Daily Podcast: Time to Drive

Justin Berkowitz
by Justin Berkowitz

Many years ago, while riding a water taxi in Venice, I asked the pilot if he ever went onto the Terraferma (mainland) – and if so, if he needed a car. His answer? Yes and no. In the canal parts of Venice, you don’t (and can’t) have a car, but in his case, driving was purely for passion and fun. On Sundays, my friend would travel to the mainland and pull his Ford Focus ST 170 out of a garage. And then he’d drive the hell out of it. “Why not a diesel?” I asked daftly. “Because I’m driving for fun! Not best l/km!” Yes, our nation depends on them to get from A to B, especially when the bus-train-bicycle doesn’t do it for some reason. But for me, driving is about fun first and foremost. That’s why I put up with unreliable new cars (my GTI) and unreliable old cars (just wait a few weeks till I announce the new member of my car family). That’s why Liebermen ended today’s podcast by saying he was going to go out and enjoy the Pontiac G8 GT he’s got this week. And now it’s my turn.

Justin Berkowitz
Justin Berkowitz

Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.

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  • Jimmy2x Jimmy2x on Sep 04, 2008

    Got to drive my son's S2000 last weekend. Reliable and the most fun I've had with my pants on in a long time.

  • HarveyBirdman HarveyBirdman on Sep 04, 2008

    Jonny, I'm glad your friend listened to you as well as the voters at TTAC. I do admit being surprised that she paid attention; I've had far less luck giving car advice, with my friends seeming determined to do the exact opposite of what I recommend. Looking forward to your G8 GT review, especially given your defense of the GT500.

  • Menno Menno on Sep 04, 2008

    I "had" a car which was supposed to be for "fun" only (since I use what everyone considers to be a totally boring car as my commuter - my Prius). Trouble was, so many Michigan drivers suck SO badly, and my "fun" classic car had absolutely no safety features (being a 1962 1/2 Corvair Monza Convertible) - I said - this is NO fun. And sold it. Just before the economy took a dump. Heh heh. I'm contemplating another classic car now. Something HUGE so if/when the local imbecilic drivers (both women and men) drive into me while they are texting/talking on the cell phone/yelling at their kids/dog/spouse or all of the above, I might have some chance of living through it. Except that huge dinosaur-mobiles are a) inevitably US manufacturers (and I've sworn off if at all possible) and b) not fun. Perhaps a 1994-1995 Subaru SVX? Any other ideas from the TTAC bestests and brightestests? I only have a few thousand to spend on a fun-mobile. An air bag would be nice.

  • Menno Menno on Sep 04, 2008

    I've also considered a 20 year old Mercedes diesel for multiple reasons. Dual purpose (survivalist-mobile - you can put veggie oil in and run it). Could be a back-up car to tow our pop-up trailer. Fun-mobile (ok maybe not "that" fun). Fairly safe. Can be cheap to buy (but not fix). My pal and colleague who sits next to me at work has an air cooled VW as his daily driver and a 1990 Porsche 911 for fun.

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