Had to start the truck and drive... and drive I did, to to what needs doing beyond walking distance.
While about and out stopped at the Toyota dealership and peered at, upon and within the newest Xb.
Longer than the earlier version. The 2.4 engine was purdy but, then, almost all new engines are purdy, along with tools, equipment, rolling stock, etc.
Tarnation, when I was new I was.... uhhhh.. newborns are ugly!!!!! But, after a couple years of squawking I was kinda' cute.... for a couple years. Then the ugly factor began creeping in.
Anyway, had to cross the Xb off the possibilites list. Not enough longitudinal room to allow comfortable sleeping. The Silverado with the 8-foot bed and topper lends itself to onboard living much more the the Xb.
Unrelatedly, after driving around the light industrial area and commercial area where service industry folks have their "strip malls" not designed for retail traffic but to act as a base for plumbers, roofers, various repair facilities, offices for various firms with outlets elsewhere, etc, I saw a HUGE increase in the number of empty facilities. Lots of "For Lease" signs.
Just one more piece of evidence for the Coot's prognostication that dire economic times are in the future.
Time will tell but if the worst occurs, remember, your friendly local crotchety old geezer tried to warn thee.
Save some bucks and make plans, folks.
Hope I am wrong but..................
Coot prognostications have been accurate in the past.
