Don't Let the Sound of Your Own Wheels Drive You Crazy

If you'd asked me a few months ago what subject matter I'd be least likely to blog about, I would've answered, "Cars." (And I'm not talking about the movie.) As a rule, I don't think about cars, notice cars, or care about cars. Living in the city, I was car-less throughout my 20's.

But lately, because we have to purchase a new one (our current car's transmission is dying and costs too much to fix), my poor brain is full of nothing but Hondas, Mazdas, Toyotas, Fords...V6 engines, MPGs, horsepower, and finance charges. Bear with me....

Nothing brings out your inner teenager like buying a car. Just look around at all the middle-aged dudes out there driving sports cars and the young grandmas in their cute, impractical convertibles.

I should know...I've been arguing with myself over which car to purchase for a couple of weeks now. I have a few musts: mid-sized, 4WD, third-row seating, not a mini-van. A back-up camera would be nice. There aren't tons of cars in this category and I've test driven four so far.

Kia Sorento

My sensible mom side says, "The Kia Sorento is fine--it's not exactly luxurious but it's a solid car and one of the least expensive options."

My inner teen, however, has a something different in mind. She wants what everyone else has. And by everyone else I mean the other moms tooling around our little pocket of Westchester County.

And they all happen to drive Honda Pilots. So, of course, now I want one, too. I wish I wasn't such a copy-cat. It makes me feel like I did back in high school when all I craved was to fit in and wear the same clothes the popular girls were wearing. I've never been one of those people who thrived on bucking the trend.

Honda Pilot

The Honda Pilot has a lot going for it besides being the vehicle of choice for all the cool moms. Too bad it's more money than we want to spend: almost $10K more than the Kia Sorento. Sure, it's more luxurious inside, but 10 G's worth? Doubtful. It's also kinda huge--we don't even know if it would actually fit through our garage door.

But when my rational mom side starts talking, that's when my inner teen begins to beg and plead...because the car I most wanted when I was 18 was a Jeep. And the Pilot is slightly Jeep-ish (kinda, sorta) which makes me want it all the more.

Mazda CX-9

So my inner teenager is at war with my sensible mom side. I'm not sure who will win.

Maybe we'll split the difference with a Mazda CX-9. The basic model is a few grand cheaper than the Pilot but it's definitely cooler than the Kia. But then no one wins (except Mazda), and that's not right.

Buying a car is such a major purchase; I just want to make the right choice. I don't want to be overly extravagant but I also don't want to regret our decision and end up ogling every Pilot-driving soccer mom I see.

Sigh...can you tell I've never bought a car before?