Upgrade!
My 2005 Dodge Neon, lovingly referred to as the “Reliant,” has been a pretty dependable vehicle since I bought it back in 2006. Recently, the only issue I’ve had with it is that well, its a Neon. As I’ve been taking more trips to Dallas and Houston going to conventions and events, I’m finding that a Neon isn’t a very comfortable place to be for an extended period of time.
Thus, I began looking for a new vehicle in earnest. I didn’t need a “urban assault vehicle” as I like to call them, instead I wanted something just a bit bigger and more comfortable than a compact car. I ended up buying a new 2012 Honda CR-V (pictured at right next to the Reliant and dubbed the “Excelsior”) and noticed just a few things during the process:
- As I mentioned previously, car shopping has changed just a bit since I bought the Reliant in 2006, and I think for the better.
- “Base model” doesn’t mean what it used to. The base model CR-V includes Bluetooth, USB, rear-view camera, and automatic transmission. Wow.
- The hardest part of getting a CR-V was well…getting one, as they are quite popular.
- Used cars are also popular; the Reliant was worth quite a bit more than I had expected.
- Of course, all I was going to get for it on the trade-in was some magic beans.
- Its good to have a man on the inside, hopefully my friend that sold me the CR-V stays at the dealership for at least a few years 😉
- Actual conversation with my friend: “Its not my car yet.” “Of course not, you haven’t paid for it.” “No, I haven’t farted in it yet.”
- I’ve barely had the Excelsior a month and its already been called ‘cute’ a few times. Here we go again.
- Having a camera in the back that turns on while I’m in reverse makes backing into parking spots like a videogame. If I ‘lose’ its going to cost me more than a quarter, though!
- Hooray for modern engineering: despite being larger, the Excelsior gets at least as good gas mileage as the Reliant did and over 30mpg on long trips.
Eduardo Soliz 