The V&R Machine Ownership Diary: A Year In

The V&R Machine – our 2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring AWD “Company Car” – has been a valued asset into the New Year. And, now, it’s coming up on its first anniversary as part of our permanent vehicle fleet. 

I had the V&R Machine for a few stints leading to its first birthday. 

One stint in the V&R Machine began as I was discharged from an extended time in the healthcare carousel. Another surgery, another hospitalization, and another round at rehab – if you call it that. It was prompted into service to regain some momentum upon my return home. Running errands and a grocery run. It was so satisfying getting back behind the wheel. 

As I was in the healthcare chasm, George renewed the tabs on the CX-5. He also finished stickering the C-pillar glass panes, as well as to give it an oil change. A run to a tire store yielded a balance job with the Michelin X-Ice tires to make sure there no resistance to their movement.

However, one of the decals did not make it through a car wash. A replacement for the Midwest Automotive Media Association oval sticker was affixed with a new one. Hopefully, this will last. 

I also renewed the disabled parking pass for the V&R Machine through the end of June. Did I tell how well the CX-5 accommodates a disabled person? 

One major modification was made to the V&R Machine – a front and rear dash cam. George installed it and he reported that it was quite the challenge. There seems to be a rise in the purchasing of these devices as a way to record an accident or movement against the vehicle. I would be curious if it will work as intended. 

Weatherwise, the Twin Cities did not receive a lot of snow before the New Year. Just barely an inch through mid-December. The temperatures have been above normal. The concern is on the winter tires whether they can manage through the rest of the winter season. 

Then, the snow finally arrived. A few inches overall, but just enough to test the Michelin X-Ice tires on the CX-5. Even with residual ice on the side streets, these tires gripped very well and are quiet. They helped when braking with the right amount of grip for sure stops. 

George had the oil tested to see whether it worked with the V&R Machine. Conducted by Blackstone Laboratories, the oil analysis came back clean and showed that the wear on the engine was normal for its mileage. 

The oil analysis test was made because we took delivery of the vehicle as a Certified Pre-Owned, there was a concern whether the vehicle was maintained properly prior to its return to the dealership for resale. As George is doing the oil changes, we have more control of what we put into the CX-5’s engine. That included using factory oil and filters – the good stuff, not the inexpensive kind. 

After a nice run of press vehicles to work with, the CX-5 returned to Saint Paul for larger tasks. One such task was to take us to the Chicago Auto Show. For our 898-mile roundtrip, the CX-5 delivered on transporting George, me, our luggage and gear, to work the show floor. It sat in the ramp…er, garage…right at the Hyatt Regency hotel at McCormick Place diligently and safely. 

With a slew of vehicles coming through the first four months of the year, the V&R Machine was utilized mostly by George. He did not make any major solo drives in it. Neither did I when I had the CX-5. Just some errands and a few work-related runs. The latter included driving to cover a Minnesota Wild game in downtown Saint Paul. Not much of a drive, but it fulfilled a few perks of the day job. 

In the meantime, there really isn’t much to report as the V&R Machine has been in our possession for a year. It has turned into a useful, handy vehicle that supports what we do in this business. 

It has been through plenty. Not to recall what it has gone through, but a measurement of owning a Certified Pre-Owned Mazda was really a pleasure overall. The experience has been a lesson in vehicle ownership – something we hoped to convey with these posts about the V&R Machine.

In all, we put on 10,269 miles since taking delivery of it. The odometer sits just above 26,000 miles. We did out on the miles over this time in the name of this work and other related items for both George and I.

This 2021 Mazda CX-5 has fulfilled its mission during its first year with us. What will its second year with us bring? Keep your eyes on this space…

All photos by Randy Stern and George Torline