My girlfriend was very specific about our next car - it needed to be a Hyundai Tucson because neither one of us had enjoyed a spacious car in years, and the Tucson has tons of room. It needed to be Kiwi Green because she insisted that it "match" the car she'd driven for 10 years - a Kiwi Green Hyundai Accent. I really just wanted a car, any car, any color... But we'd be sharing this car and splitting the cost, so I accepted her specifications, only to discover that finding a green Tucson - used, under $15,000, under 50,000 miles - was no easy task. After a while though, I really enjoyed the seemingly fruitless search for this elusive car. I test drove some non-green Tucsions along the way and really liked the size, the sturdiness, the feel, the look, the sound (it's quiet for a small SUV), and the handling. And I had to admit: Green was the best color. So when we finally found a used 2013 (in 2015) Kiwi Green Hyundai Tucson with 46,000 miles just 30 miles from home, we wanted it so badly that we broke the below-$15,000 rule (it was $15,600). But we haven't regretted the decision. And the two green cars in our garage totally match.

I have so far been overly happy with the Tucson. I was at first concerned for the small size of the trunk, but once I ditched the giant stroller, it's perfect for my current needs. With a sleek black leather interior and equipped with heated seats, it really gives you a luxurious feel. When you pop it into slap shift, you can enjoy the benefits of shifting manually without the drag of a clutch and all the pleasures of a six speed. Gas mileage is a worry of the past with push button ECO mode. I notice very little loss of power, which is pretty impressive. Although it looks small on the inside, it is very roomy being able to fit length wise my 6'4" from with ease and even a few tall friends in the back. With a two year old in tow with me regularly getting in and out of the car seat without struggle is a huge issue. The Tucson is the perfect height to have her climb in by herself, and I can easily strap her in without any strain on my back. When I go to upgrade in a few years, I know I'll just get a new Tucson.