The V&R Machine Ownership Diary: The Idea of Freedom

The odometer on the V&R Machine – our 2021 Mazda CX-5 Touring team vehicle – reached 30,000 miles. We may be short of finishing the New-Vehicle Limited Warranty, we still have the Powertrain Limited Warranty and the Certified Pre-Owned warranties still in play. 

George has been doing his best to keep up on the maintenance of our CX-5. That included a recent oil change. We are using the factory-spec moly oil and the higher quality factory oil filter to keep up the maintenance on the V&R Machine. 

In our time with the V&R Machine, it has survived Minnesota’s dysfunctional climate. It also had its Michelins – both winter and all-season – stretched between the Twin Cities, Elkhart Lake, and Chicago. 

In all, it is still humming along. The addition of the front and rear dash cam helped tremendously as a safety and security device for it. Both C-pillar glass panes continue to represent the things we are involved with and enjoy. 

Just to assure you that we are not planning on doing anything else for the CX-5 as far as vehicle enhancements are concerned. We’re keeping it stock because we want to focus on sharing the ownership experience on our podcasts and the website.

There is one thing to share in this update. 

We have been often told about the automobile equals to personal freedom. The freedom to go anywhere we want to go – within reason. 

As I was on a break from press-supplied vehicles, I put the V&R Machine to use. Mainly to catch up on some things I wanted to do. 

On one Saturday, I decided to check out a scale model vehicle store east of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The store is located beyond the outskirts of the town of Stanley. The World of Carz offers die cast models from Hot Wheels to 1:18 scale metal ones. In fact, there is an entire room dedicated to Hot Wheels. You wouldn’t think Mattel made so many Hot Wheels models – but, really, they do. 

I knew about this place because one of the car clubs I am a member of wanted to do a run for a meet on a Sunday. Since there was little interest in doing so, the club cancelled it. 

With my curiosity set in motion, I set out for The World of Carz on a hazy Saturday morning. The CX-5 was happily pointed eastbound on Interstate 94 with more than enough construction to keep things interesting.

I did not go alone. Since the V&R Machine was acquired, I meant to bring Boomer (the four-year-old LP Classic conga drum that is my “Emotional Support Musical Instrument”) along to test the practicality of our CX-5. I have done “Boomer Tests” on previous CX-5s to know that you would put the drum in its bag sideways across the cargo hold. Forget loading it in longitudinally – the cargo hold is not as deep as the bag.  

Given this is about a three-year-old CX-5, the leather upholstery has softened over time. This made things easier as I placed Boomer in the back seat. I still had to put down a pillow for his head, drew a blanket over him for thieves not to try to steal a 35-to-40-pound musical instrument, and to buckle him in with the center seat belt. 

In all, the drum made for a great travel companion. He never complained and was secure in the back seat throughout the journey. 

The drive time to the store was about an hour and 45 minutes. In the CX-5, it was time well spent on familiar stretches of road. Wisconsin Highway 29 becomes very rural east of the Lake Wissota exits. That is where Stanley looms. There is not much to see that is scenic. 

When you get to The World of Carz, you will notice how well it pops out on that intersection. The parking area is dirt, which adds to the charm. You can call it whimsical. Perhaps it was Boomer’s spirit that added it to. 

Ahem…anyway…

I left the store with some goodies for the V&R Podcast Studio (the set that George created for our recordings). There was a 1:24 scale Toyota Tundra in the famous off-road racing livery, along with three Japanese 1:64 scale vehicles. One of which was our #VOTY2021 in the PHEV specification. 

Going further afield is something I enjoy doing above all travel, The CX-5 has proven to be a good travel companion whether we travel as a team or solo. Having the V&R Machine at our disposal enables us to utilize it to instill our freedom of movement wherever we go. As one should in any automobile. 

The freedom of movement should not stop with the destination in mind. We often point out how practical the CX-5 is. You can load it up with luggage, mobility devices, video equipment, and Emotional Support Musical Instruments. Then, drive off without any hassle with the Transportation Security Administration, airport or station staff, and other fellow travelers that are absolute strangers who could possibly ruin your trip in a flash. 

Earlier this year, I told George that I would rather not fly this year. I almost did, but the press drive event was cancelled due to complications on their end (UPDATE: It was just rescheduled). We are very fortunate to have the V&R Machine at our disposal in case we need to get away. And, to tell you all about it upon  our return.

Photos by Randy Stern