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Signed the contract tonight, car shows up at the house on Wednesday …
We’re getting a silver Mercury Mariner Premier. V6, AWD, upgraded stereo with bluetooth and sync, and leather. I could take or leave the leather, but it seems that it’ll cope better with stains and the wear we’ll put it through.
The new car gets better gas milage and is better appointed than the current vehicle, and is a bit cheaper.
Glad it is over.
We have test driven the last car, so I’ll have a new car in the next few weeks. It is time to start negotiating.
I am currently driving a Mazda Tribute, and am reasonably happy with it, so I’m only looking to incrementally upgrade. I want decent power and all wheel drive. I really, really want something better than an FM transmitter for playing my ipod.
Current thoughts, ranked by preference.
Top picks:
Mercury Mariner (V6, AWD, Power driver’s seat, SYNC). Currently the top pick. Good drivers seat, sufficient height and driver power. Also, there are mercury service centers within 10 minutes of the house. The nearest Mazda service center is 45 minutes away.
Mazda Tribute (S Touring, V6, AWD). A close second. More or less the same as the Mariner in terms of power, seat, and handling, No aux port for the ipod, though. Mariner is only slightly ahead because of the SYNC and proximity.
Second tier:
Mazda CX-7 (Sport, AWD). Part of the second tier. Decent drive. I like the crossover concept. This is one of the few crossovers in my price range.
Honda Element (EX). I like the driver’s seat, but wish it had more power and better breaks.
Ford Escape (XLT, V6, AWD, SYNC). Same class as the tribute and mariner, but I don’t like the driver’s seat quite as much as the other two.
Third tier:
Toyota RAV4 Limited (V6, AWD). Not bad, but not as high up as I lie and a little bit cramped
Off the list:
Hyundai Santa Fe and Tucson. Not bad, but the driver’s seat was way to cramped.
The Nissan Rogue and Dodge Nitro were on the list, but we didn’t get to them, and don’t really need to, we have enough cars in the first and second tiers.
I don’t speak out about politics, either here or in public. Most people who know me know my stances and leanings. However, I consciously try not to convince people that my leanings or stances are correct.
That said, we now live in a country where there is no question that a campaign oriented around a message of hope and change can win over a campaign of fear or hate. There is no question that someone who does not look like everyone else can be elected as president. There is no question that a woman can be a viable candidate for president.
My child will be born into a world where these things are known and accepted. That makes me happy, and is much more important than whether or not “my guy” or “my party” won right now.
Naming a colony “roanoke” is like naming a ship “titanic” or “hindenburg”. It isn’t that the name has any meaning, but it is just bad luck and asking for trouble …