Bye George Jetson.
It was nice while it lasted, but 3 weeks ago, George started leaking again. AGAIN. I assume it's the body seam that failed... again... but honestly, I wasn't willing to invest another $500 to find out while I spent the day out of work sitting at the dealership in Richmond. And while I know a Honda can run in excess of 200k miles (that's why I bought George in the first place), the whole recurring leak issue is pissing me off. It can't end well, really. Cars are not supposed to leak from the body seam. Ever. When I cleaned it out, you wouldn't believe the nastiness that was living in the wheel well (where all leak nastiness goes to grow its stinky cheese feet funkiness).
I've spent a great deal of time hunting down information on the internet about various car models. I knew I wanted to stick with a local dealer this time (what a hassle to drive to Richmond or Lynchburg to see a dealer!) so that left me with the choices of GM, Ford, Chrysler, Jeep, and Toyota. I knew I wanted a smaller model with a hatchback and flip flat seats. The trunk is greatly overrated to me since having the Fit.
Basically, it boiled down to the Toyota Prius, and the Toyota Matrix. Prius: Great on gas mileage in some driving conditions, but lacks pull out power (you know, if you have to pull onto a highway from a stop sign, which I do quite a bit). The Matrix gets good mileage, but not fabulous, but has a 2.4L engine, which gives it a better punch for quick pullouts.
In the end, I just liked the Matrix better. Mix that with the fact that dealers are NOT willing to budge on the price of a Prius but are VERY willing to move the price of a 2010 Matrix. I took those people for a ride of my own. The finance woman checked twice to make sure the sale price on the paperwork was right because the dealership lost so much money on the car. I actually overheard the general manager say, "Look, I just want that car off the lot, okay?"
So, I have a free moon roof out of the deal. And a bright, BRIGHT red 2010 Toyota Matrix S.
Please feel free to submit your entry in the "Name My New Car" contest!
