The Car Show, Shmar Show...

I am so not a car person. Don’t get me wrong, there are cars that appeal to me and there are cars that make me cringe, but as long as my car works, I don’t really care what it is. My sense of self doesn't live or die by what’s in my drive-way.

My husband is a bit more of a car person. He marks the decades by what was done to a car. I mark the decades by what was being done to clothes. If a car goes by, 98% of the time, he will know what it is.

If I ask him about a car, he will usually say something like, "Well, that must be a '75 Blah, blah, blah, because you see that little strip of chrome on the back window? They stopped doing that in '75..."

If he asks me about a car I will usually say something like, "It was red and cute."

As I said, I am not a car person and I have no need to be a car person. It was just about 3 years ago that I realized “wheels” and “tires” were not the same thing. I haven't slept any better knowing that nor has my life drastically improved.

It’s that time of year though, the time of year for the Chicago Auto Show. Grizzled is not going this year, but was watching a show about it on TV yesterday. He asked me if I would watch with him. I acquiesced. It was probably only about 15 minutes into it though when he told me I didn’t have to watch anymore. Apparently my color commentary was harshing his car mellow. Hey! Carmellow!!! Isn’t that a candy bar? I could get into a show about Carmellows…Caramellos...

… but back to cars. My feelings about cars are pretty simple. First and foremost, they have to work. Second of all, they must have something that appeals to me, some kind of charm about them. This drives Grizzled nuts because when he sees a car he likes and goes through all of the cool things about it, I can dismiss it in one second if the charm is not there. I will never care for Rivera’s. I don’t care how cool that bumblebee rear end is supposed to be, to me they look like bad asses stuck into a pair of Sergio Valente circa '76 jeans . And don't even get me started on El Caminos!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I must admit, I am rather fond of the Infiniti FX45. It looks like an earth shoe to me… the Audi Q7 is also fun. It looks like a Chuck Taylor low-rise Converse shoe to me. When I told this to Grizzled, he said the designers would probably cringe if they heard this. He didn’t think their ultimate goal was to make people think of tennis shoes… $45K tennis shoes. I thought, what does it matter?? I liked it! 

I’ve always been fond of the old VW Bugs as well. They looked like giant peanut M&M’s… that is except for that beige one they had… that one looked like a big toe. I always wanted to see a toenail moon painted on the windshield.

So yes, I guess I have preferences. I would not turn down a Mercedes if someone decided I needed one. I would also gladly accept a Shelby Cobra, but I don't know that I would treat it any differently than I did our Chrysler E-Class from years back. That was a butt-ugly car, but it worked. It got us, our first child and our 2 dogs where we needed to go and it was easy to spot in a parking lot. We lovingly referred to her as the No-Class or the E-Coli. There are days when I miss her.

I have never personally purchased a car. I never really needed one. I either had access to one or lived in places where you walked or took public transportation, and by the time I needed one, I knew Grizzled and he had a car. I believe that is exactly what I told my family when I took him to his first family event. I knew questions would be forthcoming and I just wasn't ready to answer so when asked who he was, I told them he was a neighbor and he was a ride... a good ride.

Even though I am not a car person, I think I would like to at least buy one car that I truly want before I die or before we run out of oil... One car that truly sings to me. One car in some fabulous color, with fabulous lines. A car that makes me smile. And that car could be worth $5000 or $500,000... the price won't affect how much I like it. The only thing I know for certain is it won't be a Riviera. I never like Sergio Valente jeans and my car won't be wearing them either.

 

Comments

[blue girl]

The Skimmer's like Grizzled. Knows all that stuff about cars. He wants to get rid of both of ours in the spring. He's got the itch. Doesn't matter to me. I could drive my stationwagon till it dies. It's got approx. 160,000 miles on it now and I think it'll go for 160,000 more. I almost want to drive it till it dies. Like a badge of honor, or something. But, since The Skimmer mentioned getting new cars the other day, I've been thinking about them.

I love the Chrysler Crossfire and the Audi TT. Wouldn't get either, though. Blue Kid's getting his temps in 7 months and they're both too small.

I've always wanted a Jeep Wrangler. Which seems it might be good for Blue Kid, too. We'll see. The real thought of this whole thing is freaking me out as I type this.

...the thought of Blue Kid actually driving soon. *Not* the thought of getting a new car.

:)

[Jennifer]

Ah yes, the Crossfire is nice!

My brother had a Wrangler and still mourns its demise. :(

[Adorable Girlfriend]

AG had a Wrangler until last year. It was a lot of fun. For a new kid starting out -- probably not the car I would suggest.

AG will not accept a Mercedes. On principle. It was the official car of the Nazis. AG cannot support such history. I know, I know. AG has her feelings.

I love the Audi TT. However, most likely the next AG car will be a Volvo wagon. I like it, it's safe and it can lug things around.

UC will continue to clutch his mbTa card.

[Snag]

AG, if you won't take a Mercedes, I have bad news for you about Audi.

[blue girl]

"AG had a Wrangler until last year. It was a lot of fun. For a new kid starting out -- probably not the car I would suggest."

How come AG? Do tell. Too much fun to tool around in?

AG, I have a Volvo wagon. Love it. That car is a tank. Doesn't have a lot of zip like The Skimmer's Saab, but it's a great car. That's why I'd like to drive it till it dies. Just to see how long it would last.

We had a VW Bug a few years back. Our neighbors are from Germany, well into their 80s. He was some sort of prison guard in the war. Don't know the details. Anyway. When we brought the Bug home he came over to look at it. And he said something like...

"These are nice cars, but I could never own one. People would look down on me."

If that man could wear an American flag suit, he would. He's got American flags everywhere.

[blue girl]

AG, Blue Kid wants me to keep the Volvo wagon so he can drive it. The logo looks like the logo from Austin Powers and Blue Kid says he wants his license plate to say: ShagWagon.

Pshaw!

:)

[Jennifer]

Okay, I would take a Volvo in a second... and I put the wrong Audi Q7 up there. The image I used looks trashy. I like the simpler one.

AG- Are you anti-Mercedes are anti-all German vehicles? I was wondering about Audi as well...

[Karla]

Our daughter, Jennifer's niece, is in need of a new car to replace the big black pickup truck she has loved driving for 9 years. We went shopping with her for Wranglers and the car salesman said that he would not let his daughter drive one. (!!!!) Still concerned about rolling, although they have improved their record on that little problem.

We want to help her find something that is fuel efficient - maybe a diesel - to satisfy Father - REALLY SAFE - cause she is Mom's girl, and a great fashion accessory - which is her criterion. The Wrangler with an extra big set of wheels and brush guards front and back won her heart but it is neither fuel efficient nor particularly safe.

[Jennifer]

I thought she had gotten rid of the truck awhile ago??

[blue girl]

Geez. You would think they would have figured out that whole "roll over" problem with the Wranglers by now.

Well, that one's out.

[Snag]

I went in to pay for a tank of gas a few weeks ago and told the kid behind the counter that the blue minivan was mine. He laughed and said, "That's not a minivan, dude, that's a chick magnet."

Little punk.

[Jennifer]

I just can't do the minivan. It would probably make sense, but I can't. :(

I've heard similar term, that my genteel self will not type here, it was in reference to a Lotus that my husband saw on the street.