Definitely Mazda for me, for all the reasons already stated above.

I’ve continuously owned a Mazda for almost a decade now. They’re my favorite ‘regular’ car maker.

The trail hunter will sell like wildfire. SO many overlanders already use runners. I just hope the dealer markups will not be to crazy. I also hope this package is less than the trd pro. 

Great. So a TRD Pro is already $72,335 CAD. I can’t wait to see what $80,000+ is going to buy.

Same. I’ve owned 4 recent Mazdas, and they all exceed expectations. Great looking cars, that drive really well, and are quite reliable. I think they’re the best automaker period… not just favourite.

Also going with Mazda. The only brand new car I’ve ever bought is my current daily driver, a 2013 Mazdaspeed3, and it is far and away the best car I’ve ever owned. Even when driven slowly, the car just feels more planted and poised than any other car I’ve ever driven.  I know the Nagare styling was very polarizing,…

Same here.

Agreed.  Toyota-like reliability but with great styling inside and out, actual “fun to drive” handling, and a ‘real’ auto trans not CVT.  Would 8 gears make the Skyactive auto better?  Maybe, but I never found the 6-speed wanting in my 2014 Mazda6.  I had previously also bought new a 2001 Miata and 2003 6, and…

I’ve owned a CX-5 for years and recommended it to 2 others- whom also bought them.  My old Mazda 3 is still in the family and still used as a daily commuter.  They are great cars.  My only issue is they seem to have lost the zoom-zoom they used to have.  I appreciate the I6/RWD biased AWD move but it is only in giant…

Despite being relatively small and independent, it is remarkable what Mazda has been putting out in the last 10-15 years since Ford sold their stake in the company.

This is my answer as well. Honda is a close-ish 2nd. And then GM/Chevy third. I could waste the next hour giving the reasons for each, but quick breakdown...

Mazda- They’re the underdog and I root for them. have owned 2 so far. Better interiors , better performance and more value for money in features than the mainstream competition any day (although some tech is lacking). Love their 2.5 Turbo best inline 4 outside a BMW B48

Mazda - I got hooked on the Zoom-Zoom. Current owner of two Mazda3s and previous owner of a Mazdaspeed6.

Hybrids - all the positives of an ICE engine + none of the downsides of an EV. 

But no range anxiety, smaller battery = less weight, which all translates to more fun and less tyre wear (and less road wear).

“I don’t wear seatbelts because it’s better to be thrown clear of the accident.”

I’ve heard this eyeball-roller more than once: owners told me how they “baby” their ride by putting premium gas in the tank instead of the correct regular grade. The whole idea of premium grade for higher compression engines to prevent knocking was beyond them—”babying” was all they knew.

OP would have to stretch the budget by 2-3k, but a 2020-2021 Volvo V60 might be an option for for 31-33k OTD

You’re much better off doing a tour excursion with the cruise ship company rather than a private local tour since they’re much more likely to accommodate the all-aboard time. Same goes for cruise ship staff: if you miss the all-aboard time, you can get in pretty bad trouble including being fired. I’m sure this still…

As stupid as this all is, it feels fantastically American. Big trucks. Large debt payments. Have now, pay later attitude. Wingeing over the debt payments. Just needs a video complaining about how their property taxes are too high.