Tuesday, January 13, 2009

fast cars and freedom...

i learned something about myself recently. well, i've actually always known it to be true, but could never put a name to the behavior. it's something that lies dormant most of the time, not letting others in on the secret, but every once in a while it makes itself known. you see...i am an "autophile", or a car enthusiast. i know that this is probably pretty rare for a girl, but i love cars, everything having to do with cars. i credit this to my father, because whether he realizes it or not, i would consider him to be an autophile as well. he is always pointing out cars on the road, classic cars...thunderbird, barracuda, ford fairlane. he can tell you the make, model and year. and, while i can't claim this same prowess (i'm pretty good with makes and models, but years not so much) i find myself noticing cars and sometimes pointing them out, generally to people who could care less.

i was asked a while back..."if money were no object and you could have any car, what would it be?" easy...1967 Shelby Mustang...you might recognize her as "Eleanor" from the movie Gone in 60 seconds (consequently the only nicholas cage movie i can sit through, and that's only because of the cars).


what brought on this sudden realization? about a week ago, i was driving with my sister and we passed a car lot. out of the corner of my eye, i saw it, as if there were a light shining on it. i didn't know what it was at first. all i knew was that it was BEAUTIFUL! after some research i found it...the new Dodge Challenger (when i was buying a new car last year, had i known that this existed, the outcome might have been different).


something in my response to this car triggered my revelation.

so, you might ask...what does an avid car enthusiast drive? if i were the kind of autophile that could actually work on cars, i might drive my 1960's mustang. but, since i'm not, and the new mustang seems slightly impractical, this is what i drive...


a 2007 Nissan Murano (the deciding factor...the salesman opened the hood and i saw this beautiful, clean, V6 engine and then i started her up and she rumbled to life...SOLD!) but, i firmly believe that someday, when love wins out over practicality i will drive my mustang. someday!