While I loved having that SUV, loved the leather seating, wood trim (my favorite on the steering wheel), dual climate control, seating for 7, lots of room to haul photography props, front and rear sensors so I don't hit anyone or anything, etc. etc... I won't miss the fact that I have to fill it up every week, and that it costs us an arm and a leg to do so.
We also loved the fact that it was paid for.
As we've been talking about what to get in place of the Lincoln we talked about getting a cross-over, maybe the new 2013 Mazda cx-5, that just barely came out. Then we talked about getting something smaller with better gas mileage.
Now, I'm a tall person - 6ft. I like to get in and out of cars easily. I have long legs and I really value my ample leg room. But funny enough, I didn't get much leg room in the Lincoln.
Anyway, I liked the idea of a cross over and Ryan liked the idea of something smaller.
So, we test drove the new Mazda cx-5 a few times. We really liked it. It gets around 21-28 mpg, better than the Lincoln.
We also test drove the 2012 Mazda 3 hatchback. Ryan really liked this one. I was getting used to it. It's smaller, but surprisingly has more leg room than the Lincoln, a plus! Also it gets up to 40mpg - a BIG PLUS!
For a few weeks after we test drove those two cars we debated which one was better and would be better for us. I wanted the CX-5 because it had more room to haul things, but also was easier to get in and out of. However, I sure did like the idea of having better gas mileage.
Saturday we went back to the Orem Mazda Dealership, and by the way, if anyone is looking at getting a car, go to this dealership and ask for Ray. He was amazing, non-pushy, and so, so very helpful!! I recommend them over any other big dealership.
Back to Saturday.
We found Ray and told him we wanted to test drive both the CX-5 and the Mazda 3 hatchback again.
While driving the cx-5 I had a sick feeling in my gut. I knew this wasn't the car for us right now. We drove the smaller Mazda 3 hatchback. I felt happy. Like really happy. This was the car for us, for now.
So why would I get something smaller, me being tall, and as a photographer that needs to have room to haul things like chairs?
Well, a couple of things...
1. it's a hatchback - there's plenty of room to still haul things when I need to. I just put the back seats down and voila!
2. the 40mpg really sold me. With the way the gas is climbing these days, I'd rather have better gas mileage than luxury. And again, I can totally stretch out my legs while driving it - love that.
3. It's a cute car! Not one that I would normally pick, but I feel so good about that mpg that I can't think of anything better.
4. As much as I want an SUV, we don't need it right now, and I have to remember that we're being practical and I'm just fine with that.
5. Someday when we have kids we'll get something bigger. But right now this is perfection.
I'm happy. I'm happy with this car. I'm happy with the decision Ryan and I made to get rid of the Lincoln. I'm HAPPY about the mpg. So very happy! :)
So long Aviator. Hello Mazda 3.
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