Putting My Money Where My Blog Is

Well, my husband predicted it would happen this summer and he was right; our beloved 1997 Subaru Impreza kicked the bucket last week.

We had bought it over six years ago and it has served us well hauling dogs, wood chips, concrete, and our 18′ canoe all around the midwest. While the practicality of our now deceased little hatchback couldn’t be beat, the gas mileage and emission were pretty horrible.

So when we were discussing options for our next car, low MPG and emissions were high on our priority list along with affordability. After some internet research we became enamored with the 2009 Honda Fit: attractively redesigned, good MPG, affordable price (or so we thought), and practical with a hatchback and folding seats. But after a test drive we lost our taste for it. The mid to low priced Fits felt a little weak on the construction side, and while the top-priced fit felt sturdy it was too expensive at $20,000.

Just for fun, we decided to test drive a 2010 Honda Insight (a hybrid). We both really wanted a hybrid but assumed they were out of our price range (even used ones we thought were pretty pricey). It was a nice car, drove well and felt well-built. It also has a nifty function which tells you how “green” you are driving by lighting the dash with different colored lights. But for nearly $22,000 the Insight wasn’t an option.

So then we turned to the used car market. Expecting to find perhaps a 2004 or 2005 Honda Civic – thinking it would be reasonably priced with decent MPG and emissions (we also currently own a 1998 Civic which has been very good to us). However, luck (or perhaps a weak economy) was on our side and we found a darling 2007 Civic Hybrid comfortably in our price range with low mileage to boot. After a test drive and good nights sleep we knew we had found our car – the perfect balance between being green and being finically smart. Photos to come soon!