June
27
Tags
IS Bigger Better?
Howdy, race fans! It has been much too long since we’ve had a chat. Here’s what I’ve been busy with in the last month or so:
- running a law firm
- getting elected to City Council
- rappelling down a 38-story building (again!)
- keeping the dogs from eating important documents (FAIL!)
Rappelling was the easiest.
Now that I am quasi-grown-up and mature and doing things that carry lots of responsibility for others, I am having very concerning thoughts…like, what if I really DO need a bigger, more adult car?
I know. Crazy.
In case you don’t know, I have been a Mini driver since 2004 and the proud owner of a badass Mini John Cooper Works pocket rocket since 2012. I have been philosophically opposed to large vehicles, especially SUVs, for as long as I’ve cared about cars. (I make an exception for trucks. I get it that they have actual utility.)
Occasionally I have seen the benefits of a larger car, despite my small-car syndrome. I have even grown to love a particular 2010 Mercedes-Benz GL450, which conveyed me safely between Austin and San Antonio without fail during that mammoth 8-week trial last fall.
Now, I look at my new roles and my new needs, and I cannot quite get away from the idea that I may need a slightly bigger car.
WHO AM I?
ALSO, I am now convinced that my parents need a bigger car. They drive a cute white 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit (the present-day version is the Golf), which was an awesome value when they bought it in ’07. The Rabbit is a hatchback like the Red Mini, and I still maintain that a hatchback has incredible utility. I’m not worried about my parents having enough cargo space. I want them to be HIGHER off the ground. Because I now think that’s SAFER.
WHAT.
It has always been my position that the Red Mini is quite safe because it’s very maneuverable (which has saved my bacon on more than one occasion) and has a wide, planted stance. Give me that over a tippy SUV or truck any day.
But now I think my parents should be a little further from the pavement.
Hypocrite.
What is happening here? Am I maturing? Was I wrong before? Am I wrong now?
Of course, the most interesting question is…what car should I get? 🙂
P.S. The Red Mini is not going anywhere. She may get a sibling, but she will NOT be traded in.
MOTORista 
Oh wow! The mini has become my dream car recently. I totally agree with you about bigger cars; unless they actually do something, I’m not interested. Thanks for posting!
The Mini is an awesome car! I definitely recommend it, at least for model year 2014 and earlier. NOT a fan of the new bodystyle. Thanks for commenting!
With all your “other” responsibilities, I can’t figure out how you have time to update your blog, but I’m overjoyed when you do. And this post is great! It asks all the right questions. Why do we drive what we drive? And what causes us to change our minds about it?
I think your parents need a limo and a chauffer. They deserve it.
And you need a car big enough to bring all your stuff. Which may include, at times, the complete set of legal documents required to handle an out-of-town case PLUS all the gear necessary to support your current after-work activities (ropes, harnesses, anchors, slings, carabiners, descenders, etc.) PLUS a dog carrier or two should you feel compelled to prevent inadvertent document ingestion.
I believe that everyone needs a little car for commuting, a big car for shopping, and a fun car for off-roading! Unless you can find a car that gets fantastic mileage (for commuting) AND has lots of space (for shopping) AND can drive straight up a sheer cliff (for fun). Here in Michigan, it is also necessary for each car to handle up to six months of snow (Nov – April). I have not found a single car that fits all those categories yet. So I have my Subarus for winter driving and my Grand Am for summer driving (and I used to have a van to fit the family in, but since they’re starting to leave now, we got rid of it). And one of these days, I’m going to get another motorcycle!