New car lease

I have a new leased car. Thanks to everyone who provided details on switching to a new lease early and pointing out details that I needed to investigate. I appreciate it!

Last week, I had a talk with my manager. He loves cars and recommended getting the C-HR. I test-drove it on Wednesday and it handles well. The problem is that it has huge blindspots on the sides. The rear passenger windows are tiny and it's dark back there. I didn't feel comfortable doing shoulder checks. Down the road, if this car model is redesigned and changes are made to the passenger side windows, I'll reconsider it.

I currently have a Scion iM. It was rebranded as a Toyota iM. It is now the Corolla hatchback. It felt comfortable when I drove it. I like having a push-button start like my Priuses in the past. I like going into drive mode and giving my foot a break by pressing the Stop button. I like going into parking mode and having the emergency brake automatically engage.

It felt fun to drive, just like my current car. I didn't experience that with the C-HR.

The crazy thing is that I put less money down and my payments are much lower. I have been with Toyota for nine years, so it's nice that my track record with them has been good.

I get my car in a couple of Fridays. I need to start clearing my stuff out of my car. My glove compartment is atrocious. I will work on not doing that with my new car.

Six months before my car lease is over

I have a leased car. The lease is six months away from being over.

Apparently, I can take my car into the dealership to get a complimentary assessment on how it is doing and options that I have, including buying it. I also have the option to break my lease and get a new car without any penalties, depending on the car that I choose, I am guessing.

This process is completely new to me. I have never had a six-month-before-the-lease assessment in my life. It must be recent, as I have leased a total of four cars in my life, including this one. I can only guess that it is to retain customers.

It seems like the trade would be from my Scion iM (it has been rebranded as the Corolla iM) to the Corolla Hatchback. I don't know whether selecting a different car model is eligible for breaking a lease and keeping my payments roughly the same. We'll see.

If you have any insight, please let me know. It's all new to me as I continue my research on cars.

Driving his future car and abruptly changing the subject

My guy and I had a good chat on Skype yesterday. It's nice that we get to see each other this weekend.

We ended up chatting about cars, at first. My guy is the type who likes to get a completely different car than the one that he previously owned. As for me, it's a feeling. I have owned two Priuses in a row. I would have got another one, but I wanted a change and went with a Scion (now Corolla) iM.

"Who knows? Maybe the change will be driving your next car," I teased.
"How's the weather in Toronto?" he asked.
"Wow, that was a mighty subtle subject change," I said sarcastically, which made him laugh.
"I just had to ask about the weather," he said, chuckling.

It's fun teasing him and seeing how protective he is about his cars, whether he owns it now or will in future.

New car, new treehouse

My guy has been away for a week now. One week down. Three more to go.

He is actually in Cairo first and will make his way to Johannesburg shortly afterward. We caught up with each other on Wednesday, as it takes him a couple of days to adjust to the time difference (seven hours) before he is alert enough to do anything.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be asleep?!" I asked him. It would have been 01:00 his time.
"I have to do some work," he said.
"I know the feeling I worked all [last] weekend," I replied.
"What's new with you?" he asked me.
"I got a new car!" I exclaimed.

He's a car guy. I have learned so much from him.

I have been driving a Prius for seven years. I was thinking about getting another Prius. My lease expires in July. However, there was an event happening where the dealership would take care of my current lease and allow me to get a new vehicle.

Last Saturday, I spent my entire afternoon test-driving cars. I finally settled on a new car. I got a 2016 Scion iM in electric blue.

My guy was impressed. He immediately found the Web site and streamed the video. He liked my car.

I wanted a sporty, fun car to drive. This car is all of that. It also has eco mode, so I don't have to feel guilty driving such a car. It doesn't guzzling gas.

The car comes in automatic and manual. My guy likes the latter. However, considering how horrible traffic is around here, I went with the automatic transmission with manual drive options. So, I get the best of both worlds. I can drive manual, but without a real clutch.

My guy and I love the rims on the car. The colour is pretty. It drives nicely. I love it!

It is one of the reasons why I haven't posted for a bit. I am enjoying my new purchase.

"What's the backseat like?" my guy said, imaging him grinning from ear to ear.
"I haven't tested the treehouse. I need you here."
"I can't wait to see you and test out the treehouse," my guy stated.

Me, neither.