day living that I can do to offset gas prices, and for the time being, at least, I have no problem eating out a little less in order to drive a car I really like.<BR/><BR/>The Speeed3 was a compromise in a lot of different areas, between something that was practical (four doors, lots of space for Schuyler's freakishly long legs) and fun to drive (263 hp, which puts the 25 mpg in a different perspective, and a ton of little computer-guided doodads designed to keep me from killing myself). And since it's a Mazda, we got a very nice price break since Julie's dad is a retired Ford engineer.<BR/><BR/>If all we wanted was good gas mileage, we had lots of choices. But to be honest, I wanted to treat myself a little, albeit in a car that met all of Julie and Schuyler's needs, too.<BR/><BR/>Julie watched me test drive a lot less practical cars (such as the very sweet but wildly wrong Mazda RX-8, or the Mini Cooper, both of which would only work if Schuyler could learn to retract her legs), and she liked the Speed3 the best, as well. (I have to confess, however, that when she test drove it and punched it for the first time, she got the Crazy Eyes, too.)<BR/><BR/>Irresponsible decision? Perhaps, but if you've been reading me for that long, then you know that this doesn't even make the Top Fifty.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-51834180773586468702008-05-28T11:09:00.000-05:002008-05-28T11:09:00.000-05:00Even 25 mpg isn't great for a brand new car... My 14 year old car gets 32 mpg. I am perhaps too sensitive to this stuff, but with estimates of gas prices going ever skyward, I pay close attention. Sorry to be a downer! I've just been reading you for years and know how tight money has been in the past for you. I'm happy you are doing better now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-26067780477291170182008-05-26T20:38:00.000-05:002008-05-26T20:38:00.000-05:00Short sighted? Is there an apocalypse coming that I was unaware of?<BR/><BR/>So far I'm averaging right at 25 mpg. I can live with that.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-29097546213116921032008-05-26T13:56:00.000-05:002008-05-26T13:56:00.000-05:00Your new car is very cute, but 18mpg city? Seems short-sighted. Gas around here is $3.89 at the cheap places...<BR/><BR/>Sorry. No one likes negatives. I'll shut up!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-33286424268624084032008-05-21T22:14:00.000-05:002008-05-21T22:14:00.000-05:00Hi! I just this minute finished your book. I could not put it down. So well written. I love hearing about your sweet and cool daughter. I will always be thinking of you all and wishing you the best.<BR/><BR/>Please keep writing more.....I am hooked!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10415990188478250116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-41277359138987231782008-05-21T13:28:00.000-05:002008-05-21T13:28:00.000-05:00In another eight years, it will be time to buy Schuyler a car. Good lord, I can't believe I even said that out loud...Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-90369323982786359482008-05-21T13:08:00.000-05:002008-05-21T13:08:00.000-05:00Eight years! It seems like yesterday you bought the VW. <BR/><BR/>You'll be relieved to know that I approve of your Mazda purchase.<BR/><BR/>I'm little shocked you went with the 263hp earth-destroying version. I bet you ate a big lunch today also. Obama would not be amused.<BR/><BR/>In another eight years it will be time for you to do what I recently did, and buy a motorcycle.Jim Howardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18228368552972082442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-63540459586950663552008-05-21T12:53:00.000-05:002008-05-21T12:53:00.000-05:00I agree. And the irony is that this car feels much more evil than Beelzebug ever did, with it's 263-hp engine and it's creepy glowing red dash display. I drove it at night last night for the first time, and it was the first time I had seen it all lit up like that. I'll have to see if I can get a photo.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-2603432476050081492008-05-21T12:46:00.000-05:002008-05-21T12:46:00.000-05:00Sad, indeed. But perhaps saddest of all.. it will be hard to find a moniker so kickass as "Beezlebug" to equally suit any other car. I mean "Beelzebug" is pretty much the sweetest name ever.<BR/><BR/>Ever.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10521973210197204413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-46086203858780177832008-05-21T10:34:00.000-05:002008-05-21T10:34:00.000-05:00The car that brought my son home from the hospital was a cab, but I know what you mean. My little Corolla entered service the month after his arrival, and is very much a part of the family. Only two years old now, but I expect it to take the critter to elementary school. <BR/><BR/>I had a very close relationship with my college car, an '88 Nissan Sentra that ended its life only a few years ago, with 250,000 miles on it. I sold it to a friend in '96, and it kept on chugging. He sold it to his brother a few years after that, and still it ran, albeit reluctantly. Only after catching fire and burning to a crisp on the side of a country road did it finish its life here on earth. <BR/><BR/>Play Stravinsky's <I>Rite of Spring</I> on Beelzebug's speakers before committing it to the scrap heap, and celebrate the cycle of life and death. The atoms that are Beelzebug shall find a new place in the cosmos, as they have in the past. Recite the Law of Conservation of Mass, and sprinkle some chamomile leaves over its carcass. No reason, I just like chamomile.matthewhttp://www.thematthewshow.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-35814032925046422322008-05-21T07:43:00.000-05:002008-05-21T07:43:00.000-05:00Aw, bye Beelzebug. Ya done good.<BR/><BR/>I love that when I clicked over to see the MazdaSpeed3, the tagline was "Every family has one...the Wild Child" - seems somehow appropriate for the Rum-Huds!<BR/>-PegkittyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-87259520370866814442008-05-20T23:43:00.000-05:002008-05-20T23:43:00.000-05:00Rob, you made me cry over a car. Of course, it wouldn't be the first time. Jessica and I were both sobbing like babies when we traded in my 99 bug (Gracie). Good bye, Beezlebug!Jolenenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-73613622304767063222008-05-19T22:01:00.000-05:002008-05-19T22:01:00.000-05:00Maz-te-zoom-a?Pat in Austinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-74007412048259274362008-05-19T17:28:00.000-05:002008-05-19T17:28:00.000-05:00It is indeed, the end of an era. I cried when we got rid of the car that carried my daughter home from the hospital. <BR/><BR/>Godspeed, Beelzebug.Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-17954749748570258332008-05-19T14:52:00.000-05:002008-05-19T14:52:00.000-05:00Yeah, the Speed3 is only available in a stick. I hate driving an automatic, I can't stand it when I am forced to do so.Robhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-31684087276671423662008-05-19T14:49:00.000-05:002008-05-19T14:49:00.000-05:00Our 4-person family also has a Mazda3 as our 2nd car (other one is *sigh* a minivan). LOVE it. Super zippy. Hopefully you have the manual transmission to take full advantage of the zippiness?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-32100240818615573882008-05-19T14:35:00.000-05:002008-05-19T14:35:00.000-05:00Cool!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-19122709650197710262008-05-19T12:29:00.000-05:002008-05-19T12:29:00.000-05:00I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets sentimental about non-living objects...reading this, I actually felt kinda sad for poor old Beezlebug, even though he's lived a good life with you guys. I hope he gets some good rest :)Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543875776819421840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-74355889083285903002008-05-19T11:55:00.000-05:002008-05-19T11:55:00.000-05:00Maztema?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-14544172578882510002008-05-19T09:35:00.000-05:002008-05-19T09:35:00.000-05:00I once had a tiny, demure-looking Mazda. It fooled not only me, but also all the testosteronial cars at traffic lights, once leaving a snarling Corvette in its dust. You will not be disappointed.Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-61363374382289917262008-05-19T03:07:00.000-05:002008-05-19T03:07:00.000-05:00I'm sorry to hear about Beelzebug's demise, but I freaking love my Mazda3, if it's any consolation. Have you named it yet?SarahJanethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08121024637294995634noreply@blogger.com