Something to get around in

One thing we left behind when we came to AZ was our second car..we had been offered a loaner from our gracious hosts and gladly accepted. The Toyota Camry I drove for 10 years had served us well but wasn't worth the price of shipping here. So we found it a new home and set our sights on a new Mini Cooper when our loaner needed to be returned. The deal was sealed for the Mini in our minds (well, at least mine).

But when shopping began there was some initial sticker shock to the price of a new Mini...then ensued the usual husband-wife dialog. Fortunately wisdom prevailed because in the end I think we actually did a lot better thanks to guidance from Consumer Reports. When the review for the Mini resulted in a less than positive report for reliability the cause for reconsideration became obvious...fortunately the article instead pointed to used alternative vehicles that had high reliability ratings...and MUCH lower sticker prices.

Hence the choice was made..now before I tell you what it is you have to understand that this WAS a very practical alternative...mind you the goal was still to get a FUN car and a CONVERTIBLE. So when the choices were presented they weren't undesirable at all...





Doesn't this look like a convertible? So we are still on track. We also needed it to be fun. So that means small as well. Of course if you are going to cut on price you have to give up something...so we gave up two of the seats.





I bet have guessed that this is not your grandmother's Model T, huh. But it does fit the bill for fun to drive (it's an automatic with something called paddle-shifting as optional, too). And with 300 days of sun a year we will have plenty of top-down drive time.

So here it is...


Not too hard to take, right? A 2007 Mazda Miata MX-5. A bargain by any accounts, and extremely practical for a 3.6 mile commute to work (it's good on gas, too). I think we are in for a little fun in the midst of all this chaos of our move. Unfortunately trunk space is limited. So when you visit we have to pick you up at the airport in our "Mini"van instead ;)



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Location:E Cheyenne Dr,Phoenix,United States