Car, like meeting up with an old frend
Discussion
Some of you may know this. An old friend you've not seen for years, but when you meet up, it's like you were never apart.
I would never have a go at someone for their type of car if they were serious about them. I don't get Morris Minors or MGBs but I appreciate some people do. Each to their own.
I have owned several MGF and TF cars. I sold my last F in 2011 when I got a brand ew MX-5. A year later I traded it in reluctantly for a new Land Rover. Of my cars it was the one woth the most so it made sense to trade it against the Landy.
The MGs are something me and my wife have fond memories of. I had a TF 160, loved the fun to be had with it, but it was a particular F that we loved, had our honeymoon in and which I really regret selling.
A frend of mine (a martyr to a series of the more recent model Alfa Spyders) know of my fondness for Fs and TFs so pointed me in the direction of one for sale. A limited edition, very close to the spec of the one I regret selling.
I went to see it. It was like meeting and old mate. The tension on the door handle the biting point when it clicked open the door. A right turn of the key in the boot lock and it popped open. Talking to the vendor and not even looking, I reached for the bonnet release handle. One handed I opened the bonnet, knowing exactly were the lever was under the shut line.
The sound of the engine starting and that little movement of the wheel that happens at the same time. On the road the gear change just the same, clutch biting point, feel of the aluminium geat stick in my hand, the crap brakes, the way the one touch window operation doesn't work.
It was like an old mate. A good mate you shared great times with.
I didn't buy the car. An absence of service history, a poor crash repair and a lot of rust. There are better nes out there
i am more than aware there are better cars and brands it just felt great being back in something that I felt at home in.
Anyone else feel this about a type of car? You knw it has flaws, you know it's maybe ot that special, but it just does something to you that maes you want to own it, 2CV, Jaguar XJ, Escort, an old 3 seres, Mercedes Renault 21........whatever.
Edited because Steve Jobs put s
t autocorrect in his first gen iPad.
I would never have a go at someone for their type of car if they were serious about them. I don't get Morris Minors or MGBs but I appreciate some people do. Each to their own.
I have owned several MGF and TF cars. I sold my last F in 2011 when I got a brand ew MX-5. A year later I traded it in reluctantly for a new Land Rover. Of my cars it was the one woth the most so it made sense to trade it against the Landy.
The MGs are something me and my wife have fond memories of. I had a TF 160, loved the fun to be had with it, but it was a particular F that we loved, had our honeymoon in and which I really regret selling.
A frend of mine (a martyr to a series of the more recent model Alfa Spyders) know of my fondness for Fs and TFs so pointed me in the direction of one for sale. A limited edition, very close to the spec of the one I regret selling.
I went to see it. It was like meeting and old mate. The tension on the door handle the biting point when it clicked open the door. A right turn of the key in the boot lock and it popped open. Talking to the vendor and not even looking, I reached for the bonnet release handle. One handed I opened the bonnet, knowing exactly were the lever was under the shut line.
The sound of the engine starting and that little movement of the wheel that happens at the same time. On the road the gear change just the same, clutch biting point, feel of the aluminium geat stick in my hand, the crap brakes, the way the one touch window operation doesn't work.
It was like an old mate. A good mate you shared great times with.
I didn't buy the car. An absence of service history, a poor crash repair and a lot of rust. There are better nes out there
i am more than aware there are better cars and brands it just felt great being back in something that I felt at home in.
Anyone else feel this about a type of car? You knw it has flaws, you know it's maybe ot that special, but it just does something to you that maes you want to own it, 2CV, Jaguar XJ, Escort, an old 3 seres, Mercedes Renault 21........whatever.
Edited by wildcat45 on Thursday 9th January 21:18
Edited by wildcat45 on Thursday 9th January 21:22
Edited because Steve Jobs put s
t autocorrect in his first gen iPad.Edited by wildcat45 on Thursday 9th January 21:26
Yes. 7 years ago I went and bought another DC2 Integra Type R (then 9y.o.) as despite running an S2000 alongside a 'sensible' Focus diesel for the previous 18 months, I missed my old 'teg. For the daily commute (given I'd got the S "for the weekends") it was noisier, stiffer, harder to park, less economical and looked pretty naff inside compared to the '04 Focus I'd just sold. And didn't look as professional.
But even driving it on mundane journeys it made me feel...happy, I guess...certainly it put a smile on my face, it felt 'right' to drive, and I felt at home behind the wheel...which I think is what you're getting at.
Sold it finally last year, to get a 4-door family car. Still miss it (despite another Honda in the garage), and would still buy another one if the circumstances are right.
But even driving it on mundane journeys it made me feel...happy, I guess...certainly it put a smile on my face, it felt 'right' to drive, and I felt at home behind the wheel...which I think is what you're getting at.
Sold it finally last year, to get a 4-door family car. Still miss it (despite another Honda in the garage), and would still buy another one if the circumstances are right.
I was talking to a friend's wife about this the other week. 7 years ago I sold them my Dad's Volvo. It was 3 years old with 2k on the clock but after he died it was spare and we had no use for it.
My friend admired it when he first saw my old man driving it. A deal was done and it went to live as his family kid/dog transporter. He replaced it at Christmas with a new XC-60.
They came to visit at Christmas with the new Volvo and his Mrs got talking abotu the old car. "It felt part of us." She said. She said the new car was impersonal - like a hotel room. Smart, comfortable well appointed, but not like home.
I think I will get another F or TF. They are not as plentiful as they used to be, and I am looking at a long trip to get the right one. It may take some time.
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