"What does it take to get a guy like you into a car like this today?"

PHOENIX--Garth is now the owner of Ford Fusion. "I hope Brad Paisley and George Strait are not mad that I went to Ford Country this time around," commented Garth. Traditionally he has had GM vehicles including a Grand Am and Sierra trucks.

The Fusion is a pre-owned 2008 model with low mileage. It is a 4-liter engine with enough get up and go to bypass all the junkers crusing at 45mph on the 51 Hwy, while still being fuel efficient. It's a four-door model with a 5-speed manual transmission. Most importantly, it has one CD but for some reason is not able to play any classical or jazz music. "I'll have to take it in sometime and get that checked out, but it's not high on my priorities," said Garth. Until then, he plans on listening to country music, talk radio (but not Dr. Laura), and other music genres.

The car is a welcome change from the Sierra, which easily cost $80-100 in gas on a weekly basis. The Fusion's tank lasts well over a week. And it just happens to be the same color as the previous Sierra.

"The horn is excellent and I've already put it to good use driving south on 7th Street," said Garth during our interview.