An Easy Decision

View of the McDowell Mountains

Last week the air conditioner in the Subaru stopped working as the temperatures were getting back into the 70s. Coincidentally Jim already had an appointment set up to take it into SubiWorx for inspection, since we had it in last year and they found a pinpoint size refrigerant leak that we were told could go a long time before causing a problem. Not only had it lost refrigerant, but there was also a leaky seal on the timing chain cover and a cracked PCV line, and several other things that would need attention over the coming months. Since the AC repair would take 5 hours labor due to having to disassemble the dash, they did not have time to fix it Friday, and there was no opening before we plan to leave on February 7th. Jim did call the Subaru dealer and got an appointment for Wednesday to get it fixed there, although at a higher cost.

Harris hawks looking for a meal.

On Saturday morning we headed out early to do laundry in Mesa, with a stop for breakfast along the way. We got to talking about how we are both sick of driving a car with manual transmission, and how much it would cost for the repairs and normal maintenance items that will soon need replacing on the Subaru, like brakes, tires, and battery. The dilemma is we want a lighter weight SUV type tow vehicle, of which the Honda CR-V, 2014 and older is the only one that can be flat towed in an automatic. I searched for 2014 CR-Vs for sale in the Phoenix area and found a silver one at Autonation Subaru in Scottsdale with 38,000 miles on it. After laundry and grocery shopping we headed there to take a look.

                                                                                                                
                     

Same hummingbird in both photos. It is amazing how different they look depending on the light.

By 6:30 that evening we were having a much needed beer at OHSO Brewery just down the road from the Subaru dealer, and were the proud owners of a used 2014 Honda CR-V. 

I loved the bathroom sink at OSHO.

So far we love driving an automatic again, and it is loaded with features that were not on the 2011 Subaru, like bluetooth connectivity and a backup camera. The only downside is it doesn't have quite as much ground clearance as the Subaru. Plus we feel like we got a very fair trade-in for the Subaru considering it was not in the best of shape. AutoNation does not haggle on price, and we had done enough research to know we got a good deal, so we are happy. It was the most stress-free car buying experience we've ever had.

Our current site at McDowell Mtn Park

Although we love the car, now we have to put a hitch on it so we can carry our bikes, and get a baseplate installed so we can tow it behind the Lazy Daze. Not sure this will all get done before we leave but Jim has ordered a hitch which he can install with a bit of help from a friend. The towing hardware may have to wait until we get back to Jojoba but we are still working on that.
I’m glad we went ahead and made the decision to trade in the car that day because I’m sure Jim would have changed his mind had we given ourselves some time to think about it.

This mockingbird spends many hours making noise just outside our door.

In other news, George and Tina from Hemet, CA arrived a few days ago, as did Mark and Bobbie (Box Canyon Blog), and Chris got here yesterday afternoon. So far we've done a couple fun bike rides and happy hours with them.

Bobbie, Tina, George, and Mark

Chris, Jim, George, Bobbie, Tina and me

We worked at Fearless Kitty on Sunday and Jim was still really smitten with Troy. I told Paula, the manager, that she needed to get Troy adopted before our next shift on Wednesday because I was afraid Jim would want to bring him home. I got a text from her this afternoon along with a photo of Troy with his new mom, another volunteer. I am happy to know he is going to a good home and that it isn't ours.

Have a good life, Troy!