I have Synaesthesia
Discussion
WHY A NEW CAR, AND WHY AM I HERE
I am 36, living in France, male. For various reasons I feel that I should reward myself, buying myself a present. Before, I have owned a string of XJRs, various MB S-Class sedans, a Bentley 8 and a few Mini Coopers. Now, I have used these for everyday transport, but I am not a petrolhead in the typical sense. I do not to “track days”, and I do not “hoon”. I usually cruise along in a relaxed manner. I prefer auto-boxes, and am a great fan of the GT concept (as in Merc CL, Jag XK, Ferrari 612 and precedessors, Bentley Contis of all vintages). Driving a GT is..well…more on that later.
Cars are very important to me, but as an accessory, because of theiraesthetic appeal, what they say about the owner etc. This leads us to….
SYNAESTHESIA
I am suffering from Synaesthesia, a neurological condition which means that my senses are arbitrarily linked. I can “hear” colours, and I can “taste” sounds. While that may sound funny, or loopy at best, it is annoying. People like me are prone to hypersensitivity to light, sound, smell, touch.
Now add another component - Ideasthesia, defined as a phenomenon in which activations of concepts evoke perception-like experiences. The name comes from the Greek idea and aisthesis, meaning"sensing concepts" or "sensing ideas".
Unfortunately Mother Nature has decided to top this off with a Borderline personality disorder (intense fears of abandonment and intense anger and irritability, idealization and devaluation of others, alternating between high positive regard and great disappointment). Self-harm and suicidal behavior are part of this, and I have to admit that unfortunately both has happened before, including wasting money in a very unreasonable and self-harming way.
I am working in an industry and role which very much enable me to make the best out if this overall condition. Without bragging, I can say that I am probably very successful in what I do exactly because of this condition. Still, life for me is very difficult overall.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME IN TERMS OF CARS
I am very sensitive, even irritable when it comes to – wait for it – the car’s respective positioning in the model range, the smell of the interior, the various details of its exterior design, the alloy-wheel-diameter-to-body-size ratio and other proportions, the font of the model ID lettering on the rear and so on. There are colours which make me feel tired and exhausted (e.g. usually black, some metallic burgundies, whereas plain burgundies are fine). Paint and interior colour combinations can be exhausting, refreshing, provoking. You get the idea by now.
How a car drives interests me far less than…who could have driven it, in which situation, how the world was then. I can smell the fresh but chilly spring air of 1967 when seeing a MB Pagoda. Got it? So, a high-powered GT is something which makes me think of…Geneva, diplomats from the Ivory Coasts, heavy curtains in the Beau-Rivage hotels. The smell of electric radiators in W1 London. Burgundy-coloured passports.
WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR
Originally I was in the market for a Daimler Double Six ca. 1990, the old V12 model. I love its curves, the smell, and the various ideas and concepts it triggers in my mind (far beyond Arfur Dailey etc). I considered various 911models, from 1980 white SCs to 997s. 911s were too common, you see them everywhere. They fit everyone, they do not have a “story”, yes, they are great cars, but not for me. The 6.75 Continental R is not young enough and not old enough. Why does it have these tacky chrome frames around the taillights??
My budget went up from 15.000 EUR to 25.000 EUR to….50.000 EUR which buy you a entry-level AM V8V in mainland Europe. By the way, the “Bond” connection does nothing for me, I simply don’t care about it.
I have been to three dealers now to check out several 4.3 Vantages. Atone dealer, our discussion ended after 5 minutes, me in tears and emotionally disturbed, because the sales guy would simply not listen to what I wanted from him/from the car, he kept on talking about revvs and residuals and whatnot, and he simply did not want to talk about the virtues of coarse vs. fine stitching on the seats. The others were better. I finally drove a 4.3 manual and a 4.3 Sportshift.
The sportshift one was…interesting. I noticed the lack of torque and unwillingness to rev, and the clunky SS operation was…well..actually it was so typical British…I began to love it. The car fitted me like a bespoke suit, very snug, very…right. The sound was…ok..but not enough. Browsing youtube brought up the Arabs-in-London videos. I now know I want that sound. Factory V8V is too shrill, high-pitched…I want rumble.
4.3 VS. 4.7
Thanks to this forum I learned about the various differences about these two versions. It sounds as if the 4.7 would do away with many technical issue sof the earlier model. Still, the revised interior somehow looks less “Aston” and more “mainstream”. Or doesn’t it? In my market, the 4.7 commands a premium of 15-20.000 EUR over the 4.3 (ceterus paribus). Normally, this is when all the experts would debate about facts. I fade out here. But the low-end rev and torque thing is still on my mind.
VANTAGE VS. DB9
I am still unsure. Is the DB9 the “real deal” vs the Vantage being the “Boxster” of the AM range? My mind is occupied with the general concept of owning/driving a V12, the ultimate thing, lovingly outdated, the engine of choice for dictators, fraudsters, international diplomats and industrialists. It has a proper Auto box. And it is somehow much more of a GT. A car that Lino Ventura would drive, in a modern-day version of “L'emmerdeur”, wearing a battleship grey 2-button birdseye suit.
Still, the rear shape somehow looks…dated? Mature? Too old for me?
VANTAGE VS. OTHER CARS
I have also considered other exotic/upmarket cars, GTs in particular.
-The Bentley Continental GT (first edition) is nice, but I am struggling with the shape, which (until its recent face-lift) is somehow not refined enough. My brain registers the lack of connection to the older Bentley, despite the logos all over the car. Mine would have to be in plain dark green /navy blue, both colours are very rare. Then I’d need 20” Mulliner alloys and this very yellow-ish leather (Saffron?). Easily 65.000 EUR in this configuration (the resale silver ones are much cheaper).
-The Maserati Grandturismo sounds great – the sound has a very strong impact on my emotions; when a “S” drove by (needless to say on agrim day in London) I began to shiver and cry, I got a headache (can be both good and bad). Still, the interior is very “common” (as in “normal”, “standard”)and could easily be in a Volvo, as the rear lights. Somehow no, but I don’t knowwhy.
-RR Corniche ca. 1987, must be slightly-lighter-than-navy-blue. Leftfield choice. I know. But the smell. This is Cap Martin, a briefcase fullof banknotes, a gun. Which gun?
THE “OUT” LIST
-Japanese: lacking soul/emotion
-Corvette: doesn’t fit into my lifestyle
-MB SL: dentist’s car
-Jag F-Type: no. No.
-Ferrari/Lambo: cars for Doug Heffernan’s “Ticket to Paradise” moments, for “swooping” girls like G Manifesto. But not for me. Well maybe a 612 in grey. But..then again, why not. No.
- Anything "Vintage-Iconic": no MGBs, E-Types, Simon Templar Volvos and so on.
SUMMARY
I think (do I know? Am I sure?) I want a grey(no: racing green! Or not?) Vantage Sportshift 4.7 with a Quicksilver Supersport exhaust. But…Should I double my budget and go for a…for a…mh…or should I ditch the whole idea altogether and buy me a…
...a PROPER OLD MASTERS PAINTING, preferably a grey-dominated scene like THIS:
http://www.jeanmoust.com/index.cfm?page=Recent-Acq...
That would be something I would never get tired of, for the rest of my life.
I would be really grateful for your comments, and I know that I have probably burdened you with a story which is quite different to the “What Car” threads in this forum. Thanks again for your understanding.
Kind regards
Guy
I am 36, living in France, male. For various reasons I feel that I should reward myself, buying myself a present. Before, I have owned a string of XJRs, various MB S-Class sedans, a Bentley 8 and a few Mini Coopers. Now, I have used these for everyday transport, but I am not a petrolhead in the typical sense. I do not to “track days”, and I do not “hoon”. I usually cruise along in a relaxed manner. I prefer auto-boxes, and am a great fan of the GT concept (as in Merc CL, Jag XK, Ferrari 612 and precedessors, Bentley Contis of all vintages). Driving a GT is..well…more on that later.
Cars are very important to me, but as an accessory, because of theiraesthetic appeal, what they say about the owner etc. This leads us to….
SYNAESTHESIA
I am suffering from Synaesthesia, a neurological condition which means that my senses are arbitrarily linked. I can “hear” colours, and I can “taste” sounds. While that may sound funny, or loopy at best, it is annoying. People like me are prone to hypersensitivity to light, sound, smell, touch.
Now add another component - Ideasthesia, defined as a phenomenon in which activations of concepts evoke perception-like experiences. The name comes from the Greek idea and aisthesis, meaning"sensing concepts" or "sensing ideas".
Unfortunately Mother Nature has decided to top this off with a Borderline personality disorder (intense fears of abandonment and intense anger and irritability, idealization and devaluation of others, alternating between high positive regard and great disappointment). Self-harm and suicidal behavior are part of this, and I have to admit that unfortunately both has happened before, including wasting money in a very unreasonable and self-harming way.
I am working in an industry and role which very much enable me to make the best out if this overall condition. Without bragging, I can say that I am probably very successful in what I do exactly because of this condition. Still, life for me is very difficult overall.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME IN TERMS OF CARS
I am very sensitive, even irritable when it comes to – wait for it – the car’s respective positioning in the model range, the smell of the interior, the various details of its exterior design, the alloy-wheel-diameter-to-body-size ratio and other proportions, the font of the model ID lettering on the rear and so on. There are colours which make me feel tired and exhausted (e.g. usually black, some metallic burgundies, whereas plain burgundies are fine). Paint and interior colour combinations can be exhausting, refreshing, provoking. You get the idea by now.
How a car drives interests me far less than…who could have driven it, in which situation, how the world was then. I can smell the fresh but chilly spring air of 1967 when seeing a MB Pagoda. Got it? So, a high-powered GT is something which makes me think of…Geneva, diplomats from the Ivory Coasts, heavy curtains in the Beau-Rivage hotels. The smell of electric radiators in W1 London. Burgundy-coloured passports.
WHAT HAPPENED SO FAR
Originally I was in the market for a Daimler Double Six ca. 1990, the old V12 model. I love its curves, the smell, and the various ideas and concepts it triggers in my mind (far beyond Arfur Dailey etc). I considered various 911models, from 1980 white SCs to 997s. 911s were too common, you see them everywhere. They fit everyone, they do not have a “story”, yes, they are great cars, but not for me. The 6.75 Continental R is not young enough and not old enough. Why does it have these tacky chrome frames around the taillights??
My budget went up from 15.000 EUR to 25.000 EUR to….50.000 EUR which buy you a entry-level AM V8V in mainland Europe. By the way, the “Bond” connection does nothing for me, I simply don’t care about it.
I have been to three dealers now to check out several 4.3 Vantages. Atone dealer, our discussion ended after 5 minutes, me in tears and emotionally disturbed, because the sales guy would simply not listen to what I wanted from him/from the car, he kept on talking about revvs and residuals and whatnot, and he simply did not want to talk about the virtues of coarse vs. fine stitching on the seats. The others were better. I finally drove a 4.3 manual and a 4.3 Sportshift.
The sportshift one was…interesting. I noticed the lack of torque and unwillingness to rev, and the clunky SS operation was…well..actually it was so typical British…I began to love it. The car fitted me like a bespoke suit, very snug, very…right. The sound was…ok..but not enough. Browsing youtube brought up the Arabs-in-London videos. I now know I want that sound. Factory V8V is too shrill, high-pitched…I want rumble.
4.3 VS. 4.7
Thanks to this forum I learned about the various differences about these two versions. It sounds as if the 4.7 would do away with many technical issue sof the earlier model. Still, the revised interior somehow looks less “Aston” and more “mainstream”. Or doesn’t it? In my market, the 4.7 commands a premium of 15-20.000 EUR over the 4.3 (ceterus paribus). Normally, this is when all the experts would debate about facts. I fade out here. But the low-end rev and torque thing is still on my mind.
VANTAGE VS. DB9
I am still unsure. Is the DB9 the “real deal” vs the Vantage being the “Boxster” of the AM range? My mind is occupied with the general concept of owning/driving a V12, the ultimate thing, lovingly outdated, the engine of choice for dictators, fraudsters, international diplomats and industrialists. It has a proper Auto box. And it is somehow much more of a GT. A car that Lino Ventura would drive, in a modern-day version of “L'emmerdeur”, wearing a battleship grey 2-button birdseye suit.
Still, the rear shape somehow looks…dated? Mature? Too old for me?
VANTAGE VS. OTHER CARS
I have also considered other exotic/upmarket cars, GTs in particular.
-The Bentley Continental GT (first edition) is nice, but I am struggling with the shape, which (until its recent face-lift) is somehow not refined enough. My brain registers the lack of connection to the older Bentley, despite the logos all over the car. Mine would have to be in plain dark green /navy blue, both colours are very rare. Then I’d need 20” Mulliner alloys and this very yellow-ish leather (Saffron?). Easily 65.000 EUR in this configuration (the resale silver ones are much cheaper).
-The Maserati Grandturismo sounds great – the sound has a very strong impact on my emotions; when a “S” drove by (needless to say on agrim day in London) I began to shiver and cry, I got a headache (can be both good and bad). Still, the interior is very “common” (as in “normal”, “standard”)and could easily be in a Volvo, as the rear lights. Somehow no, but I don’t knowwhy.
-RR Corniche ca. 1987, must be slightly-lighter-than-navy-blue. Leftfield choice. I know. But the smell. This is Cap Martin, a briefcase fullof banknotes, a gun. Which gun?
THE “OUT” LIST
-Japanese: lacking soul/emotion
-Corvette: doesn’t fit into my lifestyle
-MB SL: dentist’s car
-Jag F-Type: no. No.
-Ferrari/Lambo: cars for Doug Heffernan’s “Ticket to Paradise” moments, for “swooping” girls like G Manifesto. But not for me. Well maybe a 612 in grey. But..then again, why not. No.
- Anything "Vintage-Iconic": no MGBs, E-Types, Simon Templar Volvos and so on.
SUMMARY
I think (do I know? Am I sure?) I want a grey(no: racing green! Or not?) Vantage Sportshift 4.7 with a Quicksilver Supersport exhaust. But…Should I double my budget and go for a…for a…mh…or should I ditch the whole idea altogether and buy me a…
...a PROPER OLD MASTERS PAINTING, preferably a grey-dominated scene like THIS:
http://www.jeanmoust.com/index.cfm?page=Recent-Acq...
That would be something I would never get tired of, for the rest of my life.
I would be really grateful for your comments, and I know that I have probably burdened you with a story which is quite different to the “What Car” threads in this forum. Thanks again for your understanding.
Kind regards
Guy
Edited by Charvet on Thursday 29th May 21:03
Edited by Charvet on Friday 30th May 06:33
Charvet said:
Just to avoid misunderstandings - this is a serious thread. These mental conditions are really a burden (although I make the best of it). English is not my native language so please excuse any expressions which might not be to the point.
In all fairness that was one of the longest yet most comprehensible 'what car' posts I've seen.I must say I like the suggestion above of a 8 series BMW, with your budget you can be looking at the very best out there though i'd perhaps go for a late 6 speed manual 4.4 V8 model.
Though this being PistonHeads, have you looked at TVRs? did many make it Europe?
Hi Guy,
Very nice read, and very interesting to read about such a rare condition from some one affected.
I can actually imagine your predicament as I had a hallucinogen-induced 'trip' last year (I sincerely was not aware I was ingesting something out of the order) during which I had an out-of-body experience where I saw myself lying there, passed out, with all the other people in the room gathering around, but rather than seeing them, I heard and listened to them.
Everything had become music, every person, the tables, the doors, the windows, everything had its distinct sound that clearly identified it as what it was, and every sound and beat and melody worked together in perfect harmony.
For a long time afterwards I had become very sensitive of colours, smells, tastes.
Would you consider something like a Maserati 4200GT? They can be had for far less money than some of the other options, have an automatic gearbox, is a cruiser, sounds great and looks awesome.
I'd be put off by the rear lights though, much prefer the boomerang ones from the 3200GT.
Very interested to see what you go for.
Also, those paintings are lovely!
Very nice read, and very interesting to read about such a rare condition from some one affected.
I can actually imagine your predicament as I had a hallucinogen-induced 'trip' last year (I sincerely was not aware I was ingesting something out of the order) during which I had an out-of-body experience where I saw myself lying there, passed out, with all the other people in the room gathering around, but rather than seeing them, I heard and listened to them.
Everything had become music, every person, the tables, the doors, the windows, everything had its distinct sound that clearly identified it as what it was, and every sound and beat and melody worked together in perfect harmony.
For a long time afterwards I had become very sensitive of colours, smells, tastes.
Would you consider something like a Maserati 4200GT? They can be had for far less money than some of the other options, have an automatic gearbox, is a cruiser, sounds great and looks awesome.
I'd be put off by the rear lights though, much prefer the boomerang ones from the 3200GT.
Very interested to see what you go for.
Also, those paintings are lovely!
Wow.
It's slightly irrelevant since you're looking for a car right now, but what do you think of the interior of the Volvo Concept Estate (the front part, shared with the Coupe, but in darker colours there)? What do the knurled aluminium knobs and the plaid headliner and seat backs evoke to you?
It's slightly irrelevant since you're looking for a car right now, but what do you think of the interior of the Volvo Concept Estate (the front part, shared with the Coupe, but in darker colours there)? What do the knurled aluminium knobs and the plaid headliner and seat backs evoke to you?
Charvet said:
I am very sensitive, even irritable when it comes to – wait for it – the car’s respective positioning in the model range, the smell of the interior, the various details of its exterior design, the alloy-wheel-diameter-to-body-size ratio and other proportions, the font of the model ID lettering on the rear and so on.
Nothing there differentiates you from 90% of this forum ;0I have nothing as exotic as synaesthesia but I can tell you that a yellow Skoda Fabia with an italic/comic sans numberplate makes me ROAR!
What about an old Bristol, or a Morgan Aero?
They have the materials, the textures and the past life(styles) associated with them. And might be hard to find LHD exapmles.
The Morgan might be a stretch on budget, though. Maybe a Wiessman?
Or a nice classic Volvo like an Amazon or a P1800 coupe?
They have the materials, the textures and the past life(styles) associated with them. And might be hard to find LHD exapmles.
The Morgan might be a stretch on budget, though. Maybe a Wiessman?
Or a nice classic Volvo like an Amazon or a P1800 coupe?
Edited by dxg on Friday 30th May 02:47
How about something old, knackered and in need of restoration, and have it done yourself, to your own aesthetics? I suspect that in the end, it will not just be down to a model of car, but the actual car itself. The feel of the door, the smell of the upholstery, the way it has aged, maybe even the seller of the car.
I definitely want a - sort of - contemporary car.
When going vintage, the original DBS (must be gunmetal grey then) would be an option, but - like Wiesmann, Bristol and other high-end exotica - this would exceed my budget of 50-55-60.000 EUR by far, when looking at properly restored cars, not bangers.
From the 60ies, a MB Pagoda could do the job (smells like like a spring lawn), but too feminine.
In any case the V8V (or DB9?) ((or Conti GT??)) will undergo modifications. Mostly regarding the interior, in a way that nobody would notice. A nice off-the-peg upgrade are metal butttons for the audio system (they look like the factory ones), a leather headlining (I dont like alcantara, it gives me pressure in my eardrums) and some other things. I LOVE these...how do you call them? These two metal struts in behind the seats, where the coat hangers are attached. Are they metal? They could either be polished or satinized even more.
I also need to put spacers on the rear wheels, the smallest I can find, the track is just a TINY bit narrow, but in a way that...ah, anyway. The wheels in general are a problem. The 2005onwards factory wheels with the narrow spokes are oppressive. The 5 spokes from the Sports pack have a 3-dimensional twist to them and make the car look...it looks/sounds like "Take Five" from Dave Brubeck. Maybe i will have to upgrade to the 2010MY wheels with narrow spokes but with uneven spaces between them.
And I have begun to really like the stupid Sportshift, because of it imperfect and truly British behaviour. I think he/she/it and I could become friends.
When going vintage, the original DBS (must be gunmetal grey then) would be an option, but - like Wiesmann, Bristol and other high-end exotica - this would exceed my budget of 50-55-60.000 EUR by far, when looking at properly restored cars, not bangers.
From the 60ies, a MB Pagoda could do the job (smells like like a spring lawn), but too feminine.
In any case the V8V (or DB9?) ((or Conti GT??)) will undergo modifications. Mostly regarding the interior, in a way that nobody would notice. A nice off-the-peg upgrade are metal butttons for the audio system (they look like the factory ones), a leather headlining (I dont like alcantara, it gives me pressure in my eardrums) and some other things. I LOVE these...how do you call them? These two metal struts in behind the seats, where the coat hangers are attached. Are they metal? They could either be polished or satinized even more.
I also need to put spacers on the rear wheels, the smallest I can find, the track is just a TINY bit narrow, but in a way that...ah, anyway. The wheels in general are a problem. The 2005onwards factory wheels with the narrow spokes are oppressive. The 5 spokes from the Sports pack have a 3-dimensional twist to them and make the car look...it looks/sounds like "Take Five" from Dave Brubeck. Maybe i will have to upgrade to the 2010MY wheels with narrow spokes but with uneven spaces between them.
And I have begun to really like the stupid Sportshift, because of it imperfect and truly British behaviour. I think he/she/it and I could become friends.
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