"Garage Mahals" getting out of hand

The New York Times gives face time to some filthy rich Bakersfield, CA residents with garages up to a third as large as their homes. For instance: Brad Barnes has a 1,700 square foot garage attached to his custom home that protects five cars, five motorcycles, and a go-cart. He claims, "If I had it to do again, I'd do 12— I'd go double-deep." Down the road from Mr. Barnes is Dennis Bernard, who has three separate two-car garages, one for himself, one for his wife, and one for his son, each complete with carpeting, cable TV and bathrooms. The percentage of homes with expansive garages is rising— 33 percent of garages built in 2003 fit three or more vehicles. Mr. Bernard sums it up nicely: "It's like the old saying: the guy who dies with the most toys wins."