[NSR] ...I can still hang with the cool kids, right?

[LunaP]

I know, I know... it's not a scooter

But I have to admit that I'm kinda loving it. It's a 2013 Mazda Cx-5, which they call a 'Compact Crossover'.

Mum and I had test-driven almost every brand I was willing to buy from (Honda, Nissan, Ford, Toyota, Subaru, Hyundai, Scion...) and I was pretty set on either a Toyota Venza or one of the Subaru Crossovers. That day we were planning on hitting Chevy, Pontiac and Mazda, just to be able to say that I test drove everything... I didn't know much about Mazda's current models and had no plans to buy one, and was very skeptical when the salesman started going on his shpiel...

But it really has a who bunch of extra above-and-beyond kind of things that make you go "Whoa...". My brakes and AWD think. I have a blind spot sensor. My headlights turn into curves. But the two most important things were A) unlike everything else I test drove, it didn't feel like an SUV, it felt like a car. It doesn't make me nervous to drive this, even though I'm used to small cars. B) the emergency brake is a hand brake... way too many of the SUVs I tested had left-foot levers for the emergency brake, which I can't exactly work.

I took it home last Friday, which happened to be 8 months (and one day, to be precise) from the day of my accident. I've had it for almost a week, and I'm not having any regrets, and even better, I haven't turned into a big messy ball of anxiety on the road yet. I think my mom was worried that would happen. Leave it to mom to worry too much

So now I just have to get a trailer to tow the Stella with, and then the question becomes... where's my first road trip to?

[avonpirate]

LUNA, sounds and looks great. You are not selling out, you are broadening your opportunities.That's what life is about!!!!

[pumpedoncaffeine]

It looks great! Tractor supply has some of their trailers on sale to tow your Stella.

I wish the best.

[LunaP]

It looks great! Tractor supply has some of their trailers on sale to tow your Stella.

I wish the best.

Thanks! It's Lokky's Stella, but I'd surely be using the trailer for other stuff... hauling trash/furniture, helping friends move, etc. Possibly be a chase car or additional transport for rides/rallies the club holds or attends.

If anybody has any advice or input about hauling scoots/types of trailers, I wouldn't mind hearing it. Right now, I'm keeping an eye out for this kind (although I don't need it that big, maybe more like 5x10 or 5x8) on CraigsList, hoping to get it at a nice used price, because they are decently pricey new, as it turns out.

[pumpedoncaffeine]

We have a 5x8 that we haul a Stella and a Buddy on. We use a ramp to get them on it. Usually just push them up. It works well, I am small and I can handle it myself.
Some of the trailers have the back gates that come down and make into a ramp.
Gosh I am starting to sound like the locals knowing whats on sale at the tractor supply store. Time for a transfer. lol

[magnato1]

Awesome! I have been looking at the CX-5 for months and I am super stoked to get one, I am holding out for the turbo diesel that is supposed to come out early next year. They claim it could get up to 51 mpg. The reviews on this are great, everything says it drives like a car and that is part of my excitement! Congrats on the purchase, I am super jealous!

[az_slynch]

Once a scooterist, always a scooterist. Especially if their heart's in it.

[LunaP]

Awesome! I have been looking at the CX-5 for months and I am super stoked to get one, I am holding out for the turbo diesel that is supposed to come out early next year. They claim it could get up to 51 mpg. The reviews on this are great, everything says it drives like a car and that is part of my excitement! Congrats on the purchase, I am super jealous!

Daaaaammmmmmmmmiiittt.

51mpg?? Not that 32-35 (which they insisted was a conservative estimate) is bad at all, but poop. This always happens to me when I buy expensive things... I buy it, and then right away they come out with something cooler for basically the same price point... it's happened with my iPod, my TV, all my computers, and my DS.

Oh well, it's not like I can return it, and I'm not sure that I would anyway, so not use crying over spilt milk... I'm just eternally spoiled by getting 90mpg on 1 gallon Not that I'd know wtf to do with a turbo'd car that took diesel... diesel is stupid expensive.

But yes, I adore it. It drives like a charm... partially because they purposefully lowered the engine in the engine cabin, so it has a lower center of gravity than other SUV's. Probably a big reason I feel a lot less nervous driving it. Among other things. Not gonna lie though, I pimped it out and got pretty much every bell and whistle you can, just because this will probably be the only time in my life I can buy myself a brand new freakin' car. Totally worth it.

[agrogod]

With your recent bout of bad luck would have thought you would have gone for maximum protection, like one of these

[ravenlore]

So now I just have to get a trailer to tow the Stella with, and then the question becomes... where's my first road trip to?

See, now there's good thinking.

[magnato1]

Luna,

Sorry about the info regarding the diesel. They have released it in Australia already and I have seem some reviews, but I doubt that it will come in for the same price. If I had to guess, I bet the diesel will be about 5,000 more than the top end CX-5. They always charge more for diesel powerplants, but I am not really sure why. Either way, I think you got a sweet ride in a great color!