Hey everyone, quick update on my car shopping experience on Thursday:
Days starts off with me pawning off the old faithful Flamemobile™ for pocket change to an acquaintance, decommissioned and no longer a Flamemobile lol...
Anyways, my better half picks me up from the registry office and off to lunch we go, driving up Centre street and I see this Grey late model Intrepid decked out with 4, yes, count them FOUR Flames window car flags flying on each window...Giant graphics procliams "Go Flames" and HUGE Flaming Stallion on the hood. With a huge dent on the driver's side of the car. Almost sh*t my pants right there...15 minutes after I decommissioned the Flamemobile I learn that I have been outdone by a mile, and I thought all this time my car was the only Flamemobile in town since the lockout started...looks like I was wrong ;_; So fess up fellow CPers, which one of y'all owns that fine piece of art?
Ok, enough with that sad story
onto car shopping...So I whip out my short list after lunch and the primary passenger of this new car inspects it and frown...and it completely goes out the window when she all but shot them down...
Only sole survivor? You guessed it: Toyota Camry *groans*) I really wanted the Sonata...
So we take off and me being the hypocrite that I am (remember? Didn't want a Mazda) Since North Hill Mazda is just right in front of my nose, and remembering that Mango said they treated her well...thought I might as well do it. Went in, poked around a bit, told sales dood just shopping around today. Sales dood comes back after 10 minutes searching for the keys, and off we go in a Mazda 6 Hatchback.
I must admit, at first our primary goal was to seek a family sedan. But the Hatchback's cargo space did impress me, especially the express flip down rear seats...nice. So again, I'm such a hyprocrite...now I'm considering the Mazda 6 Sport Hatchback...styling still rubs me the wrong way a bit though, makes me feel like I'm 16 all over again
Seats are more comfy than I expected (I was expecting tight sporty suspension)...6spd auto is fun, moreso than I thought it'd be...so overall...nice ride. I think I liked how thoughtful the test drive route was planned out than the car itself haha...
OK, done with that zoom-zoom thing. Off to Crowfoot Auto Mall...first stop: "Honey let's drive the TSX"
Ok fine...memories of the EL I once had in high school come rushing back...boy was I young and stupid then, which is why I no longer have that car lol...Anyways. I actually do like the styling a lot...The trunk and backseat is pathetic for a "midsize" though. But whatever, I've always wanted to take one for a spin just for the hell of it. Got the keys...first thing I've noticed is how HARD the seats were. It hurt my back like hell in 15 minutes of driving. But other than that it was decent for a 4-banger. Test drive finished...OMG worst route ever, did not go on highway, back hurts like hell (I have a bad back, work related) seats were harder than the old Civic
Sales guy was cool about it, suggested used TLs (had a bunch on the lot). MUCH BETTER seats. But I have my doubts buying someone else's castoffs, never bought used before.
Off to Toyota next door, finally something I had on my list originally
Pretty straight forward place, walked in, guy comes out and do the whole walkthrough of the Camry's features before driving off...Floormats are reversible into All-season rubber mats! Very cool, love it. Took it down Crowchild and Stoney. Felt like I was playing a video game, zero road feel on the steering, but plush ride, exactly what I need...interior...did not impress, maybe it's just the base model demo. V6 sort of lack passing power...completely different animal than the Mazda6 and the TSX. Almost comfy enough to fall asleep on the wheel. Now I know why all of my parents' friends have a Toyota of some sort.
Test drive done, the guy gets overly excited after my pretty lady says "Honey I like the seats, sits taller than my Accord". Ok, the background check comes on in the cubicle even though I said I am definitely in the shopping around stage right now. So he prints me the "Access Toyota" Sticker-price gouging scheme info sheet. Actually the sticker did not shock me much...more horror to follow in the next drive...So after pushing free lifetime oil changes, $500 off Camrys this month, and grad rebates I find out later at home, online, that Grad rebate does not even apply to Camry. Whatever...
Next stop: Dinner, then off to Honda right next to Acura and Toyota. Yup you heard me, Honda...because she's a Honda fan too...Really dreading this one walking in (My gosh is that '05 Accord ever fugly). Surprisingly, a rather pleasant young man greeted us with more genuine enthusiasm than I have ever encountered in a car dealership. *thought to self: must be new guy* Aha I was right, either that or he read my mind...tells me he's fairly new to Hondas after I told him more than he knew about what he's selling in 5 minutes. Very pleasant guy to deal with I must say, took the keys out and off we go on Crowchild and Stoney again. OKAY, I admit it, I love the seats...MORE comfy than Camry! Could not believe it, been driving Hondas all my life, never thought the seats would be so comfy. Whoever said it earlier in the thread was right. V6 had ballz, tons. 5-spd auto more lively than Camry, not as much as the Mazda6 but fine with me...sportshift is definitely not a top priority. The Brakes: Coming off a Camry test drive where the brakes have to be stomped on to do anything...the Accord jerked me forward as soon as I touched the pedal....holy touchy batman...not impressed...BUT THE DAMN SEATS ARE SO PLUSH...My back kept telling me this is THE ONE. The interior is also top freaking notch, best I've seen so far...web pics dont do it justice. Of course the price is also top notch too haha...talk about sticker shock...
but CarCostCanada will take care of that
I can't believe after all this time car shopping I'm sucked back into the World of Honda again...I was all but ready to switch it up a little lol...looks like me & Hondas are just meant to be or something
So yeah I feel like such a hypocrite haha, I now have 2 serious consideration between the Accord and the Mazda6. Although I plan to drive the 4-cyl Accord...see if the brakes would be less touchy...man I really hated that but other than that it was perfect...save for the styling...UGH. Mazda looks good, but I still think it's too sharp for me...and I don't really have faith in their Ford background and track record....
Today (Friday)'s plan:
I wanna drive the Sonata and the G6, and I will today dammit. Malibu Maxx and the Subie is now off the list after some thoughts, replaced by the 6 and the Accord. As for the Camry...I wanted something conservative and functional...but the video-game steering (think PS2 with a cheap Logitech wheel) and Access Toyota is turning me off.
SO MANY BLOODY DECISIONS, why is buying a car so damn hard these days!?