u/Naive_Minute_1588

Update : I limped my way to the nearest Firestone and it’s staying there overnight since I live 10+ miles from work and there’s not a single flat road in this entire state, it’s all steep hills back and forth. Here’s to hoping it’s something they can fix! And it’s not the radar because then it’s off to the dealership, slow and steady 🥴

This morning on the way to work, allllll the brake malfunction lights came on. I was only a few blocks away, thankfully, so I was able to make it. The last mile was a bit shaky. I had my radiator replaced over the weekend and everything has been fine since.

Heading to get a free code scan after work, thankfully there’s a Firestone a few minutes away. But any info would be helpful ahead of time!

Hi friends! I currently own a 2016 Mazda CX9 that is for work and personal use. I car camp occasionally, after concerts and such or if it’s just an overnight with other friends who also car camp/have roof tent set ups. Otherwise, I set up my regular tent if it will be longer/more than just me and one other person.

By the end of the year, I will be in the market for a new SUV. I love the size of my CX9, trunk space is great with the 3rd row down. It’s roomy for me and my dog or myself and a friend overnight. It’s great for road trips with friends. But I no longer want a 3 row SUV or one that has the fold down like I have because it has now made me the default driver to haul around ALL of my friends but I still want the trunk space that those size SUVs have. I am a full time, career nanny so I need the trunk space to be able to fit big strollers, kid bikes for park trips but also for my own stuff when I’m not working.

My top choice was the Land Cruiser but after further research, it’s not good for a quick set up for car camping (just setting up a sleeping pad/car mattress on the folded down seats) which is what I prefer. There’s a 60kg limit for on top of the case for the battery in the trunk, which also counts it out to use for Home Depot/Lowe’s trips for garden things.

I’ve always been more practical and finally wanted to go for the “fun” option which would work for both personal and work only to find out that there’s the weight limit. I also would prefer for the SUV to fit into my standard size garage, so no longer than a CX9 and the height of the LC is maximum height to fit.

I am open to any and all suggestions, but obviously would like to go for something more on the “fun” side, as I guess we could also just about call this my “almost middle age fun car” purchase.

Photo of a last minute decision to car camp in the rain for a concert last summer