I had an interesting conversation this morning with one Mr. Justin Berkowitz. Among other topics we discussed the fact that most people are happy with their own, personal cars. As car scribes, we have the luxury of ripping apart $44,000 BMW convertibles because, well, we didn't buy 'em. But on the purchaser's part, how much of this is psychological? As is often pointed out, an automobile is the second most expensive item you will buy. Or, if you live in New York (like Justin) or Los Angeles (like me) a car is by far the most expensive good you can afford (though I did see a lovely 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom for the reduced price of only $640,000 the other weekend...). Years ago a friend of mine bought a 2001 Ford Escort. Horrid, nasty little thing. Ugly, slow, worst build quality imaginable and awful to drive. I told her, "Don't buy that." But, she did. And even after multiple "issues" she still claimed that she loved it and even shed a tear when it was totaled while parked by a drunk. Or pretended to. Now, for my part, I love my car. It's in fact my second WRX wagon (a 2006) and the more press cars I drive, the deeper I fall head over heals. And I can't believe anyone drives anything else. Now, am I that much smarter than my fellow man, or just blind in the face of love? And what about you and your car?
Yes, but I'd love a 911 more - does that make me shallow!?
I love my '99 Accord 5-speed stick. Its' peppy, economical, reliable, and I can toss it hard into corners. The shifter snics nicely. I've even come to like the way it looks, although objectively speaking, it's a pretty boring-looking car. Of course, I've tweaked it mildly in ways that add a little personality. I made cruiserline ventiports from magnetic vinyl-like material. I added a leather steering wheel cover. And I keep a rubber snake on the dash with a cigarette in its mouth. (No, I don't smoke.) I can drive much hotter cars without feeling disappointed when I get back into my chariot. The most important thing is that it feels good to drive.
It depends on the driver. For the enthusiast, the person who enjoys the act of driving, love is without a doubt bound to happen. You love your car. You bought it, you know its flaws, its foibles, its tragedies, and its triumphs. I don't think it's a blind love in this case. I have a car I absolutely love but I know it's a far cry from perfect. Ownership counts for a lot; you love it because it is yours. For the non-enthusiast, the person who straps his/herself into a car to get from point A to point B, love is questionable. I mean you said it, JL, in your anecdote above - the car was totaled and not a single tear shed. That's as cold as ice, Rick James. This isn't love, it's the kind of love you tell yourself you're in it for the kids. Here's where the blind love exists, blind, unaware, mute, deaf, sure - the whole bit.
I like my Saturn SW2 well enough for what I paid for it. The ride's a little bumpier than I'd prefer, it's kind of loud at freeway speeds, and even at low speeds there are too many rattles and squeaks, but it handles well, it gets good gas mileage, and it's reasonably peppy. I don't know that I'll truly love any car I own until I can afford something a little nicer.
I only love some of my cars. I do like them all (or else I wouldn't have bought them). The ones I love are the ones that have been beat on for 20 years and 200,000 miles and are now irreplaceable because of all of their "character".
I have a 2001 Focus ZTS that I loved when I bought it new, but now am hoping something will happen to it so I can get a new car. I have fallen out of love with it. I haven't washed it in probably a year. It's been fairly reliable, but has some issues now. If I could get rid of it tomorrow and get something else, I would. Only a lack of $$$ is keeping it in the family right now.
I love my cars until they break. And when they're fixed, I'll love them again.
I love my 2006 V70R, but I love it for what it is, not what I'd like it to be. Would I love an Audi RS6 Avant more? Probably. But all the same, a 300HP AWD wagon with a row-it-yourself 6 speed? What's not to love?
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