I can feel it coming. The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising, spring is upon us. Every year as winter puts itself in the rear view mirror, something inside me gets triggered, and it makes me long to change my automotive situation.
This year, contrary to years past, I find myself shackled having committed myself to a 3 year lease on a perfectly adequate vehicle. Probably for the best, to save me from myself, but not enough to control my vehicular wandering eye.
Especially strong as the weather improves is my desire to rekindle my romance with a convertible. Fiercely impractical from its wobbly structure to its mostly unusable (if even present) rear seat, there's just nothing quite like top down motoring. I gave up my latest flirtation with an open top automobile a couple of years ago in the name of practicality (more doors, more space and all wheel drive). My 2005 Saab 9-3 convertible was one of the best cars I ever owned. A powerful 2.0 liter turbo engine and the ability to let the sun shine in through the motorized roof in about 20 seconds all with stylish good looks, a comfortable ride and a cozy leather interior. Some thought I was out of my mind to buy a used (6 years old with 95k miles) Swedish convertible, but surprisingly it turned out to be one of the most reliable cars I ever owned with hardly any issues during the three years I owned it (one of my longest car ownership experiences to date).
Sadly, when it comes to scratching this itch, I know it is not to be (for now :-) ) but while my mind knows this, my mouse hand still directs my browser to Craigslist and Autotrader to waste time looking at what will not be. Sad, I know.
Care to share any of your favorite past rides?
Not a past ride but a ride I have longed for is a Honda S2000. Very impractical 2 seater sports car, also convertible. Something about the little pocket rocket size with it's 240hp 2 liter revving to 9k rpm on a back twisty road has always tickled my fancy. Being they are discontinued now and my growing family discourages only 2 seats this dream will most likely stay just that, a dream. Oh well, one day I may find a new car that scratches this itch but for now I will stick with my dependable, practical subie. It is fun to look and dream though.
ReplyDeleteSince I have pretty much only driven a Golf since 1998 I can't really say I miss any of my pasts cars, though I do miss my TDI. I can tell you what cars I hated in my brief detachment from VW, I had a Mazda Protege5 that I wanted to dump in the river and often told lots of mechanics this. But nothing beats the Daewoo my parents lent me after my honda got stolen. That car....it hated itself.
ReplyDeleteIf I was to dream big and get any dream car I would have to go with a Cadillac CTS Coupe. I don't like convertibles (hair in face is annoying), I don't even like having my windows down. So a nice sporty coupe is where its at.
My favorite ride only has 2 wheels. :) I got a new bicycle this month. It it is mint green with tan wall tires and cork wrap handlebar tape.
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