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?
Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.
More by Jonny Lieberman
Comments
Join the conversation
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.