Michelle, I would have had a mini years ago if I hadn't had dogs. Now I can't afford one! I still have a 1992 Izuzu Rodeo that has 158,000 miles on it. I swore I would drive it into the ground. What a gem, I put almost no money into it except to change the oil every 3000 miles. Like you, I drive very little. Mostly lived near work and took few road trips. Then one day, at around 155,000 miles, my radiator went out just outside of Garberville, in the Sierras. I coasted into town, even my glasses steamed up. That got handled and then about 5,000 miles later my water pump went south. That's when I decided I couldn't trust the old girl for road trips. Not wanting to put damp, smelly dog in my pretty new car, I kept the Rodeo just for the dogs. I keep it insured only for liability. It's also good for dump runs and friends borrow it if they're moving. I bought a Prius in 2007 - then I sold it in 2008 for a bit more than it cost me. Now I have a Honda Fit. Small, nippy, but has very good cargo space, I found could fit dogs in it if only they would sit down and not smell. Hence keeping Rodeo. It's really fun to drive and now with Scoop gone, it works well for Rags. He was never the one to go full out swimming and deep sea diving so he was never the smelly one. Rags just stands in the back, body quivering, whining "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" Rob, I once had a Miata and I loved it too. I sold it to buy a teepee. I had more fun in the Miata.

febc synthetic oil is less prone to breakdown under high heat conditions. It sounds as though you have a airflow thru the radiator problem. Have you cleaned the radiator fins and checked your cooling fan for proper operation? I would probably concentrate on that area instead of changing to a synthetic oil, the stuff is expensive and really not much better than regular oil, the key to a high mileage engine is proper maintenance, when you have a overheating problem you best repair it immediately, your engine will not last very long if overheats no matter what oil you run in it.

I would like to thank everyone for there thoughtful comments. Today another Senior Tech stopped by (the sales rep also a former tech arranged this for us) He walked in and immediately I envisioned Sherlock Holmes just by his demeanor. We went into the basement and unlike the previous 4 or 5 techs who spent hours on this rather then opening up the oil furnace He simply looked at the large pipe that extends from the furnace to the chimney. Then like Sherlock he rubbed his ring finger over it near the furnace. He smiled & said I know what the problem is. (I thought he was joking) After showing me a little dust. He pointed out a little discoloration on the pipe . He then said occasionally the heat is going in the wrong direction.. To prove this he connected a Draft Meter. When the system is on (flame on) its negative but when the fan goes on it is positive (looking for air) We went up stairs and once again he smiled. We have chairs and stuff in front of the outgoing vents and he moved them a few inches & then said problem solved. He said the newer powerful systems simply need to circulate more air. both in and out. We went back to the basement with his Draft Regulator and it tested perfect. IT only took this gentleman less then a minute to resolve a problem that we had since November or December -A problem that most of the other techs downplayed etc The chairs and stuff were there with the old less powerful furnace without any issues. . again thanks for your input.

I did purchase my new King mattress from the same local manufacturer that made my custom rv mattress. I love this company, I was able to tell him exactly how I wanted it to feel on top and how much support and firmness for the core. I did get the individual covered separate coils for less movement and the bamboo top fabric because I sleep hot and the bamboo fabric is great for me. It has the euro top instead of the pillow top the old one had. It is just beautiful too. I really debated if I should get a latex layer in the top, ended up not getting it, but if I was doing it again it would be worth the extra money. I love my latex pillows so much I think I would like the latex layer. I absolutely did not want any type of memory foam I can't stand it. I do have the option to let him take it back and add the latex layer still. Another great thing about this place! I have recommended them to several of our friends, especially those with an rv. And the prices are fantastic. So far I have not had any back pain like I was having from the old one. Super comfortable and extremely supportive. I especially wanted the heavy solid foam sides which will support you sitting on the edge or pushing on it getting up and out. I am a side sleeper and I tend to sleep on the edge of the bed, it supports me completely. I could jump on my side and never move my husband's side. The only thing that I wish was different is how much higher this one is. Thank goodness my sheets still fit. I have no idea if they ship out or not but I know they deliver all around the Houston area.