What Car Shopping Taught Me About Enthusiasm
Introduction
Oregon seems to be a state that stirs the inner car affliction. A few weeks back, I drove the Mustang, and I drove the Miata in March. Both times this was in Oregon, and both were convertibles. So, it is time to act on these desires and pursue that fun car. I am reminded that there are many fun cars out there. I have tried to suppress the desire, but this is where I am today. I cannot fight who I am.
My Test Drive
I read about the GR86 and BRZ, oh, these things are gr8ter than the Miata…. and so I might want to try the Breezy or the Tony the Tiger and see if these cars really are GR8T! They might not be greater than a Miata, but who could resist using the 8 in GR8t?
So, I head over to our local Subaru dealership, and they have a BRZ TS. My Goodness that car is GORGEOUS in person. Subaru and Toyota really nailed it. Personally, I think that the BRZ looks more grown-up. However, the GR86 just looks like that friend who will get you into some trouble; you know you should say no to the mischief, but you’re going to have a great story after the dust settles. So, I like them both, but the smile on the BRZ makes me want to smile back.
The downside of these test rides is that you get 5 minutes driving the car, and then they ask you that question. They want to know how to close the deal. “So, how can we help put you in your car?” However, if they were honest, it would be, “Hey, how about you give us 30K of your hard-earned money after driving this car around the block? Oh, and there are no refunds if you find out you really cannot live with it.” I stepped away from the car and talked to my wife. She thought it was insane to spend 30-some K on a toy. I was like, “.9% financing! It’s the American dream!” She wasn’t buying at my store, and I eventually came to my senses. 30K for a toy? There are a lot of cars out there that are really fun to drive for under 30K and even under 20K if you are patient.
I found several barely used BRZs at a couple of dealerships, but you don’t really save that much money by buying used with these cars. I talked to a contact that I know through one dealer to get some true numbers on the car. We are not close friends, but good enough for him to shoot straight with me. He assured me that the dealer was selling a solid car at a crazy price. In fact, they really were not making money on the deal. I know they all tell you that, but this time it is true.
I told him about my car affliction, and he brought up some great points. Many people buy these cars because they fall in love with them during the test drive. Then the harsh winter comes. The car sits in the garage. You trip over it. You get sick of it, and eventually you sell it. You sell it in an area where people do not want rear wheel drive car because the common mindset is you have to have AWD in the snow. Seriously, people, there are snow tires! They REALLY work!
His suggestion: short-circuit the process and buy a WRX or a Corvette. Corvettes always have a market, and the WRX will sell in Montana if I decide to get another fun car. So, I started focusing my research on WRXs. I love the rally heritage of the Subaru WRX, but I pointed out to my buddy that I don’t want to vape and really don’t want to smoke weed. Or I could be in the 1%ers who drive the WRX… Come on… that was funny!
Will the WRX Work?
I moved from the Miata because of the trunk in the GR86 and the BRZ. Realistically, there are only a few months I would go topless. Trust me, my local community would pay good money for that NOT to happen. The GR86 and the BRZ do not have the back seat that the WRX has. I still have to transport my broods from place to place. This makes it challenging for the BRZ and GR86. I mean, I could ask my kids to consider amputation, but that might have some lasting life consequences. I figure it is easier to look for a different car.
So, then I drove a WRX! WOW! Those things are fun! I mean, really fun! I know that every time I am pulled over, I will be searched for weed. I prefer the white glove treatment, but in the WRX, the rubber glove treatment is probably more realistic. So, I have to decide if I want to deal with that level of stress.
Basically, the WRX gives you incredible driving pleasure and the ability to share it with people. The car feels a little bit like it is thinking about murdering you, which is sort of fun. However, the car is not so fast that you are going to need a get-out-of-jail pass. That is where Corvettes are dangerous. You go straight from 0 to jail speeds in about 2 seconds. It is an amazing feeling, but lawyers get expensive.
In terms of the WRX, many people will say the AWD is necessary. However, I do not see AWD as the selling point, but for resale in my area, it is going to help. It is going to be easier to unload a WRX rather than a GR86. In the meantime, I want to drive different generations of Miatas and spend some time behind the wheel of the Suyota Toyburu GR8T BRZ before pulling the trigger on one. They seem like wonderful cars, but 5 minutes and, “So, how do we get you in this today?!” I told them, “Free, and I would definitely want to take it home today.” They did not think that was a good business model. I also encourage salespeople not to use cheap pickup lines on customers.
Whatcha Learn in this process?
Well, I learned that I can be very indecisive. I enjoy the hunt, but do not always like pulling the trigger. I do not like parting with money. There is a reason George Washington wears sunglasses. Benjamin knows he is never coming out to play. This is my psychological hurdle that causes existential angst. Ironically, a drive will fix this. Ah, the vicious cycle begins.
Car Edge is really cool! It is one of the best tools out there. I plan to do a review and video on that service because it not only saves you money, but also time. This takes a lot of dealing with the dealership stress out of the equation.
I have learned that driving is amazing. Yes, I love RC cars. There is a joy in watching those things run, controlling them, it is like virtual racing with great reality. However, driving is therapy. I like finding new places and exploring different destinations. There are a lot of great things out there.
I learned I still love my 4Runner. I smile when I drive from place to place to look at cars. It is not fun like a sports car, but more like a lumbering mass, or a Golden Retriever just wants to say hi to everyone. It gives you a feeling that you can go over any hill or arrive at any destination. It just requires patience to arrive at your goal.
Conclusion
I think there are those who have cars or motorcycles in their blood. Some people see the vehicle as more than just a mode of transportation. The test ride itself is like the first introduction, but unfortunately, it is not like the first date. It is a wonderful way to get the contact information, but you still don’t know if it is the right one. When this affliction is in the blood, driving is an experience. It is an opportunity to bond with the machine. It is the chance to drive the familiar road and stop at that faraway greasy spoon only because it is there. The food may not be the best, but the experience of getting out there is what brings the smile. The joy of sharing the ride and meal with a friend or significant other is what keeps bringing you back.
Go out and make the time to drive. Do you have any good road trip stories? Share them in the comments. Thank you for reading! Remember to use social media to be social.