What makes a really great car? It’s easy to make a guess. Take Ferrari for example. A car company with a long history in racing. A company that knows how to put soul and speed into a car, and keep it looking beautiful.
But although beauty and speed are nice, they’re not always the be all and end all. It’s all about what you know and love.
One of the first few cars I had was a 1991 Volkswagen Golf GTi Mk2. Now considered a classic by many, this early hot hatch was, and still is, one of my favourite cars to drive. I used to be genuinely excited knowing that I was about to drive this vehicle. Being the big bumper model, in black, with its meaty quad light and GTi badged grill, plus the BBS multi-spoke wheels it looked the part in a square-jawed, early nineties German sort of style. Get in, turn the key, its naturally aspirated 1.8 injection engine firing first time every time, it would go from tappety sounding while warming up (as do all the early Golfs), and turn into a low rumble.
Out onto the road, it had instant acceleration with it being the revvy 8 valve, which I always preferred to the 16 valve version for around-town use. It always seemed like it wanted to be hurrying you everywhere and straining at it’s leash, instead of relaxing and going with the flow. It was all square dash inside, but nothing every rattled or broke. Yet seeing the very basically designed rev and speed counters rise quickly as I flew through the five gears made me a very happy man. It wasn’t amazingly fast, but it did handle well for a front wheel drive car.
To me though, I’ll always remember it as a sort of close friend. Reliable, fun to be with, plenty of charm and the rest of my friends enjoying it’s company too.
It’s the same story with many cars. It’s all about soul and character, not just speed and looks. Sure it’s great to have a Ferrari or an Aston Martin, but you can have just as much fun in a Fiat or Alfa Romeo.
Summers day, sunglasses, the keys to your favourite ride. Happy memories.
So what’s your most favourite car you’ve ever owned?
Thus far my car history is as follows:
Late 80’s Honda Accord. I called her Rusty because she was littered with spots just decaying away. This car was totaled when I was hit by a driver under the influence.
1992 Dodge Caravan. A total “soccer mom” van.
1990 Acura Integra GS. This one was fast and fun. Previous owner has souped it up a bit in the Fast and Furious fashion which made it even more fast and fun. I even had one of those big exhausts on it that made the engine sound WAY more beefy then it was. Compensating for something maybe? This car met it’s early demise when I kinda drove it into a cliff side. Oopps.
Current vehicle: 1996 Chevy S10 Pickup Truck. (named Bonnie) Trucks are fun, what can I say? Plus I have lights that go across the top!
Out of the four however I have to say I liked the van the most. Purely for nostalgic reasons. I mean how fun is it to pile 10 people into a van and just drive wherever? Also it was the Band van, we used it to go to shows and hang-out in after said show in attempts to convince groupie fans we were just THAT cool. It also makes the perfect vehicle for a drive-in movie. You can take the seats out and have blankets and pillows in the back, just pure class. Or that one time when at 3 AM we decided to “take it off road” got stuck in the mud a restricted area of a park, and hurriedly (and messily) tried to get it out before the cops arrived….
I know a van doesn’t fit my personality at all but I liked that about it. It was random and we made the most of it. So I agree with you, sure the BMW I’ve been driving around is great with it’s heated steering wheel and all that jazz, but beautiful cars are dime-a-dozen, it’s about what happens in the car that really counts. And let me tell you, breakdowns, or windows that don’t roll down, etc all make for great memories!
P.S> I’m liking the writing, keep it up!
The van I had:http://www.logical-source.com/images/AutoPhotos/DOCA9195.jpg
Nice ride,
I cant think back to a better time when i got my first car. a audi 200 5E TURBO,Yep i no its a while ago, and yes not many people have seen one,but ohh mumma what a car.This led to The Audi Quattro Turbo,the full blown,massive wheel arch type(first to have the digital dash).Not that silly thing on life on mars. What was all that about,Wrong Wrong.. Only thing to this day is, and ill never understand it was the silly 15″ alloys that came as standard.That said ive owned every car ive ever wanted,EVO 7-WRX STI PRODRIVE SCOOBY-BMW M3-MOTOR SPORT M5-BMW – M3 LEFT HOOKER-GTI GOLFS-330CI BMW SPORT-SUPRAS X2..Ect ect ect god if i put them all down id have to take a day off just to remember them in order.To get back to the audi its got to be the best car ive owned for looks, performance,style,and just the sheer out right balls of the Germans to build summit like that back in the day.Without that car the rally scene would be a very dull place..What nutt thinks ,i no lets shove 600BHP under the bonnet,and see what its like in the mud..Bonkers..If and only if i can ever afford one of these beasts again id need 15k …Donations to steveo (i miss my audi .com )hahah pics to follow..
Thanks Steve.
Chris
Nice eh.
Chris
Thanks for your short story Brandon. Nicely written too.
Chris
Chris!
You’re speaking my language with this piece! Supercars are easy to love and oh – so lust inducing. But owning a real affordable car which makes you thrilled to drive… That is driving nirvana.
I drive a 1990 Nissan 300zx. Worth very little now (And it’s 20 years old!) but every time I drive it I’m in love again.
Oh… and I applaud your GTI. Long live the Hot Hatch.
Thanks for the insightful comment! Well written. I love the Nissan 300zx. I drove a twin turbo version once. That thing will have you in a ditch with even the tiniest bit of acceleration if you’re not careful.
Great car!
Chris