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Today:
Driving a BIG American Car
Posted: Feb 26, 2008 in Things to do
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My grandmother's car was just sitting there. Nobody driving it; nobody wanting a 1994 land yaht. Nobody but me.
I recently sold my house (well ... I had to do a short sale because I tried to sell it outright for three years but I never had a single offer) and decided to cut hard, really downsize and achieve the freedom of zero debt. Since I no longer needed my pickup truck, I sold it to Carmax, paid off the loan and now I'm driving a vehicle that has its own zip code for a while.
I have to tell you, that after the initial giggly, "oh my gosh could I be any more uncool" feeling passed, I started to understand why people choose a full-size car. I will say that it is sometimes a shock to turn the wheel and wait a couple of minutes for the front end to react, but the ride is so smooth and comfortable.
I also enjoy the looks from people who know they are cooler than me. It's funny how much of a status symbol a car is in society. When I drive my pickup truck, I think people look at me as pretty blue collar. In grandma's car, I feel like people think I'm trying to be ghetto or just really, really lame.
I think I need to find a custom bumper sticker joint to make me a sign that reads, "Go Ahead, Laugh. But I'm debt Free!"
One of my favorite cars I ever owned was a '91 Crown Vic that I bought at a police auction. This was when the Crown V's were still squarish and big as a World War II destroyer. Smooth ride, great for highway driving (which I was doing a lot of in those days), and lots of power.
Mileage actually wasn't too awful, about 17-18 around town and close to 25 on the highway.
There is something vaguely comforting about owning a beater. You never worry about getting dings or somebody breaking into it. When other drivers see your big hunk o' metal rolling at them, you can watch as they get out of the way.
I finally traded it in on a new car, and got the princely sum of $300 for it.
I had a 79 White Ford LTD - that thing was as big as a city. It was awesome. I used to drive in the fiercest snow and ice and never worried about sliding. You are right - smooth ride and TONS of power, for it's size my car had lots of pick up. I loved that car - I sold it to some guy from Allison's who bought it for his kid. We spotted it at 38th and Meridian one day.
In a perfect world where money is no object, one of the cars in my garage would be an early 60's, black, Lincoln Continental convertible to cruise around in. The rear suicide doors were an awesome design element on that car.
I could care less about what car I drive.. I have a 97 honda civic that sits out in front of my house. I usually bike/walk/bus places.. If you think people look down on you for driving a beater, try being a pedestrian... I get looked at like a second class citizen.