Auto Eroticism
Walter Moore asked:
If you could have any car -- to drive, not sell -- which would you pick?
My reply:
I love my 2004 Honda Insight, but I would love it more if it were the flying car it looks like. I'd also like a Smart car. They're so cute. I hugged one in Beverly Hills. It looks like a four-wheeled pet.
Gregg took a picture, but we have no idea where it is right now. I really did hug it. It was black and hot pink.
1. Terrafugia
2. Jaguar XK-E convertible
3. 1965 Cadillac convertible
jerry at May 17, 2011 12:22 AM
I love my 2006 Mazda RX-8, but if I could drive anything I'd opt for pretty much anything Ferrari. I've driven a Ferrari before, but I'd love to have my own. I'd also love a Tesla Roadster and a Lamborghini Murcielago and a Bugatti Veyron. All cars my budget has no hope of affording. LOL
BunnyGirl at May 17, 2011 1:38 AM
Large, serious off-road vehicle.
I have precious little opportunity to drive a sportscar to its limits, and have no problem with my subcompact for commuting.
But I would like the ability to haul large things or go on off-road journeys - there are some spectacular trails here in Israel.
Ben David at May 17, 2011 2:19 AM
You like the "Smart" Car? Check out http://homeattherange.16.forumer.com/a/like-the-new-smart-cars_post23542.html
TX CHL Instructor at May 17, 2011 4:43 AM
I dunno. I like my Hyundai, and will probably buy another one. The hybrid Sonata is coming out now, but if I had the dough, I might think about the Genesis or the Equus.
Old RPM Daddy at May 17, 2011 4:49 AM
Amy, I got to drive a Smart 11 years ago, in France. Fell in love with it. Swore I'd buy one as soon as they became available in this country. "They'll never be street legal over here," hubby insisted.
Ahem.
As it turns out, our Honda Civic is still going strong, so we're not going to be buying a new car anytime soon. I'm glad to see that Smarts are now all over the place, including in our neighborhood. My reaction is also to go over and hug them. They're adorable!
Lisa Simeone at May 17, 2011 4:52 AM
My choice: a new Bentley Mulsanne.
dee nile at May 17, 2011 4:56 AM
We nearly bought DH a smart car. Went with a focus instead. The extra mileage on the smartcar was counteracted by the fact they require premium gas.
I'd have a '67 stingray in my fantasy no kids to haul around life. Or a brand new luxed out suburban, in my current life as mom. Or a really nice conversion van.
momof4 at May 17, 2011 5:46 AM
Amy, I could absolutely see you in Smart Car. You could sell it on style alone.
I actually have thought about the "what car, no limits" question and I keep coming back to the model I drive now, albeit in its newest, fanciest livery - the Subaru Outback. But I could also see driving a severely tricked out Mercedes with the serious gizmo affliction.
BlogDog at May 17, 2011 6:01 AM
I love my Kia Sorento. But if I could have ANY car, for my very own for ever and always, it would have to be a 1963 Chevy Corvette split-window coupe (in metallic candy-apple red, white leather interior, please), 302 w/a 2-barrel. Four-on-the-floor. Twice pipes.
(I'm really not a gearhead.)
o.O
Flynne at May 17, 2011 6:49 AM
BMW M3 coupe.
Farmer Joe at May 17, 2011 7:08 AM
A BMW 6-series.
Or I'd have our suburban's fuel system converted into a CNG/gasoline bi-fuel system. For the large SUVs, the difference in price for the hybrid versions isn't really worth what you save in gas.
I know they have similiar programs elsewhere, but in Austin we have a car-share program called Car-2-Go. They have these little blue and white Smart cars that you can just hop in and take wherever, then leave (as long as it's central). You pay a fee to join, then pay a small price per mile (or minute-I don't remember which). We could theoretically get by with just one vehicle that way- whoever has the baby takes the suburban, the other one grabs a smart car.
We've had lots of old cars. (1965 Lincoln Continental, 1963 Lincoln Continental-which we sold last week, 1976 Triumph TR6, an International Harvester Travelall- and currently a 1969 El Camino and an 60's Viking truck) I love 'em, but they aren't practical.
ahw at May 17, 2011 7:12 AM
My paid for, freshly inspected 2002 Honda Civic until it dies. Except for the not very comfortable seats, it is fine for short distances. It has too much road noise for long distances.
Next time, it's going to be a Mazda 3 hatchback, because I trust they will fix the goofy looking front before I buy. The hatch is too convenient to do without. Or maybe the Ford Focus hatchback once they get a bit of a track record. I had a great experience with a Ford Probe, bad ones with two Taurus wagons.
A smallish, but not too small, somewhat but not too sporty, somewhat comfortable hatchback with good enough traction to get me out of New York in winter one time.
MarkD at May 17, 2011 7:32 AM
1959 Cadillac El Dorado convertible. Pink exterior, red and white interior. Had a chance to get one once for a great price and regret to this moment that I did not. Huge, gas sucking and sexy monster of a vehicle.
Carl Pietrantonio at May 17, 2011 7:36 AM
Simple:
Ford GT
http://www.fordgt.org/
Keith at May 17, 2011 7:48 AM
Mazda 3 is a wonderful car. Gregg has the sedan in silver, although he just got rear-ended by some dipshit girl whose insurance had expired. (She didn't pay her bill on time.) Grrrr.
Amy Alkon at May 17, 2011 7:50 AM
Next time, it's going to be a Mazda 3 hatchback...
A good choice given your criteria:
A smallish, but not too small, somewhat but not too sporty, somewhat comfortable hatchback with good enough traction to get me out of New York in winter one time.
I have the hatchback, and it suits all of these well, except perhaps the latter (its wide, low-profile, high-performance tires not great in snow and ice; consider chains). The 3 is a great balance of quickness, handling, style and utility. Gas mileage is only so-so for a small car (maybe 27-28 highway, but I drive fast). Mine is a 2007, and I'm really happy with it.
Back in the day, I could have listed some ideal car here (probably a BMW M-5), but now I just don't care much. Reliable, decent performance, and not so flashy as to attract gratuitous attention from the police is all I want in a car. I've got that.
Christopher at May 17, 2011 8:27 AM
I love my Volkswagen Jetta. It has close to a 100K miles and runs great!! I just love it and would go with Volkswagen again when the time comes. They have a new convertible, not the Bug, that's exquisite!
Kristen at May 17, 2011 8:34 AM
Amy said:
I'd also like a Smart car. They're so cute.
This may be one of those times when you want to engage the rational override to your evolved cuddle instinct. Smart cars may be "cute", but that comes with a huge trade-off in functionality. Says Consumer Reports:
. . . the Smart ForTwo combines flashy styling and clever packaging, though it disappoints with dynamics and overall value. . . .
A car like this should be fun and zippy. Sadly, the Smart is neither. The ride is harsh, and broken urban pavement, this car's natural habitat, pummels occupants mercilessly. The transmission shifts strangely, with pauses and heaves between gears. Handling is not so responsive, and it takes a lot of wheel winding to coax the Smart through corners. The slow, noisy engine makes it necessary to plan ahead when merging into traffic, although once on the highway it can keep up the pace. . . .
Despite its many quirks, the Smart can be rather endearing. But from a strictly practical standpoint, the Smart ForTwo is not so smart.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/first-drives/smart-for-two-first-drive/overview/smart-fortwo-first-drive.htm
If you must have a micro-car, may I suggest a Toyota/Scion IQ
http://www.leftlanenews.com/scion-iq.html#
Toyota has a hell of a lot more experience building micro-cars for the Japanese domestic market than Daimler with the one-off Smart. Toyota delayed the North American introduction of the Scion IQ because of the Japanese earthquake, but it should be available later this year. Don't know if it comes in pink and black.
If you want micro-car cute AND bling, check out the Aston-Martin Cygnet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Cygnet
This is what government Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards create: an exotic econobox. Next, we'll get a Mini-based Rolls Royce. For a $35,000 premium over the mechanically identical Scion IQ, I'm sure you can get it painted any color you like, plus a custom leather interior.
Or you can wait for the Chevrolet Spark/Beat:
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/09q1/2010_2012_chevrolet_spark-auto_shows
Unfortunately, the name "Beat" refers to what the designers did to this car with the ugly stick.
Me? I'll take a Ford Fiesta ST:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/20/spy-shots-2012-ford-fiesta-st-ready-to-back-up-its-big-brother/
Someone who should know told me Ford plans to sell this tricked-out Fiesta in the U.S. It's a "stealth" car. Fast, fun, and practically invisible to those who don't know any better.
Dale at May 17, 2011 9:01 AM
I still have my first car, a 1972 Jensen Healy, though it has been parked for almost a decade now. I want to give it to my boy when he is old enough.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.21dove.com/bbs_baobao/attachment/Mon_0706/11_5485_e906668c4deac97.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.auto-voiture.org/jensen/jensen-healey,5024.html&usg=__QpG0nPfP9nr7XIhN8GgNioEEWbg=&h=557&w=1024&sz=211&hl=en&start=102&zoom=1&tbnid=XJY7-jRnBWJXaM:&tbnh=82&tbnw=151&ei=K57STb23E5K4sAOs48CTCQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3D1972%2Bjensen%2Bhealey%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1020%26bih%3D583%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=296&page=8&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:102&tx=113&ty=43
Eric at May 17, 2011 9:12 AM
Longtime lurker here from Belgium. I used to drive a Smart Car, loved every minute of it! I especially loved the ability to park just about anywhere in the city, as well as the ability to cut in before others as I only needed about half a car's lenght to fit between two cars.
They're not lying about the comfort level, sadly, as I took the car for a 100km-drive once for a city trip and I was seriously sore by the time we arrived.
By the way, just about any car will look like that, wedged between two trucks. I was in an accident once (rear-ended a Mercedes when it rear-ended the car in front of it) and the Smart just literally *bounced off*. Barely any damage to the Smart. I felt a lot safer zipping around after that incident :).
It was a lease and my employer allowed me to upgrade to a full-sized car when I expected my eldest daughter. Otherwise, I'd still be driving it!
EllenM at May 17, 2011 9:53 AM
'66 Mustang.
nough said.
Steve at May 17, 2011 9:55 AM
heh, sorry Flynne, the '63 never came with such an engine... 302 are Ford... earlier 'vettes came with 289... but in 63, 327ci was the spec, and not with a measly 2 barrel carb... you could spec them all the way up to the 327 fuel injected little monster, which was quite quick... and 4 out of five C2's had 4sp trans. so that's to the good. :devil:
It's one of my favorite cars too. ;)
Though... if we are talking anything...
1968 Lamborghini Miura mmmm, Miura.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MiuraP400S1968Fro.jpg
c'mon people dream big!
SwissArmyD at May 17, 2011 10:00 AM
Told ya I wasn't a gearhead!! LOL!
Thanks for the specs, SwissArmyD! I had a Torino with a 302 and a 2 barrel; that baby was smokin'!
o.O
Flynne at May 17, 2011 10:04 AM
Nissan Leaf.
Patrick at May 17, 2011 10:10 AM
For an everyday car, I'll take one that doesn't exist: Jetta TDI Sportwagen 4-motion with a 6-speed manual.
For a money no object fantasy car, 2010 Ferrari California.
I have a Jetta now, and it's a brilliant little car. I've driven it 8 hours at a clip without pain. And it gets 30 mpg at 80 mph. And it goes like stink.
brian at May 17, 2011 10:14 AM
When I need to get away from it all, I uncover my 1959 Porsche Cabriolet (with hardtop off), and drive to anything but a straight road and enjoy.
Dave B at May 17, 2011 10:45 AM
The new Bentleys look great, and girls will give you a blow job in a car like that.
BOTU at May 17, 2011 1:21 PM
I want a Honda Fit so bad I could taste it. (I would continue but I don't want to sound like a commercial...) ;-)
qdpsteve at May 17, 2011 1:29 PM
Aston Martin 177 or DBS or Vantage. Just a fantastic car.
Of course a Jaguar XK would be an acceptable substitute.
Still keeping the Jeep, though.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at May 17, 2011 1:30 PM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/05/17/auto_eroticism.html#comment-2145470">comment from BOTUThe last time I kinda dated a guy for his car (via Matchmaker.com, back around 2000), it was because he drove a Honda Insight. (That wasn't the only reason - he was an actual rocket scientist, who worked at Cal Tech and he was tall and cute.)
People who drive Bentleys seem to have something to prove. I know it's probably a lush and wonderful car, but it still seems like the automotive extension of somebody who feels rather small.
Amy Alkon at May 17, 2011 1:31 PM
Of course, the latest (and utterly unattainable) woman I had a crush on was, last I saw her, driving around in her brand-new, black convertible BMW 328i coupe. So naturally I have a soft spot for one of those too, right now.
qdpsteve at May 17, 2011 1:32 PM
H-1 HMMWV soft top
biff at May 17, 2011 1:32 PM
I don't care, as long as I get the blow jobs.
BOTU at May 17, 2011 2:31 PM
Oh, I could dream big ... but I'll go for something actually as a goal.
1977 MB 450-SL. Silver.
Until then, I'll keep (forever) my '77 280Z. British Racing Green.
jimg at May 17, 2011 11:43 PM
I've always wanted a standard issue Army Humvee
lujlp at May 18, 2011 9:49 AM
George Jetson's Hovercraft.
DaveG at May 18, 2011 9:51 AM
This is a no-brainer: the Ariel Atom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaWoo82zNUA
Hey Skipper at May 18, 2011 6:55 PM
This
http://www.foxnews.com/slideshow/leisure/2011/05/18/2012-shelby-gt350/#slide=1
Now, that's a car :)
Kat at May 19, 2011 4:50 PM
I saw a Smart parked on the street the other day. They are cute. But it only took one look through the window to decide I'm just not built for one. I'm not that tall - a tad under six foot - but I doubt I could get my legs under the steering wheel...
Ltw at May 20, 2011 3:45 AM
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