A $5,000 car could be a wise option

Put your vanity aside and consider recession-proof transportation: a $5,000 car.

MSN Money wrote about this in the spring, and the more I think about it, the better it gets.

Sure, you might have to get used to your friends’ blank stares or raised eyebrows. But isn’t saving money supposed to be in style these days?

The premise is taking advantage of the technological improvements in cars that historically tapped out at 100,000 miles, but now easily approach 200,000. Especially with regular oil changes and other basic maintenance.

As long as you don’t have a hefty commute, and the car is close to 100,000 miles, it should last at least five years. Think of the savings you would enjoy.

Most car payments are in the $300 range for a mid-sized sedan or small SUV. Instead of applying that $5,000 toward a down payment, and then have to deal with 36-60 monthly payments, put that money in a savings account. Over three years, that’s at least $10,800 before interest.

Among the other areas to save:
- Sales tax
- Insurance
- Registration

Of course this scenario is not for most people. You’d have to not only know a mechanic, but have a good relationship with yours, unless you are confident to maintain the car yourself. Be diligent on maintenance and keep organized records. Before you buy, research the owner and car history thoroughly.

If you think it’s difficult to find a car in this price range, like I did initially, consider all of the places you could find one. A church bulletin board. The local pizza place. A corner convenience store. And one of the most popular places for salvaging great deals: an estate sale.

For examples of actual cars, check out this list from Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports’ top picks, $4,000-$6,000

2001 Acura CL
2002-03 Mitsubishi Lancer
2001 Acura Integra
2000 Nissan Frontier (2WD)
2000 Acura RL
2002 Nissan Xterra
2000 Acura TL
2003 Pontiac Vibe
2004 Buick Century
2003 Subaru Impreza wagon
2003 Buick Regal
2000 Toyota Avalon
2003-05 Hyundai Sonata
2000-01 Toyota Camry
2000, 2002 Infiniti G20
2000-02 Toyota Solara
2000 Infiniti I30
2000 Toyota Celica
2001-02 Lincoln Continental
2002 Toyota Corolla
2000-01 Mazda B-Series (2WD)
2003-05 Toyota Echo
2002 Mazda Protégé
2001-02 Toyota Prius
2000-02 Mercury Grand Marquis
2000-01 Toyota Sienna
2004 Mercury Sable
2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Vandy's Johnson made right decision

Bobby Johnson’s sudden resignation or retirement, depending on your viewpoint, has caused plenty of questions about the Vanderbilt football coach’s real motive. Was there something behind stepping down three weeks before the season? Does he have a health problem? Was he trying to set up his assistant, Robbie Caldwell, to get the job?

There are two reasons that have been mentioned as Johnson’s motivation that I believe: he gave up fighting the academic battle, and he was simply tired.
You might call him a quitter. Or think there could have been a better time to announce a retirement. But the dog days of summer is fine with me. Even one of the more preferred times of year.

When else would you do it? December? I don’t think so. Think how that would leave your successor, likely an assistant promoted into an interim role?

Recruiting, with a month to go until National Signing Day, would take a big blow. Whatever momentum you could gain from a bowl game would be gone. And it would be impossible to avoid the argument that you checked out midway through the season.

The losing battle of competing in the SEC, and maintaining the high academic standard at the so-called Ivy League of the South makes it one of the toughest jobs in the country.

If you win big, that’s fantastic, but you wouldn’t be recognized nearly as much within the university – which doesn’t have a traditional athletics department anymore - as you would at other schools. If you’re .500 or worse, well, you’re Vandy, so enjoy being most teams Homecoming opponent. Not to mention it’s virtually impossible to finish about third in your own division in the SEC.

So give Johnson credit for recognizing there are more important things in life than spending countless hours draining your health away from your family. He’s made enough money, and could work as a consultant, or TV/radio guest to stay involved.

At 60, Johnson made the right decision before it was too late. And he’s about the only coach around that has made the right call.

The Decision: Top 10 reasons ESPN outdid its own over-the-top precedent

Forget LeBron announcing his choice to play for the Miami Heat this season. This made-for-TV ESPN "special" had all the typical Worldwide Leader ingredients of hyperbole, recycled breaking news and overheated egos.

10. Stuart Scott opens with this show-stopper: "The focus of the sports world is on LeBron tonight." It wasn't quite as bad as Adam Schefter's tweet earlier in the week about this being a remember-where-you-were-moment, but it was classic Scott, who has way more style than substance. And he doesn't even have that much style.

9. Announcer voice, sounding like a Dollar Store James Earl Jones: "With breathless anticipation..." Not really. Most fans, especially non-sports/NBA fans have been waiting for this saga to end. Yesterday. Sure, it might have succeeded in the individualized NBA marketing plan, but it wore out its welcome weeks ago.

8. Scott asks NBA Insider Chris Broussard for the latest news on the situation. That's the first punch line of the show, given that some combination of LeBron's people and freelance interviewer Jim Gray hatched this made-for-TV idea weeks ago. Broussard spews the recycled news that he reported nearly 24 hours ago, that the Heat appear to be the team James is leaning toward. Say what you want about the WWL, but one of its best traits is presenting old news as if it's fresh.

7. Scott then mentions that the network has "blanket coverage" of the "event," which it should given the organization and agreement from Gray and Leon Rose, James' agent. Awful pat on the back for something that was handed to you.

6. In perhaps the biggest reach of the event, Jon Barry, a studio analyst and former player, makes a reference to the early 1980s comedy, Trading Places, starring Paul Gleason as Clarence Beeks. As the only former player on the set, it's laughable that Barry used a line he recycled at least twice on radio interviews earlier in the day. It's something Dennis Miller or Tony Kornheiser might've said from the Monday Night Football booth.

5. Was it really necessary to show old highlights of the Olympic team, or LeBron's McDonald's All-American game? Like we haven't seen this guy dunk before?

4. Speaking of dunks, a fun drinking game could have been to drink every time ESPN showed a dunk highlight. Fun, or dangerous, whichever came first.

3. Incidentally, does anybody know what Kobe, you know, the guy with five rings, thought of this made-for-TV event?

2. And of course, it wouldn't be an ego-driven, sponsor-controlled spectacle, without a use of the third-person. When asked by Michael Wilbon about his reaction to Cavaliers' fans burning his jersey in the streets, LeBron said, "I can't get involved in that. I had to do what was best for LeBron James." Somewhere, Rickey Henderson is proud.

1. Finally, does anybody remember the old Nike "Witness" campaign? Guess it worked. We can mock this show all we want, but just wait for the ratings.

Why Strasburg should be in the All-Star game

Major League Baseball has an opportunity this month to parlay some built-in star power and extend the excitement of Stephen Strasburg’s rookie season.

Two losses, including Monday’s poor 7th inning, aside, the Washington Nationals' phenom should be on the National League roster for the All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif.

The traditional format of an all-star game makes it easy for Charlie Manuel of the Phillies to select Strasburg. Most pitchers go one inning – so the Nationals shouldn’t have to worry about a pitch count – and the overriding reason for the exhibition in the first place is it’s a treat for the fans.

Speaking of the fans, check the turnstile at Monday's game in Atlanta for Exhibit A of how much fans care. In the days between Strasburg's last start and Monday, the Braves sold more than 21,000 tickets, and nearly 10,000 on Monday alone. It's not like this was Chicago or Philadelphia. Atlanta is arguable the most apathetic sports town in the country, especially on a non-holiday Monday. But they showed up for the Strasburg sensation.

His numbers are historic. In his first four starts, he broke a 55-year strikeout record when he recorded 41 strikeouts.

That came after he fanned 32 in his first three starts, the most since J.R. Richard struck out 29 in 1971.

He has superstar power rarely seen in baseball. As Mark Bradley wrote in the AJC, it's usually seen in the NBA.

Don't give me the tired, old man argument of "paying dues" or he hasn't been in the majors long enough. If you're all-star caliber and the fans want you there, you should be there. There should be 15 pitchers on the roster. Not only is Strasburg among the top 15, he’s probably in the top five.

Strasburg's stats further help the argument. Despite virtually no run support in two losses, Strasburg has struck out 48, walked seven in 31 2/3 innings. How is he not among the best 10-12 pitchers in the National League? Before Strasburg's debut, Curt Shilling said he might be the best pitcher in the league, and not many have argued against that in his first five starts.

The National League’s 13-game losing streak in the All-Star game should be more of a reason to select him.

Major League Baseball has fallen behind the NFL and NBA in the way it markets its superstars. Well, this is its best young superstar in at least 30 years, and to grow the game and bring in both the traditional and casual fan, MLB needs Strasburg in the Midsummer Classic.

Especially because home field advantage is at stake, the NL has a better chance of winning if he’s on the mound. He should be there, regardless of his age or experience.

CNN has tough choice to replace cable pioneer

A television pioneer will step down soon when Larry King ends his program as a five-show per week stalwart on cable news.

Like most CNN programs, Larry King Live has lost half of its audience in the last year. Mostly, CNN has fallen behind FOX News and MSNBC because it's maintained a straight news approach while the other networks have flourished with extreme opinions.

FOX and MSNBC have drawn viewers on both sides by energizing their constituents and enraging opponents.

King, along with Ted Turner, is credited with introducing the cable news format as we know it today. And in the day and age of axing shows after weeks because of poor ratings, King has endured 25 years. He's interviewed comedians, actors, athletes and politicians with knowledgeable and informed questions. It's a niche framed in King's versatility and raspy, baritone voice with the familiar, “Cleveland, Ohio, Hello.”

What CNN must do is change formats and hire a young host that would attract the coveted 20- and 30-something demographic.

Piers Morgan, Ryan Seacrest and Joy Behar are the most common replacement possibilities. Morgan, a 45-year-old British TV personality known mostly as a judge on "America's Got Talent." and Seacrest, 35, the emcee of American Idol and a Hollywood red carpet interviewer, are unproven outside of fashion and entertainment. And Behar, while she’s filled in for King, might find it difficult to establish herself with a primetime audience. Sure, she might have a show on Headline News, and of course is a mainstay on The View, but I wonder which demographic CNN goes after if it puts Behar in that time slot. Especially since her current show on HLN is “gossip news and commentary.”

Morgan and Seacrest, while they each have had their fair share of success, haven’t proven themselves with an hour show that would seem to have a large portion of current news events.

If I were the big wigs at CNN, I would hire Seacrest and try to play to the younger crowd, possibly with a combination of social media and user-generated content. A slice of the King format would work, but only as part of the show, certainly not the entire hour.

Regardless of who’s picked, look for the reports with unnamed sources and other leaks to trickle out the rest of the summer. And don’t be surprised if the CNN suits don’t officially announce a successor until King has been showered with plenty of accolades.

Athleticism aside, cheerleading is not a sport

The age-old argument of whether cheerleading is a sport was raised today by the opening arguments of a case in Bridgeport, Conn. where a judge will decide.

The problem was that the volleyball program at Quinnipiac University was cut in favor of cheerleading because of the cost and number of athletes impacted more students. Of course I’m not even considering the type of cheerleading that takes place on the sidelines of basketball and football games. That’s little more than rhythmic clapping.

I’ve never argued whether cheerleading, or gymnastics, is a form of athleticism. You only have to watch for a couple of minutes to determine that the backflips, jumps and twists require loads of athleticism and talent. The problem is the scoring system. Just like figure skating and skiing, to name a couple, the winner of a competition cannot be determined without an outside, and subjective, judge.

For example, two teams of sports that require goals or bases can play by themselves without a referee, umpire or official and still reach a conclusion. Cheerleading, figure skating and skiing can’t do that. That’s why cheerleading isn’t a sport. If somebody came up with some kind of unbiased scoring system, we’ll revisit it.

Because Quinnipiac receives federal funding, it is required to abide by Title IX, and therefore budgets and the number of athletes are compared with male sports. The decision that the judge makes is how to interpret a law that was passed in 1972, especially considering the advancements in cheerleading in the last 38 years.

The school’s argument is cheerleading is a competitive, athletic activity that creates more opportunities for women than volleyball, ABC News reported. It says it has adequately complied with the law.

"The university believes that it has complied with all aspects of Title IX legislation and will continue to do so. Given that this is a matter awaiting adjudication, we will not comment further," said Lynn Bushnell, vice president for public affairs, in a statement reported by ABC News.

This could easily turn into a case of sexism. I can’t see a similar situation involving male sports, especially a male cheerleading squad.

Most cheerleading supporters reach for the argument of training time and dedication. They belabor the point about endless hours of practice, strength training and fitness to throw each other, and tumble through the air. But just because a football, basketball or baseball player can’t do a back flip or somersault doesn’t somehow enhance the athleticism of cheerleading.

But if you say cheerleading is a sport, where do you draw the line after that? Is ballroom dancing a sport? Considering the hours of choreography and practice needed to compete in Dancing With the Stars, for example, you could make that argument.

Haynesworth uses rare argument in holdout

Albert Haynesworth’s refusal to attend any of the Washington Redskins’ mandatory team activities flies in the face of the conventional professional athlete’s monetary dispute with a franchise. Usually, a player has had a breakout season, and believes he is now underpaid for his position, then refuses to play until a new contract arrives. Haynesworth, though, signed the richest deal in the history of defensive players in the NFL, and recently was awarded a $21 million bonus.

But because he doesn’t agree with the coaching staff and front office’s view point on his position and contributions to the team, he’s refusing to show up. Some might say because of a coaching and general manager change, Haynesworth should get the benefit of the doubt because he was promised something by the previous regime, and now those promises are obsolete. But in this day and age of countless clauses in contracts, his agent should have had it in writing that he could only play a certain position in a specific scheme. Obviously that conflicts with a coach or defensive coordinator’s belief that a player could be open to fit the needs of the team. The situation stemmed from awarding that huge contract to a noted head case, who had attitude and weight problems with the Titans.

Applaud Izzo for sticking to his roots

Tom Izzo’s decision to remain with Michigan State is contradictory to what many coaches and players have done recently in pro sports. Instead of cashing a big(er) payday, with at least an outside chance of coaching LeBron James, Izzo stuck to his state roots and the program he’s led to six Final Fours. The Detroit Free Press said Izzo's decision was a win for the state.

“For a state that has lost so much and so many in recent years," the staff wrote in an editorial, "it's a blessed relief to win one. Even some fans at rival University of Michigan had to smile for the home state, even if Izzo's teams have generally been masters of the Maize and Blue during his 15 seasons as head coach of the Spartans.
With 13 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament, six trips to the Final Four and one national championship, Izzo is among the best -- many would say is the best -- at what he does. He has no worlds left to conquer at the college level.”

In interviews after he announced the decision, Izzo also admitted to flirting with the job because of the money, which is something coaches rarely say. Izzo has always been easy to root for and, even with his consistent success, has stayed clear of the NCAA infractions police. In the same week that college football revealed its dark (money) side, it’s nice to see one of the best active college basketball coaches remain with a blue chip program.

Keep the Vuvuzelas

The first few days of the World Cup were met with plenty of chatter about a constant buzzing sound in the background of television broadcasts. Many compared it to the sound of a swarm of bees. The source was a Vuvuzella , an African horn, which is a traditional instrument at soccer games there. Thousands of fans blow them constantly to create a festive atmosphere. Many people around the world asked for a ban, or at least complained to the television networks to muffle the audio feed.
The problem with that is it takes away from the local traditions and atmosphere. Wanting Vuvuzellas limited or banned would be the equivalent of outlawing the Seventh Inning Stretch, or even tailgating. Could you imagine baseball and football without those age-old traditions? So realize that the South Africans and other soccer fans around the world deserve to have their own customs. We should embrace something new like this, and not quickly look to tailor it to what we’re used to.

Wooden and Strasburg offer some perspective

In the last week, we’ve recalled the unparalleled career of John Wooden with all of his wisdom-drenched quotes, and then given tremendous hope for baseball in Washington D.C., which has starved for this kind of baseball success in the form of Stephen Strasburg for more than 30 years. It's been an end of an era, and the beginning of another, within days.

Wooden's graciousness was highlighted when he welcomed nearly every autograph seeker, and continued to write love letters to his wife decades after she passed away. While his 88-game winning streak and 10 National Championships are eye-popping, it’s his humble and soft-spoken personality that resonates today.

Perhaps because it’s so rare.

With 14 strikeouts in seven innings, Strasburg lived up to the impossible hype of today's social media and 24-hour news cycle culture where everything is magnified.

In a time where there is incredible divide and conflict in news and politics, it's refreshing, once again, to be reminded that sports is the place to go for hope, wisdom and perspective. It's lessons on how to handle yourself with all of life's adversity and ups and downs. Through it all, we are reminded that simplicity and focus are most important. If you listen to Wooden's wisdom, you make it routine to help someone every day, to make your small slice of the world a better place.

“You can’t live a perfect day,” Wooden once said, “without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

It’s important to note that in the age of multi-million dollar contracts for college and pro coaches and players, one of the top five coaches of all-time, in any sport, made less than $40,000 per year in the peak of his career.

If you observed Strasburg, who by the way signed for $15.1 million last summer, I hope you took away his sharp focus to simply do his job, while using a rare combination of God-given ability and work ethic. That in front of more than 40,000 fans in the stands, and millions more on TV and radio, he kept the blinders on.

It’s nearly impossible to live up to the pre-game hype, and only the 2006 Texas-USC National Championship, and the sustained careers of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady come close to doing so in recent memory. But Strasburg exceeded the hype in a revolutionary way.

Given the passing of one great contributor to sports and life lessons, and the hope and optimism of the dawning of a new superstar, stop and realize the era that we live in and how these types of things rarely come along in a week’s time.

Will Spanx for men really catch on?

For generations, women have used various garments to augment and conceal their physical strengths and weaknesses. Panty hose, push-up bras and body shapers to just name a few.

Now, the fashion industry has tapped the male market share as increasing numbers of men have become a little vainer recently.

Spanx, which was awarded a patent for panty hose in 1998, has largely kept its attention on female garments, from underwear, to tights, to swimming suits. But The New York Times recently reported that shaping products for men have hit store shelves and have enjoyed skyrocketing sales.

“We are selling them as quickly as Spanx can make them,” the Times’ quoted Nickelson Wooster, the men’s fashion director at Neiman Marcus as saying.

Neiman Marcus was the only department store to carry Spanx, until last month when it was sold at Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.

While the main men’s products are T-shirts and golf shirts, Spanx also sells a more discreet product: “profile-enhancing underwear, which has been called 'the equivalent of a push-up bra' for men."

Before you dismiss these products as a dent to your ego, men, you should embrace technology much like our female counterparts have done for more than a century. Plus, Spanx could help on job interviews for an extra boost of confidence.

As the Times’ article suggests, men should use the Spanx products as an extension of the metrosexual look much like moisturizing lotion was 10 years ago.

The obvious problem with Spanx is trying to make a good first impression, particularly with the opposite sex. Things go well, and all of a sudden, when the form-fitting shirt is on the floor, the bulges you tried to hide have spilled out to their old places.

What would you do if you had a new boyfriend and when the lights are dimmed, he looks like Paunchy or Lumpy, a finalist for the Seven Dwarves? Should you take the advice of some women, who say just change in the other room?

Will women be OK with their man wearing Spanx, or will they expect him to hit the treadmill more often to prevent the soft belly?

Me? I’d work on the spare tire mid-section as much as possible, and take solace in the fact that your significant other probably has some kind of performance enhancer themselves. So relax, and enjoy each other’s love handles.

NBA Finals preview, prediction: Can Celtics overcome Kobe, Phil a second time?

Arguably the most recognizable NBA Finals matchup, the Celtics vs. Lakers, begins again tomorrow in the City of Angels. The teams are meeting for the 12th time in the Finals with the Celtics owning a 9-2 edge. These two franchises have won the most championships in NBA history, with the Celtics owning 17 to the Lakers’ 15.

As Bob Ryan wrote in The Boston Globe, “The Celtics and Lakers already have met more times to decide a major American sports championship than any two clubs have in any of our four major team sports.”

While you might say that Phil Jackson gets the easy nod in the coaching column, remember Doc Rivers was the coach two years ago when the Celtics beat the Lakers. The better question might be will Paul Pierce turn in the same kind of performance that helped him win MVP honors?

To do that, he’s going to have to at least neutralize an in-the-groove Kobe Bryant.

It was Bryant who made two unbelievable shots in the clinching game against Phoenix around and over a double team that included tough defense from Grant Hill.
While you obviously need a quality supporting cast to reach the Finals, superstars are the ones who separate themselves and earn the hardware.

So make no mistake, while the Celtics have more of the better players among the 10 in the starting lineups, the Celtics don’t have a player on par with Kobe Bryant. The difference the last time, though, was the Celtics’ physical play against the likes of big men Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.

Jackson has already launched one of his patented pre-series comments about the opposing team’s best player (Kevin Garnett, in Jackson’s mind) in hopes of planting a seed in the referees’ minds.

Kobe aside, the most important player in this series could be Rajon Rondo, who played arguably the best stretch of his career in the beginning of the Eastern Conference Finals as Boston coasted to a 3-0 series lead. Rondo gives the Lakers, like many opponents, matchup problems. Will they leave Derek Fisher on him and risk a lot of dribble penetration? Or will they take Ron Artest and hope to rough him up a bit?

Artest is the only player in either starting lineup who wasn’t in the 2008 series. He was signed, instead of Trevor Ariza, for matchups like this one against Pierce.

It’s these kinds of matchups that always decide the Finals, the time when even the casual sports fans tunes in.

While it’s difficult to go against Kobe and Phil, put me in the corner that will take the Celtics in seven games. They’re more physical, Rondo will be too much for Fisher, and Pierce will have just enough to cancel out Kobe.

The teams will split the first two games in L.A., then Boston will get two more at home in the middle of the series, and wrap it up on the road in Game 6.