Aurezalia
Well-known member
I think I'm FINALLY approaching a final decision about my vehicle choice. Hopefully I can purchase in the next few months!
I'm down to two choices. Realistically, both are good for quite different areas, and I'm just not sure WHICH one to give precedent to, KWIM?
2008 Mazda 5:
21 city/27 highway - combined 23 mpg
Pros: This will work well with Radians. It allows bracing (Which I really prefer my car allow, for a multitude of reasons) because the airbag sensors are under the seats, not on the back. REAR A/C!!! Sliding doors! Drives like a car!
Cons: Would have to use it with back seats folded down for trunk space, so that turns it into a 4-seater car. It's not going to be good for anything outside of city use.
2008 Jeep Patriot
21 city/24 highway - combined 22 mpg (For the automatic 4WD - 2WD gets 23/27)
Pros: Driver's side allows bracing (Passenger's side technically doesn't, so this could be considered a con). Comes in 4WD, would be a MUCH better fit for rougher driving. (Or, as I think of it, driving off on a random dirt road into canyon in the middle of nowhere.)
Cons: No rear A/C. Small-ish trunk with no expansion options, but of a size that I could probably make do with. Has a CVT transmission, which could be worrisome, although there hasn't been any reported problems with the Patriot's. Seats 3 in the back, but 3-across will be tight at best.
Summed up: The Mazda5 will be better for work, but won't have much use outside of that. The Patriot is more than useable for work, but also will work for when I decide to take my random drives out into the middle of nowhere. The safety differences are so negligible, if there at all, that they aren't factoring into my decision.
But I also have to be realistic. I work 60+ hours, 7 days a week right now. I haven't had the time for one of those drives in months, and not sure how long it will be until I'm able to again. That all has me leaning towards the Mazda5, but it is slightly more expensive, and I can't shake the feeling that long term, the Patriot *may* be slightly more useable.
So... all that to say... WWYD?
I'm down to two choices. Realistically, both are good for quite different areas, and I'm just not sure WHICH one to give precedent to, KWIM?
2008 Mazda 5:
21 city/27 highway - combined 23 mpg
Pros: This will work well with Radians. It allows bracing (Which I really prefer my car allow, for a multitude of reasons) because the airbag sensors are under the seats, not on the back. REAR A/C!!! Sliding doors! Drives like a car!
Cons: Would have to use it with back seats folded down for trunk space, so that turns it into a 4-seater car. It's not going to be good for anything outside of city use.
2008 Jeep Patriot
21 city/24 highway - combined 22 mpg (For the automatic 4WD - 2WD gets 23/27)
Pros: Driver's side allows bracing (Passenger's side technically doesn't, so this could be considered a con). Comes in 4WD, would be a MUCH better fit for rougher driving. (Or, as I think of it, driving off on a random dirt road into canyon in the middle of nowhere.)
Cons: No rear A/C. Small-ish trunk with no expansion options, but of a size that I could probably make do with. Has a CVT transmission, which could be worrisome, although there hasn't been any reported problems with the Patriot's. Seats 3 in the back, but 3-across will be tight at best.
Summed up: The Mazda5 will be better for work, but won't have much use outside of that. The Patriot is more than useable for work, but also will work for when I decide to take my random drives out into the middle of nowhere. The safety differences are so negligible, if there at all, that they aren't factoring into my decision.
But I also have to be realistic. I work 60+ hours, 7 days a week right now. I haven't had the time for one of those drives in months, and not sure how long it will be until I'm able to again. That all has me leaning towards the Mazda5, but it is slightly more expensive, and I can't shake the feeling that long term, the Patriot *may* be slightly more useable.
So... all that to say... WWYD?
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