New purchase... NOT a Mini Van!

Over the last few months, PC and I have been doing our homework on the next big purchase... a new family vehicle.  It was an exhausting search... for both of us. I was concerned about the looks, gadgets, and overall vehicle technology, while PC was concerned about the guts of the vehicle, gas mileage, and cargo room. We had different agendas but managed to settle on one that we both liked and can live with for the next 6 to 8 years! One thing we were definite about is: NO MINIVAN.

Now, I know minivan-ers across the world are reading this and probably saying... you were anti-swagger wagon owners too until you actually purchased one, and that it was hands down the most practical vehicle you've ever owned... but for some reason, PC and I were not willing to go the minivan route.

I kinda think it has A LOT to do with aging... we are in our early thirties (let me emphasize 'early')... and something about a minivan screams 35 plus to me, and I am NOT 35.  I somehow think that the purchase of a minivan would catapult me into a mid-life crisis or even worse, more grey hair! Now... that being said, I have dear friends who are minivan owners, who are not 35 plus, and some that are - and this isn't about shaming them, its just a personal thing I have in my head that I don't see myself in a minivan, and thankfully PC was in the same mind space. 

Deep down, I know how practical vans are ... but on the surface, I feel much more ME driving some sort of an SUV/Crossover.

I absolutely loved my Ford Escape... and if cargo room and seating capacity were not a factor, I would have bought another Escape in a heartbeat.  I love the size of them, the drive, and the flexibility, but once you load in two boys, and their gear, and a 6 foot 2 inch, broad shouldered husband, it gets a little cramped!

I have always been a bit of stubborn two-year old when it comes to vehicles... my parents can definitely attest to that. In public school, we owned a GMC Suburban - which I thought looked like a bus when I was 12, and I would have rather walked home in the pouring rain than be picked up in the suburban.  These days, I think surburbans are awesome, but 20 years ago - not so much.

There was also the great car debate of 1997... when my parents were in the market for a new vehicle and wanted to purchase a Buick Regal. This would be the only vehicle I would be allowed to drive and internally I was dying when my Dad brought it home for a test drive.  It was a grandma car in my (out of whack, teenaged daughter type of) opinion and all I could think was... "I'm suppose to roll up to high school in this? Are you kidding me?".  I turned on the father/daughter charm and talked my 6 foot 4 inch Dad into a mid-size Grand AM.  Still to this day, I feel a little selfish about it all, but after seeing how many clicks I racked up on that car, I'm pretty sure my parents were glad they didn't invest in the Buick Regal!

Fast-forward to graduating University... I was still in love with the Grand AM, but not the practical four-door version, the impractical, bang your head off the roof, can't reach the seat beat from the driver's seat, type of impractical TWO DOOR.  It was cool... it was used, and I was in love. The only thing good about that car was... the extended warranty on it, because everything and its dawg went on it! But ... it was snazzy looking (and believe it or not, PC owned a Grand AM too, so when we met, it was one of those points you tell your friends about - "and ... get this, he's drives a Grand AM' - LOVE")!!

All this to say... I've had my fair share of experiences with what I like and don't like... but I've also hit my head on the roof enough times to know what is practical and necessary in owning a vehicle long term and what options are just a waste of money.

So without furhter ado... here is our newest addition - not a minivan, but our new crossover, the 2011 GMC Acadia!

I hope to have this baby in our family for a while, and that she'll bring us nothing but good family memories for many years to come!!

Now... you know my unimportant thoughts on minivans ... but what are yours? Yay or nay?

A new addition to the family!

I have to admit I have been a little scarce on the blog posting lately - I try to find time to make a post but it seems between work and sleeping (which I do a lot of these days), I barely have any brain power left for composing a coherent argument about anything.

However, tonight I don't need much brain power, as I just snapped a quick photo and voila - I have a post! We picked up our new 2008 Escape tonight - traded in our old one, to welcome White Lightning to the family.

We had be tossing around the idea of trading our 2004 Escape for a new one... and after a few conversations with our salesman, the price was right and we decided to do it. Now we have a new ride, and some peace of mind for when the baby arrives.

I don't have much more to report tonight except that I will vow to get my butt in gear on more rapid blog posting in the coming days ... if its any consolation, I do think of you, my faithful (most likely dwindling) readers every day - and I really want to post something each day, its just that time gets away from me and before I know it I am on my way to bed!

In the meantime, while you bare with me, check out our new Escape... move off Mafia Mobile - hello White Lightning!

Welcome to the Mafia

Dear Mr. Coleman

Thank you for your interest in the Mafia. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our industry.

After reviewing your resume, I can see that your association with the Canada Revenue Agency in the collections function will serve as a good cover for the day to day business transactions you will be required to complete as a part of our family.

As you are no doubt aware of the nature of our business, it will be necessary that you purchase a vehicle that will allow you to conduct business with our preferred clients. It would be preferable if you choose a car that has ample trunk space, in order to allow you to transport large, heavy items, such as 3 to 4 human bodies at one time.

As well, in true Mafia fashion, the colour black will be essential in order to communicate to our clients that we are serious business peolpe. Below I have enclosed some photos of the ideal Mafia vehicle that many of our associates have taken the opportunity to purchase, I hope you will find this helpful in your search for the perfect car.

Although I realize that your wife may be somewhat reluctant to follow these guidelines, I trust that you will be successful in convincing her that a vehicle of this nature is of the utmost importance to your new business venture.

Should you have any questions or problems, please feel free to contact me at the private number I have forwarded to you under seperate cover.

Thank you for your interest in our business, I look forward to working closely with you in near the future.

Sincerely,

Tony Soprano

Note: We are now the new proud owners of this 2006 Dodge Charger! After a long and gruelling seach, PC finally found THE car... we are now fully equiped to do business with The Sopranos!