by Anura Guruge
on September 19, 2022

Click images to ENLARGE.

Alas & alack, this was NOT to replace my accursed 2022 ‘Volvo XC60 B5 AWD (Polestar)’. I am still stuck with that though I will, soon, make another attempt to divest myself of that car that I hate so much.

No, this 2022 Mazda CX-30 Premium is to replace my beloved 2002 Jaguar XJ8 that I reluctantly got rid of last month & the 2012 Ford Taurus that I will be taking to a junkyard by month end. So, yes, it is to replace 2 cars. Basically my spare car though its main purpose will be to be my ‘dog car‘ & ‘trips to the dump car‘. I, however, will NOT be putting any trash for the dump in this new car. I got a hitch mounted carrier so I can keep the trash away from the car. Just need ‘U-Haul’ to install a hitch mount.

All things considered this CX-30 wasn’t a bad deal. They, i.e., Seacoast Mazda, did NOT cut me any slack. But, I didn’t have the time or patience to argue or shop around. The car was within my budget, it was available & it was an acceptable color. I only talked to a couple of other dealers and Seacoast Mazda was the most civil! They are NOT a bad bunch — though they have the MOST ATROCIOUS phone system ever! Talk about BAD. They don’t even have voice-mail. That is my only real gripe about them. As some of you know I hate using the phone to begin with because it is such a waste of my time. And then I have to deal with this 1950s phone system with people yelling across the trailer. I was NOT amused; not impressed. They keep on saying that they will get a new phone system & a receptionist BUT that is but promises. OK. But, that was really the only negative.

AFTER I bought the car & was sitting on it, WE discovered that the car, THOUGH A PREMIUM, had no Sirius XM. Jesus wept. Well, NOT really the deal breaker since I will not be using this car for my long trips. But, talk about clowns. When I got the Volvo having Sirius XM was a MUST. That is all I listen to. But, I do not plan to spend much time in this CX-30. So, I think I can manage.

I am mildly impressed with the CX-30. It is cute in someways. It has some pep, but every once in awhile I miss the power I get with my Polestar boost in the XC60. Kind of like the paddle shifters BUT never realized what a pain they can be when you are taking corners — which is when you need to shift down/up. Hhhmmmm.

Small fuel tank. Max range around 240 miles! That won’t even get me to Acadia! Also I need to keep an eye on the miles-per-gallon. Even with my NOTORIUS heavy foot I can get around 30 mpg on the Volvo. Right now I appear to be getting around 18 mpg on the CX 30! Wow.

But, unlike my Volvo I don’t hate it — as yet. SMILE. That can change.