Had to say goodbye to the Ram...
 

Believe me when I say that I am not overly excited about this, but it is growing on me. We had to trade in the truck yesterday evening. When I left the service, my new job, while welcome and fun (love it), afforded me a nice 50% pay cut, but I am not getting shot at, spending years at a time away from home, or working for kindergarteners with money.

That said, I always told my wife that if the truck ever became a burden, I would sell it in a heartbeat. That was the ONLY condition she had with me getting one to begin with, and of course, I agreed. With my 100 mile per day commute, I just could not justify the fuel anymore. Add that to the fact that everything here is so damned far away from everything else, and well...something had to give. We were putting 1000 miles a week on the truck between work and random other stuff, the 22 year-old escort (while fine for a back-up car/round-town runabout) cannot be a primary mode of transport for a daily commute of 100 miles round trip.

So, last monday, I put the boat up for sale. It was gone on friday. I hadnt used it in a year, its been sitting, I just don't have the time to even think about fishing. Then yesterday, after work, I did one of the hardest things I have ever had to do...and gave up my Ram. It should have been easy, but it wasnt. So anyway, here I am, trying to get excited about the new purchase, and its growing on me. So without further ado, here she is!



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great choice! and congrats!!

We got a SMOKIN deal. They paid us to take it LOL, no joke. It has minor hail damage. Because its an "old" 2014, they dropped the price to 23k. Then gave me a $1,500 rebate, then a $500 veterans discount, then subtracted another 3k for the hail.

Then we talked trade in, AFTER we agreed on the price of the car. They ended up giving me just over $28k for my Ram, which I took, paid for the car, and walked out with the difference stashed for some goodies LOL.

CX-5 is definitely one of the best in that class! Congrats!

Best handler/fun-to-drive compact SUV in its segment. Congrats!

This is new...a man moves to Texas and SELLS his truck.

Congrats on the new car. My co-worker has one and it's pretty nice.

Great choice congrats!!

best car deal I've read about all year lol. nothing like walking out of the dealer with a profit. congrats .

Lets be honest here - the Mazda is actually an upgrade over the RAM. Congrats!

So? We have to assume that another Texan BOUGHT it. :D;)


Congratulations, Josh. :) I agree it is a better choice than a Ram for everyday long-range commuting. The SkyActiv engines in today's Mazdas have a reputation for good MPG.

Can't go wrong with the CX-5 :thumbup:

I remember reading your posts in the detailing section and how clean you always kept that truck. I bet you were a bit emotional when you let that truck go.

The Mazda is looking good! Definitely impressed by their newer designs, they look unique (in a very good way).

Hey buddy!

You did the right thing. Gas isn't getting any cheaper. Those CX-5s are really nice, fun, capable. I'm sure you'll enjoy it once you get used to it. How bad is the hail damage? Fixable?

Glad to hear you're out of the service and safe.

If so, here are two companies that specialize in non-painting dent removal

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Isn't it funny how attached we get to our cars? Like we are losing family?

Anyway, I digress. The CX-5 is one of the best looking cute utes out there! certainly not a trade down.