When I first arrived in Mazatlan in the 1990’s, I thought I had stumbled upon the mythical, legendary Mopar Graveyard, that fabled haunted place where vintage Plymouth Valiants and Dodge Darts go to rust away for all eternity. Most of the cars on the roads downtown would not have been street legal or socially acceptable in Smalltown USA, but they were still running which seemed to be all that mattered. Since then, not only has the sheer number of cars doubled, or maybe tripled, but now you see more shiny late model cars than old beaters. This is a dreadful development and please let me explain why. First of all, the roads can’t keep up with the traffic if everybody has a car or two. Then there’s the smog factor. And of course if fewer people use the excellent bus and taxi services, their business will suffer and they will have to make cutbacks. And worst of all, if more and more saps buy/lease/rent to own those brand new gleaming dream machines, it will become obligatory for everyone. Just like back home in the USA, you won’t be able to get a job or a date without a car, and not some 71 Fury with balding tires, I mean a car that costs three months salary every year just in interest payments. Take my neighbors across the road for example. They live in a lovely brick house which because of its remote and unsavory location is probably only worth ten thousand dollars. They have outdoor plumbing, and they sell homemade popsicles to help with the bills. They have in the last few years acquired two late model vehicles, each of which is easily worth more than their home. This is of course their own personal decision which I will not comment upon further except to say that I am suddenly finding myself pressured by certain members of my wife’s clan, led by her, to keep up with the Osunas and buy a car. Don’t get me wrong, I love cars. I still have recurring dreams about my old 59 Chevy. And I’m a