On Saturday, May 27, 2006, Erica and I went car shopping. After some extensive research, the Mazda3 and Honda Civic were at the top of our list. The Mazda3 was on the top of our list because we were not impressed with the 2004 Civic (we sat in one at a car show), but reputation and reviews put the Honda on our list. First, we went to the Mazda dealership and test drove a 5-door, Mazda3. We were very impressed with the car; it had power, was very comfortable, and had great gas mileage.  After the test drive we pretty much had our minds set on the Mazda3, but we wanted to think it over (it was a 2005 model the dealer wasn’t budging on the sticker price).

 

Against all prejudice we decided to test drive a Civic before heading home, after all the Honda dealer was only 2 blocks away from the Mazda dealer.  As soon as I sat in the car, I knew that Honda had put much effort into redesigning the Civic - this was not the Civic that I sat in 2 years ago, it was actually comfortable.  After, bouncing around in the driver’s seat and investigating the interior, the dealer handed me the keys.  When I started the ignition the digital dashboard lit up and drooled all over myself.  I thought that I was in a... get ready for a dorky Star Wars reference, X-wing starfighter.

 

We went out for a test drive and Erica drove for at least 10 miles before returning to the dealer lot. Our salesman was very friendly and gave us the freedom to fully test the car (unlike the Mazda dealer whom let us drive only 3 blocks).  We ended up buying this car with the help of my loving parents on the down payment. On May 30, 2006 I drove our Royal Blue Honda Civic EX off the lot (Erica was at a conference in Colorado) to the park and took some pictures...