I see all these new cars and part of me is amazed at the performance numbers, do-dads, gizmos and luxury appointments rivaling my living room. But....
Then I see a Lambo Countach, Ferrari 355, 308, 328, the old Porsche 911's and a host of 70's muscle cars. No power gadgets or luxuries of any kind. Just pure, visceral, driving excitment in exotic shapes not hindered by current regulations. A Porsche Cayenne Turbo would blow the doors off of each and everyone of these cars, while two kids are watching DVD's in the back and the wife is getting a message in the passenger seat. But good lord, they get my heart pumping! These cars can be had for around the same price as the new Audis, Bimmers and Benz's, many much cheaper.
I looked at a new Dodge Challenger sitting next to a older Ford Explorer the other day and noticed the Dodge's hood was virtually the same height as the SUV. The car has the general shape of a 70's model it was meant to re-create, but is 7 inches higher and 7 inches longer, yet with similar width. Don't get me started on the 3750 curb weight- Holy cr*p!
My D.D. is a Subaru Outback with XM radio, heated leather seats, GPS, faux wood trim and a sunroof the width of a small hot tub. I love that car. But my weekend car is a 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo with 130k miles (I'm currently in the middle of it's yearly full detail- pics will be posted in a few weeks) - I'm lucky to have power steering, windows and A/C. I bought it for $13.5k a few years ago and it's my pride and joy. Not only is it beautiful (to me), but I take it to race tracks around the Southeast and use every bit of it's power and traction. All day long, I pass brand new Caymans, Boxsters, 997's and a whole host of turbo and N/A Porsches at our PCA HPDE events, at speeds over 130mph on the straights and over 90mph in the turns. Then I pack up my tools, baggage, race gear, jack and jack stands in the cavernous hatch and drive home with 27mpg fuel consumption. I know I'm bragging, but it's tough not to gush over that little Porker and there are a ton of cars like it that are just a joy to own and drive.
I love where techology has taken us in the automobile world and I am constantly amazed by the limits being pushed back each year. I also see the cost and dimensions of vehicles going up each year. I have to wonder...at what point will the auto industry jump the shark?
With my new lap top there were a few problems gettin it to see the pics that I had on a floppy from my dig cam! Well I thik it is fixed now!
artaaay2:
