Many of the things have been covered so I'll try to avoid duplicates. But another caution: $20 will buy jumper cables good for Texas or Arizona, but not for Minnesota or North Dakota. You'll spend 2-3 times that for a decent set worthy of carrying around here. Check the gauge of the wire and the clamps. Buy from a reputable place, not a discount department store, if you want a good set. Another caution is a cell phone is a good idea but will do you no good without power. Always buy a car adapter and keep it in the vehicle. "Emergency" cell phones, won't be maintained so they won't be charged. Without a charger you stand no chance of using it. Also, be sure to check coverage. Why get one that won't have coverage when you need it? Also, if you need to repair a hose, don't go for the duct tape right away. Electrical tape will seal the hole better. Duct tape won't. Wrap it well with electrical tape and *then* give a wrap of the silver miracle. The grey gold will keep the electrical tape in place better and seal itself better. I always used a coffee can and put a roll of toilet paper in a plastic bag, double bagged, actually. Also had some matches and some large heavy duty garbage bags. A garbage bag will be a one-size-fits-most for a rain poncho, and have numerous other uses. People who use eyeglasses should keep an extra pair in the vehicle, especially if your license requires you to wear them while driving. I always keep water in the vehicle. Sure it freezes in the winter but the small bottles thaw quickly. I also keep aspirin, antacids and the like so I don't have to buy them at outrageous prices if needed. I just take a small bottle and keep a few in there. A roll of paper towels cut in half fits nicely in a coffee can and gives you an alternative to the toilet paper and gives you some ready napkins and something to use to clean up those accidents. Put the garbage bags in there and I like a few wet wipes. Tow chain or a tow strap. Takes little room. Oh, I use the crank flashlights. No need to worry about batteries. I usually like to carry a gallon of window wash fluid (de-icer in the winter) and a gallon of antifreeze. If you break a hose you can get the radiator filled. Dump in the antifreeze and it can get you going to a place to add some water. Or if your near a water source, even a lake, stream or ditch, you have a container for the water. Clothes appropriate for the climate. And a comealong winch is a good idea too. Can extend the reach of the tow strap and you can winch yourself out of a bad spot. And I believe in keeping some cash, including change, in the vehicle. Pay phones used to be a big reason but that's more obsolete now but if you have to buy some gas, or bandages or something, you might find a few dollars handy. Nobody's saying you should carry everything everyone has suggested. Very few people would find a gas wrench useful - most wouldn't know how to use it. So you use it for ideas. Modify it. There is no all-inclusive list that will work for everyone. Some things you would take on a trip but not leave in there all the time. Some things should be in there. Minnesota requires you to carry proof of insurance. I keep one card in my wallet and one in the vehicle. Belt and suspenders I suppose. I still haven't gotten around to stocking my "new" vehicle yet. But probably have most of it in there. When the weather gets nicer I'll clean it out and check inventory against my checklist.

Funny this just came up. DH just bought a 2009 Miata with only 42k miles last week. He's been looking for one for a while and managed to find out about this one thru a friend. The guy was downsizing vehicles and decided to sell it. It's just to have for quick errands into town and fun day trips with some friends in the local Miata club. It didn't replace either of our current vehicles. I've only had family cars to drive and driven boyfriend's sports cars or muscle cars. Have owned everything from VW beetles to big Buick 425s. More recently I've bought German (BMW) and DH keeps us provided with a truck of some sort. He had a Shelby Camaro at one point years ago, BK (before kids). He wishes he still had it.

Catching up here. I’m so glad Rocky is better! What a scare you had. Faron, good to see your new car, and also nice to hear others are out trying and buying new ones. Must be in the air. I have had a touch of new car fever myself. Mine usually starts with noticing new models in the road, on-line searches and research, and trying to decide what I want next. I don’t ‘need’ a new car, but am trying to resolve whether I want to get a small SUV or crossover and trade in my sedan. Hard to figure out since DH has a 4WD king cab Tacoma truck and a couple of utility trailers anyway. So we don’t really need it for hauling anything except that I can cram a lot more plants and stuff in the back of an SUV than in a trunk. Plus I think they are cool. My car is so comfy and quiet on the road, and I want to make sure I get similar in whatever I get next.

A few years ago, a local fellow had a similar problem. He shopped at Walmart and when he came out, he could not find his truck although he did remember where he had parked it. He called the police to report it stolen. The police arrived to interview him and they suspected he was impaired, however, he gave an very good description of his truck . . . and then he saw his car and remembered that he had driven his car, not the pickup! By then, the Police was certain that he was impaired and proceeded with a field sobriety test - He failed. This gave them a legal reason to search his car. Thy found an open liquor bottle partly comsumed and drug paraphernalia plus additional drugs apparently for sale. He was taken straight to jail. Bummer. He got a pack of trouble for forgetting which vehicle he had driven. And to think, he had driven on the roads with other people - Shudder.