My Raccoon Accident Led to a New Car

🚗 From Raccoon Trouble to Subaru Love: The Story Behind My New Car

Today started like any other Saturday morning—March 29th, around 9 A.M.—but it ended with a sunroof, a spark of joy, and a brand-new ride parked in my driveway.

The Beginning: Goodbye, Altima

A few weeks ago, my old faithful—my 2013 Nissan Altima with 125,000 miles—had an unexpected encounter with a raccoon. Let’s just say… the raccoon did not survive, and the car didn’t come out much better either. After years of reliability, it was clear: it was time for something new.

Despite the mixed opinions out there about Nissans, we actually had good luck with ours. In fact, we also had a 2017 Pathfinder with over 118,000 miles that never gave us any trouble. But still, this felt like the right moment for change.

The Research Phase: What Do People Recommend?

I asked around. A lot. Friends, family, online forums—everywhere I turned, three brands kept popping up: Honda, Toyota, and Subaru. The goal was simple: a reliable vehicle that didn’t need constant maintenance. I’m not the kind of person who wants to be in and out of the mechanic’s shop—I just want a dependable ride that works when I need it.

I toyed with the idea of something flashy—hello Dodge Charger, hi Mustang—but ultimately, practicality won.

The Search: Dealership Hopping & Dreaming of Sunroofs

After checking out of Terra Luna on Wednesday (if you haven’t seen that video yet, check it out!), we drove straight to the Honda dealership. I tried the Honda Accord, which came highly recommended for its size and luxury. I even tried a Civic, thinking something smaller might suit my daily commute better.

But you know when you sit in a car, and it just feels right? That didn’t happen. Not with either.

So we crossed the street and tried a Toyota RAV4 next. This one checked so many boxes—it was loaded with features: JBL speakers, leather seats, an automatic liftgate… the works. But it was black. In Florida. If you’ve ever owned a black car here, you know—it’s basically an oven on wheels. So despite loving it, we passed.

The Wild Card: Subaru

On a whim, we decided to stop at a Subaru dealership—just to rule it out, really. But from the moment we walked in, I was smitten. This place was so family-friendly. There were kids painting little plant pots, a movie playing in the lounge, and even a plant propagation wall you could take clippings from. They had a dog park. A dog park at a dealership! 🐾

It didn’t feel like just another business—it felt like a community.

The Test Drives: Crosstrek vs. Forester

We test drove a Subaru Crosstrek first. It was this gorgeous icy blue and had the sunroof I’d been dreaming about. It was comfy, safe, and full of smart features—like impact bars for side collisions and a front-engine design that diverts force downward during head-on crashes.

Then we spotted a Subaru Forester. It had a giant panoramic sunroof. When the windows and roof are open, it’s practically a convertible (but with none of the maintenance headaches I was trying to avoid).

The moment I sat in it, I knew.

The One: A White 2023 Subaru Forester

Just as we were falling in love with the Forester on the lot, our salesman returned with the one: a 2023 Subaru Forester in white with just 13,000 miles on it. It had the tow package, was super clean, and came with the full warranty package.

We test drove it. I opened that panoramic sunroof. And that was it. It felt like mine.

We ran the numbers—it was in our budget. We added gap insurance, full bumper-to-bumper coverage, and sealed the deal. 🥹

Reflections: Finding Joy in the Journey

Car shopping is stressful, especially when it feels like you’re gambling with reliability and budget. But I can honestly say, this car-buying experience ended on a high note.

The Subaru Forester checked every box: family-friendly, safety-focused, sunroof-blessed, and practical for future backup if the Pathfinder ever calls it quits.

For now, I’m just enjoying the breeze from the sunroof, the extra legroom, and the peace of mind.

And if the Pathfinder ever retires? Who knows. Maybe I’ll go full circle and get that Mustang after all… or maybe another Subaru. I’m a bit hooked now. 💙

🛠 Have You Had a “This Is My Car” Moment?

Let me know your favorite car-buying memory—or your dream car—in the video comments! Would you skip a great car just because it’s black in Florida? 😅

Until next time, I hope your day is full of sunshine and smooth rides. See you tomorrow.