My only important mission this vacation was to replace my spunky little Toyota Yaris, which my family called nimble until I couldn't steer it out of the way of a minivan.

I picked the Yaris a year ago after researching dozens of cars, trying to figure out the best fit for my family and bud-get. It fit four comfortably enough, and when circumstances changed, it turned out it fit three even better.

Unfortunately, while I used to think of it as the little car that could, it turned out to be the little car that couldn't hold together during a low-speed impact.

Consequently, I found myself on my first real day of vacation browsing cars on the Internet, then test driving some of them at a dealership.

My 4-year-old came with me. She didn't like the Civic hybrid, which handled beautifully even with almost 100,000 miles on it. I would have never bought a car with that kind of mileage, but boasting 51 miles per gallon, I couldn't resist testing it out.

Car 2 was the one my daughter wanted, a bright red Cavalier with a spoiler, and more importantly, balloons tied to it to catch attention.

When I told my friends what I did buy, many were cautious in their response. Others just burst out laughing.

I'm now the owner of a 2006 PT Cruiser.

While my daughter was disappointed that I didn't go for the electric blue touring model, I was going as sedate as I could, considering I was buying a 2-year-old wannabe retro car that was a far cry from the traditional sedans and wagons I'd gone out in search of.

My son, on the other hand, digs it. At the end of the day, that's what counts. That, and the fact that it feels roomy and sturdy, both important after I learned that the engine in my Yaris got pushed back and could have taken someone's legs off.

Shopping as a mom, I knew I had to get something that would make me feel less vulnerable out on the road. I wanted a hood I could see while I was driving. I may have had to buy a goofy-looking car to achieve this sense of safety, but I'm unbelievably happy to be driving it.

Now I just need to paint it purple with orange flames shooting up the sides.

KIDDING!

AS AN ASIDE ...

While I was looking for a new car, I borrowed a friend's pickup truck. On the morning I was to return it, I filled the gas tank and got it washed — small thanks for a huge favor — and one that made me a half-hour late to pick my friend up for a breakfast of gratitude.

After breakfast, I dropped my friend at her truck and started to turn around to park in back of her. As I turned, she signaled me and said the car wouldn't start.

It had been less than three hours since I had taken it out, and a million thoughts rushed through my head. Had I accidentally turned the lights on and forgotten about them? Did I not close the gas tank properly and mix water with gas? Was I a jinx?

Attempting to jump it didn't do anything, so eventually, she called for a tow truck.

Anyone who has to see two tow trucks in two weeks on two different vehicles should question their driving skills.

As the tow truck left, I retrieved my kids so that I could bring my friend to the service station, then home.

Turns out, in my rush to make it to breakfast at some not-so-ridiculously late hour, I'd jumped out of the truck so fast it pushed the floor mat up so high that my friend couldn't fully engage the clutch. (And no, neither of us thought to check).

I've never been so relieved in my life.

Treena Shapiro is a busy reporter, and mom to a son and daughter. Read her blog at http://blogs.honoluluadvertiser.com.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.