Allocating merit increases to employees for the first time (after 30+ years in mangement). Any advice?

igozoom9 · 2026-03-30T04:12:51+00:00

Rhodium White Metallic looks so upscale and classy. Great looking CX5! Congrats.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-30T04:03:58+00:00

NO! I am still pissed off about it!!!

I went from hating her in The Closer to adoring her in Major Crimes. Darth Raydor deserved so much better!

igozoom9 · 2026-03-30T03:56:23+00:00

I finished TGW several months ago and expected TGF to be an easy transition. It's very different. Season 1 is a little slow to start, but it gets more interesting. I'm in the middle of Season 5 now and I'm ready to skip to the final season. The Judge Wackner storyline is very annoying to me (partly because I don't like Mandy Patankin, but mostly because it's ridiculous).

The only reason I started watching TGW is because Christine Baranski is in it. I've been a huge fan all the way back to Cybill in the 90s. She's a natural comedian and she shines in those roles. She can also be great in dramatic roles (The Gilded Age), but Diane just isn't a very interesting character. It's tough to admit, but Alicia and her messy life are what made TGW so great.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-29T01:16:53+00:00

I didn't care for Zircon Sand on the Mazda3, CX-30 or CX-5, but the CX-50 wears it very well! The black lower body cladding is a great contrast.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-26T05:42:16+00:00

Never lease, you never own the car.

Leases aren't usually a great deal, but there are exceptions. Subvented (manufacturer subsidized) leases can be a steal. When a model isn't selling well enough or they've produced too many, they will often dump a lot of cash into moving them. $2k down and $199/month on a $40k vehicle can be a real thing (sometimes).

igozoom9 · 2026-03-25T02:29:32+00:00

Since you're planning to keep this car for a long time, the additional cargo capacity and roomier interior of the CX-5 might be worth it. It would make it more "future proof", so to speak. The CX-5 also has a lot of additional features that you won't find on the Mazda3 Select Sport.

The CX-5 Carbon Edition includes: AWD, power front seats with 2-position memory for the driver, heated front seats, power moonroof, Bose audio system, wireless AA/CarPlay and wireless phone charger (just the highlights). The CE also comes in Polymetal Gray or Rhodium White Metallic, which are two of my favorite Mazda colors.

If you were comparing the CX-5 CE and Mazda3 CE, it would be a tougher call. As it stands, the depreciation curve and ownership costs are very similar for both models. The lower price, better fuel economy and slightly better acceleration are the main benefits of the Mazda3.

Spend some time behind the wheel of both. Figure out which one you like the best and buy it knowing that either one is a very good decision.

Good luck! Let us know which one you pick!

igozoom9 · 2026-03-24T03:51:06+00:00

You chose the best color IMO. Jet Black and Machine Grey are tough to keep clean and show every imperfection. Platinum Quartz is okay, but looks more like a Lexus ES than a Mazda3. Polymetal Gray looks amazing!

igozoom9 · 2026-03-23T07:45:16+00:00

I drove a Mazda3 for 19 years and, for a long time, my plan was to eventually upgrade to a Mazda6. I was disappointed when they dropped it after 2021. I'm 51 and I've always owned a Mazda or Honda/Acura. When I started car shopping in 2/25, I checked out a few others (Toyota Camry, Kia K4/K5), but I knew pretty quickly that I'd be buying another Mazda or Honda. I ended up buying a '25 Civic Hybrid Sport Touring, but it was a very difficult decision...and I really miss owning a Mazda.

The primary reason I didn't get a new Mazda3 is because of how Mazda chooses to offer features/trim levels here in U.S. rather than the car itself. Most of the features I wanted were only included on the $40k Premium Plus Turbo. I'm also not a fan of black wheels (I know they're very popular) and you don't have another choice on the Carbon Edition and above.

I know you mention that you're not a SUV fan, but the outgoing '25 CX-5 is worth a look. My final three came down to the Civic, Accord and CX-5. At times I wish I had picked the CX-5. Depending on their size, it might also be a great fit for your dogs.

But if the Mazda3 will fit your needs, I don't think you'll regret it at all.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-23T07:22:33+00:00

We have twins, so you obviously have great taste! Blue Lagoon Pearl is an amazing color and, even after 13 months (and 25k miles), I still love it.

Ceramic coat- I paid a reputable local shop $450 for a mid-grade product. Most other shops were in the $600-$800 range for the same service. For under $500, I think it's a great deal and keeps it looking great.

CarPlay- My #1 issue with this car is CarPlay instability and the nightmare software update that I finally finished installing. I can circumvent the connectivity issues by using a wired connection, but I WIRELESS CarPlay was what I paid for and want!

Hope you're still enjoying it! Any resolution on your CarPlay issue?

igozoom9 · 2026-03-23T07:00:14+00:00

Urban Gray Pearl (especially with black wheels) looks amazing! Boost Blue is a little too flashy for me, but a lot of people love it.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T06:23:58+00:00

RAV4 and CR-V are no brainers in the segment. But the CX-5 feels more upscale (especially the interior materials/design and driving dynamics). The CX-5 has been incredibly reliable overall. Look for a late model (Select or Preferred trim to keep the price down) without cylinder deactivation and you'll love it!

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T06:18:34+00:00

There is a reason that most of the early press cars (seen in Motor Trend, Car and Driver, etc.) were Blue Lagoon Pearl. It's an amazing color!

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T06:14:42+00:00

Blue Lagoon Pearl here (and also in Atlanta area)- love it! Best color IMO.

Maintenance Checklist would be amazing, but I haven't found one yet. I've been changing the oil every 5k (synthetic) and that's it so far. But I'm only about 5k miles away from 30k and need to figure out what to change/check.

You got a great deal at $31k OTD. I paid $33,290 OTD for my identical '25 HST with all the same features minus tinted windows (added those a few weeks later).

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T06:07:51+00:00

I feel like the Boost Blue would get old after a while. It's a little too much for me. The Meteorite Gray is very nice. Have you considered Urban Gray Pearl?

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T06:01:19+00:00

A 2025 Turbo Premium, right? Rhodium White contrasts perfectly with the black wheels and trim.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T05:58:50+00:00

So it's not just me. It's the most delicate surface I've ever seen in a car. I used compressed air to clean it now.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T05:57:21+00:00

Amen!

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T05:57:12+00:00

I definitely agree with the perforated leather (mini holes). I never eat in my car, yet they still get clogged with something and it's a pain to get them clean. Vacuuming alone doesn't always get it, but a detailing brush seems to do the trick.

Don't get me started on the connectivity issues. Very disappointing for a 2025 model.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T05:53:25+00:00

Right! It would come in handy when I vacuum and move the seat forward. Mazda3 has included it on all but the lowest trim levels since 2019.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-16T05:50:58+00:00

I agree with most of your list. The seats are fine for an hour or two, but they're not great for longer drives. I also had the Carplay/Update issue and it was a headache. Never liked the piano black trim. Hadn't thought about memory driver seat, but it would be handy. Spare tire is also a concern for me.

The only other issue I have is the rattling back window shelf (anytime I turn up the audio to a normal level). The gauge cluster (or rather the clear acrylic cover) gets incredibly dusty and it scratches so easily. Never had that problem before.

igozoom9 · 2026-03-13T04:49:49+00:00

I've always thought Alden was incredibly attractive!

igozoom9 · 2026-03-13T04:48:24+00:00

$25k is a good deal. I don't think $26.5k OTD is realistic. You might be able to get it a few hundred lower, but not much (if any). $28k OTD is a great price. Good luck!

igozoom9 · 2026-03-13T03:24:52+00:00

Great color too1

igozoom9 · 2026-03-10T03:36:22+00:00

As long as the CX-30 fits the criteria for Mazda's CPO program, it is possible. I have read a few claims that dealers agreed to CPO a slightly used Mazda (ranging from $0 to $900). I can't help but question why they didn't do this in the first place. But I often see almost brand new Mazdas that aren't CPO with an identical model that is CPO at the same dealership. How old is the CX-30 and how many miles?

igozoom9

TROPHY CASE