QOTD: Can You Justify Your Love?
Yesterday, we explored what happens when people ask you for automotive advice. Today, I'm asking you to self-audit. In other words, you can dish it out, but can you take it? I'll start with myself. I drive a 2006 Subaru WRX Wagon. It's electric blue. OK fine. Subaru Rally Blue. But not because I entertain high-flying rally day dreams; the car's so ugly to begin with, what's the difference? I chose the Subie because it gives me fairly serious performance for just $25K. And even though I'm childless and unmarried (as far as I know on both fronts), the WRX five-door has the utility I need. I play bass and have a big amp (or so I've been told). I also brew beer; I often find myself needing to haul gallons and gallons of beer around (externally). The WRX's beer-hauling record: five 15.5 gallon kegs, a two-tap jockey box, a five lbs. CO2 tank and my best friend's wife. Uh, forget that last bit. Anyway, am I thinking about the new 5-door STI? Almost daily. And now, can you justify driving what you drive?
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This is easy. My wife has a 2008 Civic SI Sedan for carting around the herself and baby, I have a 2006 BMW Z4 for road trips with me and my wife (the trunk is a massive 9 cu. ft., we can do a 5 day weekend to the beach no problem), or sunny days around town, and a 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo to play with (and hey, it also has 4 seats . . sort of . . AND a hatch back - that's totally practical). All totally justifiable in my warped mind. I'm pondering a winter beater as well - I'm torn between a TT Quattro or a 964 era Carrera 4.
xantia - you made the right decision. The new GTI can't even come close to the Civic SI in terms of precision or driving enjoyment. We drove both extensively. The GTI is a nice docile little car, the SI makes every drive feel like a Grand Prix. And that shifter . . . so sweet. And lets not even get into the reliability issues (I've owned 5 Civics with 0 problems, one VW with a billion problems and one Audi with a billion problems).
I recently switched out an 05 C-Class for a new G35S 6MT and I do get asked to justify leaving a “Mercedes” for an Infiniti. My own rational in order of importance: 1. More hoonage 2. Improved luxury interior 3. Safety 4. Reduced cost of maintenance 5. Decent Gas Mileage 6. Low emissions Personally I felt it’s the best value for a luxury sports car at the price. What I tell everyone else: “Because I wanted it.”
Thanks, LUNDQIK - I'e been really happy with the Si, driving it like I stole it. I was all set to choose the GTI until I drove the Civic and experienced the sweet & precise gearbox and perfectly placed pedals. I looked at a "Mazda MAZDASPEED Mazda3" as well and wasn't impressed with the coal hole interior & toilet plunger-feeling gearstick.