By Jonny Lieberman
May 16, 2008 -
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 cars. As car scribes, we have the luxury of ripping apart $44k BMW convertibles because, well, we didn't buy 'em. As RF often points out, an automobile is the average person's second most expensivepurchase. 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 two bedroom, one bathroom for the reduced price of only $640k 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. Even after multiple "issues," she still claims she loved it. She even shed a tear when it was totaled. Me, I love my car. It's my second WRX wagon (a 2006). And the more press cars I drive, the deeper I fall head over heals in love with my own car. I can't believe anyone drives anything else. Now, am I that much smarter than my fellow man, or just blinded by love? And what about you and your car?
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May 16th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
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?
May 16th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I love my cars until they break. And when they’re fixed, I’ll love them again.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
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.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
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”.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
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.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
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.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
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.
May 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Yes, but I’d love a 911 more - does that make me shallow!?
May 16th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
1998 Impreza L, 194,XXX miles. Love it the same way I love a good pair of boots.
It hasn’t been washed in a year, it’s got dents all over it and it’s beginning to rust…none of which I intend to repair or clean. But if it were a pair of boots, the soles would still be stitched to the uppers tightly, the waterproofing would still work and they’d be nice and warm.
I love and appreciate it when the utilitarian items in my life show obvious signs of age and hard use, yet function as intended.
The only car I can say I had true affection for was my 1981 Volvo 240 DL wagon. Sold it for $500 with 256,000 miles on it, and regretted it. It should’ve become a project car.
-Matt
May 16th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
mlbrown:
or a LeMons car!