Is buying a used VW (or Audi) really that bad of an idea? [more inside]
posted by Venadium at 6:21 AM - 24 answers

So I was in a motorcycle accident a month and a half ago when an inattentive driver caused me to get into a single-vehicle accident. Because that driver did not stop, my insurance company covered me under uninsured motorist coverage. The company, Progressive, has been great about everything so far, but now they want to cover the "pain and suffering" portion of the claim. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to proceed and would appreciate guidance from people who have been through this sort of thing. [more inside]
posted by anonymous at 6:06 AM - 8 answers

I'm going to have access to a car for 24 hours starting this Sunday afternoon, and I'd like to get away from city and suburban lights that night to (hopefully, clouds permitting) see some undiluted night sky. Any recommendations for safe places to do that near the NoVA/Washington DC area? [more inside]
posted by doctornecessiter around Washington, DC at 5:50 AM - 7 answers

I'm going to be an aunt, and I'm super excited. But I have some logistical questions about being part of the kid's life when I actually don't even live in the same country. How can I see the baby regularly (1) without spending a whole lot of money and (2) without imposing overly on its family? [more inside]
posted by sockandawe at 3:02 AM - 18 answers

So, spouse and I snagged an invitation to the "Man of Steel" premier (at Lincoln Center) and after-party in New York. But, I've never been to New York and don't have a clue about the place. I have a couple of questions. I've tentatively booked a room at the Empire Hotel (price and location, along with reviews seemed reasonable), my question for you folks is: Is there a compelling reason why I SHOULDN'T stay there? And, if the answer to that is "Do Not Stay There!!!", what other options are there (close to Lincoln Center, room cost $300 per night or less)? The second half of the question is: I'll have from Saturday evening (June 8th) until later afternoon on Monday to experience New York... What should we do?
posted by HuronBob around New York, NY at 6:35 PM - 8 answers

My girlfriend and I will be visiting San Jose, CA this weekend to go to a convention at the main convention center downtown. I'm looking for places on AirBnB.com. I don't know San Jose at all. I'm wondering what would be good neighborhoods to stay in. (Sorry for the abbreviated question title -- the length limit forced me to be terse.) [more inside]
posted by trevor_case around San Jose, CA at 2:35 PM - 8 answers

I just got a used bike trailer (a Burly, thanks for the advice mefi) and now I am wondering how I am going to lock it up and what the best practices are for parking it. I imagine as much as possible, I'll try to get it out of the way, but I will be locking it in all kind of situations. Best locks? Thx
posted by Duffington at 1:10 PM - 4 answers

Thanks to AskMefi, we have figured out we can get from Boston to the Cape Ann area by commuter rail. What I can't determine for certain is if we will want a car when we get there. [more inside]
posted by domino around Boston, MA at 12:57 PM - 9 answers

Looking for a hotel in the Washington DC area. There are, of course, a lot of special snowflake requirements. [more inside]
posted by Andrhia around Washington, DC at 11:19 AM - 17 answers

Seeking suggestions for non-perishable foodstuffs to feed a toddler while flying cross country. [more inside]
posted by gnutron at 9:16 AM - 22 answers

How do I go about finding a plane crash that took place involving a small engine plane, in which 3-5 people died, in a specific US city at the intersection of a major road and interstate highway, that took place in a span of time I can narrow down to within six months or a year (about 25 years ago)? [more inside]
posted by tilde around United States at 5:26 AM - 6 answers

I would like to see Tokyo, Kyoto, Miyajima, Hiroshima and Naoshima in the space of 10 days. What should I see? Is this possible? and if not, all advice welcome! Details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by idlethink around Japan at 3:03 PM - 17 answers

I've wanted to go to Tokyo all my life, and have a few weeks off soon. I've been looking for flights and the cheapest I can find are $1450 all in... but I suspect if I the trip was broken up a bit by not flying there directly, it'd be a lot cheaper. Are there any resources you know of to help with this/have you done this before/do you know a good route that would shave off the $$$? Time isn't overly important as I have three weeks between jobs for exploring. But I don't want to be paying this off till next year. Help!
posted by abbagoochie around Tokyo, Japan at 3:02 PM - 5 answers

My current lease ends on June 30, but my new lease does not begin until July 5. We've talked with both current and new landlords, but neither are able to help us out by allowing us to stay late/move in early. What are some creative solutions to this problem? [more inside]
posted by RUPure at 1:38 PM - 24 answers

I'm spending my 40th birthday in Paris (early August). I want to have a memorable evening with my husband. Help me pick a fabulous restaurant, a great place for a dessert (either at the same restaurant or elsewhere) and an activity. [more inside]
posted by bodgy around Paris, France at 10:50 AM - 13 answers

I haven't owned a car since 2010, but now it seems like going back to a two-car household might be a good idea. My wife drives a 2004 Volvo S40 daily to work. She often gets home very late on weekdays, and usually takes it to meet her cycling group for the better part of a day on Saturday or Sunday, and I have started to feel like I'm too reliant on her schedule or my friends to get to weekend activities, or to duck out to get another few bags of mulch or can of paint, etc. [more inside]
posted by Kwine at 9:36 AM - 20 answers

The Aseno family is planning to go to Singapore few days after this year's Eid (end of Ramadan). We know in other muslim countries, Eid celebration can last up for up to a week afterwards. Businesses (read: attractions and great food joints) usually take long vacations before they open again on regular hours. We're not planning to go touristy, but instead want to absorb local life style, eat and go where locals go. So, citizens of Metafilter, is it wise to travel to Singapore close to Eid, given our objectives, or should we wait another week or two until it's normal again? Or, if I may switch my perspective, are there anything that is worth traveling to Singapore during/near Eid?
posted by aseno around Singapore at 9:16 AM - 4 answers

We're looking for a 5-7 day surf school to give my sister as a graduation (from grad school) gift. She's fluent in Spanish, and doesn't need anything super luxury, just good instruction, good break, good vibes. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by copacetic around Costa Rica at 9:14 AM - 2 answers

A couple of weeks ago, I bought a new Subaru Impreza, which I drive for 45 minutes twice a day. Now I'm developing pain in my right hip, and I suspect there's a connection, or something I'm doing wrong, posture-wise. [more inside]
posted by dywypi at 8:45 AM - 13 answers

We are moving to Germany. I have to fly* but my husband is driving, from the UK to Germany. Our removalists will pack nothing perishable, including food in sealed containers, liquid toilettries etc. Can we just take them in the car? [more inside]
posted by Megami around New York, NY at 12:40 AM - 10 answers